Freshmen

We're excited you are considering becoming a Golden Eagle and joining the Tennessee Tech Family! If you’re a high school student getting ready to graduate, or if you have graduated from high school but haven’t yet attended college, you’re a freshman. Below you’ll find information on the admission requirements for freshman and a step-by-step guide to enrollment. 

Interested in scholarships? Visit tntech.edu/scholarships for information on requirements and deadlines.

Admission Requirements

The admissions requirements are listed below. If you are a student who might not meet the admissions criteria below, you still have a chance to be accepted to Tennessee Tech. Tech is home for people who don’t fit the mold and who think outside the box. Tech is a place for anybody who wants to work hard and make a difference in the lives of other people. We believe in you and in your ability to change the world for the better. Your application will be evaluated using a holistic approach that looks at you as a complete person and not just as a combination of GPA and test scores. So if you are worried about being accepted to Tech, we encourage you to apply and to keep doing your best. Wings Up!

Freshman Under 21

• 3.0 high school GPA*

or

• 2.50 high school GPA and
• 17 ACT Composite** and
• ≥15 ACT sub-scores*** and
• completion of a college-preparatory high school curriculum

*Test scores may be needed for placement or scholarship purposes
**Equivalent to a SAT score of 930 (Evidence-based Reading and Writing + Math [ERW+M])
***Exception to this sub-score requirement may be allowed for students scoring sufficiently on the ACCUPLACER exam.

Freshman Over 21

• 2.50 high school GPA and
• completion of US History and Algebra II or equivalent with a passing grade in high school and
• score at least a 28 on the ACCUPLACER exam (test dates and study materials are available on the Learning Support ACCUPLACER page)

Freshman Without a High School Diploma

New freshmen over the age of 21 who do not have a high school diploma can replace the 2.50 high school GPA requirement with one of the following:

• 162 on GED (525+ from 2002 to 2013, 52+ pre-2002) or
• 13+ on the HiSET and
• score at least a 28 on the ACCUPLACER exam (test dates and study materials are available on the Learning Support ACCUPLACER page)

Programs with Additional Requirements

Engineering, Math, Nursing, and Health-Related Pre-Professional Programs have additional requirements for admission. If you wish to pursue one of these programs but do not meet the admission requirements for that program, so long as you meet general admission requirements, you will be admitted into the Student Success Program (also known as General Curriculum or General Health Studies). Our Student Success Program allows students to take the same classes and prepares them for entry into the program of their choice. 

• Engineering, including Computer Science and Engineering Technology: 3.00 GPA, 20 ACT Composite and 22 ACT Math sub-score
• Math: 21 ACT Math sub-score
• Nursing: 3.00 GPA and 20 ACT Composite
• Health-Related Pre-Professional Programs: 3.00 GPA, 21 ACT Composite and 21 ACT Math sub-score

What if I don’t meet the minimum requirements for admission?

If you do not meet these requirements, a more holistic review will be used to evaluate your application for admission. The Holistic Review Committee, comprised of administrators, faculty members and staff from across the university,  meets once a month to discuss these on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to submit additional documents for review, such as a letter of appeal and/or a letter of recommendation from a high school counselor or teacher, please email admissions@tntech.edu. 

The review process is a non-competitive, holistic, and individualized process where the Holistic Review Committee may consider some or all of the following: academic rigor of courses, core course GPA and grade trends; as well as non-cognitive elements such as an applicant’s concept of self, ability to deal with adversity, long-range goals, community involvement, special interests or abilities, leadership, and support structures. Requests for review may be sent to admissions@tntech.edu.

How to Apply

Ready to become a Golden Eagle? You’ll need to complete three steps in order to be considered for admission: submit an application, pay your application fee, and submit your documents.

Step 1: Submit an Application

Fill out our online application at tntech.edu/apply. If you need to make a change to your existing application, please submit an application update form.

Step 2: Pay Your Application Fee

Before an application can be reviewed for admission, you must submit your $25 non-refundable undergraduate application fee. Please note that if you have paid the undergraduate application fee in the past, you do not need to do so again. To pay your application fee, log back into the Self-Service Portal here.

Step 3: Submit Your Documents

To be evaluated for admission, you will need to submit official transcripts from your diploma-granting high school or your high school equivalency exam (GED or HiSET). If you are submitting a HiSET exam, please use Tech’s HiSET code: TN1001002.

High school and college transcripts may be delivered by mail, hand-delivered sealed and signed, or electronically through an approved transcript delivery vendor (see below). Transcripts marked “Issued to Student” or faxed are not accepted. All transcripts must be issued to Tennessee Tech University to be considered official.

Freshman under the age of 21 will need to submit official ACT and SAT scores if they are not posted on their high school transcript. If you taking dual-credit courses or AP exams, you will need to send in these official transcripts as well. Tech’s ACT code is 4012 and Tech’s SAT code is 1804.

It is recommended that international transcripts be evaluated by a member of NACES, although transcripts translated by other means may be approved in some cases. Further information on NACES is available here.

Official transcripts can be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Tennessee Tech University
Campus Box 5006
Cookeville, TN 38505

Transcripts can also be delivered through an approved electronic transcript vendors. High school transcripts can also be emailed; emailed transcripts are not considered official unless emailed from a high school counselor and/or other school official directly to transcripts@tntech.edu. Any other emailed transcripts, faxed transcripts, or transcripts marked "Issued to Student" are not official and cannot be used for admission purposes. Electronic transcripts can be sent via:

• National Student Clearinghouse
• Parchment
• Naviance
• eScript Safe
• Scribs
• JST