Your Guide to Applying

Setting you off on the right foot.

You aren’t alone during your application process or admissions journey. Here’s a collection of information, including tips and FAQs, to help your application and admissions process go smoothly.

Applying: What We Need

Whether you’ve always known you would attend UNI or whether you’re applying to several universities, it all starts with your application. Your application will be reviewed once we receive all required items. We recommend having all the materials ready prior to sitting down to complete your application.

Required items include:

Application – You have the option to apply through UNI's Application or the Common Application.
Application Fee or Waiver – The $40 application fee must be paid or deferred, using this form, for those who are eligible. You will be prompted to submit your application fee or waiver while submitting your application.
Self-reported coursework
Unofficial transcripts – Official transcripts will need to be submitted before enrollment.

Optional materials include:

ACT or SAT scores – UNI has a test-optional policy and does not require test scores. If you choose to submit scores, you can self-report them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I apply as a freshmen or as a transfer student?

If you are in high school and never attended college (but may have taken college coursework), you should apply as a freshmen applicants.

If you have completed high school and enrolled in college, even for one term or less, you must apply as a transfer applicant. Transfer applicants with 24 or fewer transferrable credits must also meet the admissions requirements for students entering directly from high school.

What are the high school requirements for admission?

The requirements for freshmen vary depending on how a student chooses to apply (with test scores or as test-optional). No matter how a student applies, they must complete the minimum high school coursework requirements to be admitted and enrolled at UNI.

What are the transfer requirements for admissions?

In summary, the criteria for admission to UNI as a transfer student is evaluated on your cumulative grade point average (GPA) from your previous institution. For admission, you must have (or exceed) the GPA required for the number of transferrable credit hours you have. To see the full chart, visit this page.

When can I apply?

UNI's application for admission opens July 1 each year. Students who will be or are senior status can apply anytime after this date. If you are a transfer student, it is recommended you apply one year before when you intend to enroll at UNI.

Does UNI have a priority consideration deadline for admission?

No, UNI operates on a rolling admissions basis. Admission of applicants for fall semester begins in July of the preceding year. Admission for other terms begins approximately 12 months prior to the beginning of the term. Admission offers are issued for a specific term and are valid only for the term specified.

How long does it take to apply?

On average, it takes 15-20 minutes for students to complete the application.

When will I receive my admission decision?

Once UNI has received all required information, students generally are admitted within 2-3 days of application. We will send decisions through email first, followed by the official admit packet, which usually arrives by mail two to three weeks after admission.

Am I eligible for an application fee waiver?

To be eligible for a fee waiver, you must meet one of the criteria and complete the form, both found at this page.

Where can I learn more about UNI's test optional policy?

Visit this page for more information.

Things to Know

When Applying

Complete all the information requested on the application. See that all questions are answered to avoid unnecessary correspondence and delay in considering your request for admission.

Your legal name should always be used. If your high school or college records may appear under another name, give this name also.

You have two options to submit your unofficial transcript. You can either upload it directly within the UNI Application or choose to email it to admissionsprocessing@uni.edu.

After Admission

Transcripts

You’re required to send your official final, high school transcript and any college transcripts (if you’ve taken college credit) to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment.

For a transcript to be considered official, it must be sent directly from the institution. Transcripts can be sent by email or mail, in a sealed envelope, to our mailing address.

Office of Admissions
002 Gilchrist Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA, 50614-0018
admissionsprocessing@uni.edu

Find more information, visit our transcript webpage.

Test scores

If your official ACT or SAT test scores are not included on your official transcript, you’ll need the testing agency to send the scores to UNI.

The easiest way to do this is to add UNI within your ACT registration system. UNI’s ACT code is 1322 and SAT Code is 6307.

Note: the ACT/SAT are not required for admission to UNI.

‌Accommodations

Applicants with physical or mental disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, who wish to request accommodations should contact the Student Accessibility Services at 319-273-2677.