FAQs for Undergrad Applicants

Students apply to The University of Texas at Austin through the university's undergraduate application and select a major in the College of Natural Sciences. Application materials, deadlines and official admission requirements are managed by the Office of Admissions.

We do not have a maximum number of hours in Natural Sciences, but we do have a minimum number of hours, which is 30 hours. If you wish to graduate from UT, you will need to take 60 hours of coursework in residence. 

Yes, students are required to submit transcripts from all institutions.

Yes. If you have at least a bachelor’s degree and want to take additional undergraduate courses without working toward another degree, apply for transfer admission as a non-degree-seeking student. Non-degree-seeking students must apply to a specific school or college, selecting a major intended for a non-degree seeker. Note that some colleges have additional requirements and restrictions for non-degree-seeking students.

Yes. Many students will take their pre-requisite courses with us, but have a major in another college/school. Our Health Professions Office (HPO) would be a great resource for you as well and they are housed within Natural Sciences, but serve the entire University because we have students throughout UT with an interest in pursuing a health profession.

All students, once enrolled, will have access to this office. They are extremely knowledgeable about the requirements for Texas schools and work with students to help them be competitive applicants.

Students interested in CNS should pursue strong academic preparation in mathematics and science and take appropriately challenging coursework when available. We also encourage students to explore the majors they are genuinely interested in and use the application to communicate their academic interests, experiences, and goals. These are general recommendations, not a formula for admission. Please visit the main Office of Admissions’ review and decision process page for further information.

* The College of Natural Sciences does not review undergraduate applications, make admission decisions, or evaluate individual applicants’ likelihood of admission. Our Recruitment & Outreach team can provide general guidance about CNS majors, programs, and the application process.

No. Our Recruitment & Outreach team does not review applications or provide individual assessments of a student's admission chances. Admission is based on a holistic review conducted through the university's admission process.*

* The College of Natural Sciences does not review undergraduate applications, make admission decisions, or evaluate individual applicants’ likelihood of admission. Our Recruitment & Outreach team can provide general guidance about CNS majors, programs, and the application process.

Early Action provides an earlier decision timeline but does not provide a competitive advantage in the admission review. Students should use the current Office of Admissions deadlines and submit a complete application by the appropriate deadline.

Application materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Applicants should use MyStatus to monitor required materials, upload eligible documents, and review updates to their application.

Major change requests for applicants are handled through MyStatus and the Office of Admissions. Whether a change can be considered may depend on the timing of the request.

Admission decisions and major updates are communicated through MyStatus according to the university's current decision timeline. Because dates and processes can change by cycle, applicants should refer to the Office of Admissions and their website for the most current information.

Students who enroll at UT Austin in another college or school may later explore the CNS internal transfer process. Internal transfer is competitive and requirements vary by major; admission is not guaranteed.

Students may consider applying in a future cycle, including as an external transfer applicant after completing college coursework. The Office of Admissions provides the official requirements for the external transfer process. CNS also publishes additional information for students seeking external transfer to a CNS major. Please see the links above and transfer details below for further clarification.

High academic achievement as well as demonstrated interest in and aptitude for science and math is strongly considered in the freshman review process. Read more in the Info For Future Students section.

More and more students seek math and science degrees making the College of Natural Sciences the largest college at UT Austin. With many more applicants than we can accept, admission to the College of Natural Sciences has become increasingly competitive. Students are considered amongst others in their respective applicant pool and so, while interest in Natural Sciences continues to increase, the level of competitiveness varies from year to year.

No. Eligibility for automatic admission to the university does not guarantee placement in a particular college or major. Please keep in mind you may select more than one major on your application. Applicants should review the university's current information about major selection and admission. Visit the Office of Admissions FAQs for those details.

CNS does not have a minimum test score that guarantees admission to a major. Your SAT/ACT score is part of the holistic review. Applicants should follow UT Austin's current standardized testing requirements and submit scores according to the Office of Admissions instructions. Please see the Office of Admissions FAQs for those details.

You need to have your official scores sent from the testing agency. Your scores need to be on file by the appropriate deadline to be considered.

• If applying by the Early Action deadline, your official scores from the testing agency need to be received by October 23.
• If applying by the regular deadline, your scores need to be received by December 11.

No. SAT subject test scores are not evaluated in the admissions process. 

Students are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline. Over 40,000 freshman applicants apply for summer or fall admission. Students are encouraged to submit their applications before or by October 15^th (Early Action Decision deadline) to allow sufficient time for processing. UT Austin and the College of Natural Sciences do not offer binding early decision or early action for general admission, and applying early does not influence the admission decision nor have any sort of competitive advantage. Early Action Deadline applicants will receive a decision by mid-January. All applicants who submit complete applications by the Regular Deadline of December 1^st  are considered for admission and will receive their admissions decision by mid-February. More information about admission deadlines can be found here:

• Freshmen
• Transfers

Any materials you wish to be considered for admission must be received by the Office of Admissions. Many items can be uploaded online and their receipt verified on your “MyStatus” page. MyStatus is a personalized notification site managed by the Office of Admissions. MyStatus is where you will verify receipt of your application materials, submit major change requests, upload additional documents, and find your admissions decision. Housing, Financial Aid, Orientation and other services can also be accessed through MyStatus. Your MyStatus page becomes active some time after submitting your application. Please keep in mind that processing times vary and it may take up to 1-2 weeks for you to receive access to MyStatus.

Choose a major that genuinely reflects your academic interests and the subjects you would be excited to study in-depth. Prospective students can compare CNS majors, degree plans, research areas, and career pathways before applying through exploring our webpage.

Major changes for applicants who are awaiting a decision can often be made before the application deadline through your “MyStatus” page. Sometimes a major change requires submitting an appeal for consideration and is only offered based on qualifications and space in the program. The Office of Admissions handles all major change requests for incoming students prior to the first class day at UT Austin.

Sometimes, individual admission decisions are released by the Office of Admissions as they are finalized. Some students may learn about their admission to the University weeks or months before finding out if they have been accepted into their college/major. All admissions decisions, including major updates, will be posted on the student’s “My Status” page before receiving letter notification in the mail. ** Please note that some deadlines are subject to change by the Office of Admissions. **

• Summer/Fall Freshman:
  • Application Opens  - August 1
  • Early Action Deadline to Apply - October 15
  • Early Action Deadline for Supplemental Materials - October 23
  • Regular Deadline to Apply - December 1
  • Regular Deadline for Supplemental Materials - December 11
  • Early Action Decisions Released - January 15
  • All Decisions Released - February 15
• Spring Freshman Applicants: Notifications are sent on a rolling basis. You may check with the Office of Admissions for more information.
  • Spring Enrollment
    • Deadline to Apply - September 1
    • Deadline for Supplemental Materials - September 9
    • Decisions Released - December 1
• Summer/Fall Transfer:
  • Common App Opens - September 1
  • Deadline to Apply - March 1
  • Supplemental Materials Deadline - March 10
  • Admission Decisions Released - Mid to Late June
• Spring Transfer:
  • ApplyTexas Application Opens - March 1
  • Deadline to Apply - September 1
  • Supplemental Materials Deadline - September 9
  • Admission Decisions Released - Mid-December through early January

No. At UT, pre-med is a pathway, not a major. Students may choose any major at UT while completing the prerequisite coursework required to apply to medical school. CNS students interested in health professions can work with their academic advisor and the Health Professions Office.

Yes, but in most cases, it is not necessary. Current UT students may discuss this option with their academic advisor once enrolled.  Most students interested in a double major will begin in one admitted major and pursue the additional major later through the appropriate internal transfer or simultaneous-major process. Both options are available on the Internal Transfer Application, which you may find here. You may find specific CNS Internal Transfer details here.

Competitive transfer applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance and clear preparation for their intended CNS major, particularly in relevant mathematics and science coursework. Applicants should review the current CNS external transfer requirements for their intended major before applying.

Transfer eligibility and minimum-hour requirements are governed by current university and CNS policies. Because these requirements may change, applicants should confirm the current minimum and any major-specific prerequisites before applying.

Students attending Texas colleges and universities can use UT Austin's transfer-credit resources to review many course equivalencies. Coursework from institutions outside Texas is evaluated according to university transfer-credit procedures.

No, the 24 hours includes any dual credit or AP credit hours you have claimed in addition to in-residence credit hours. However, the 24 hours all must be transferable to UT. If you are currently attending another Texas college or university, you can check whether a course credit will transfer using our Automated Transfer Equivalency System (ATE).

** Students who are enrolled in the Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) are required to have 30 credit hours.

No, UNLESS you have less than 24 credit hours at the time of your application for transfer but will have at least 24 credit hours by the end of the semester during which you apply for transfer. If you already have more than 24 credit hours, only the credits you have already completed will be considered. 

** Students who are enrolled in the Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) are required to have 30 credit hours.

Yes. You can apply to be a summer transient student. You can read more about the application process here. 

Non degree-seeking students without a college degree can apply as summer transients (see question 5 above). Non degree-seeking students who have a bachelor’s degree can apply to UT as a non degree-seeking transfer student. You can read more about the process here. 

No. CNS academic advisors serve currently enrolled CNS students and do not provide individualized pre-admission transcript evaluations. Prospective transfer students should use the university's transfer resources and published CNS requirements when planning coursework.

No. CAP provides a pathway to UT Austin under the terms of the Coordinated Admission Program, but admission to a CNS major is not guaranteed. Students seeking a CNS major should review the current external transfer process and CNS requirements. Please see the Admissions CAP FAQs and webpage for more details.

CNS offers a range of undergraduate majors and degree plans. Depending on the major, students may have options such as a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA). The BS generally emphasizes greater depth in science and mathematics, while the BSA can provide additional flexibility for coursework outside the major.

For majors that offer both options, students work with their academic advisor after enrollment to determine which degree best supports their academic and professional goals. Students do not need to make degree-plan decisions before applying to UT. This happens upon successful admission to UT after enrolling at the university, and you may discuss this with your advisor once enrolled. 

We offer 15 majors in CNS, so lots of options!

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary program with participation from multiple colleges and schools at UT Austin. Applicants should review the current program structure, available tracks and admission requirements before selecting it as a major. Find EVS FAQs.

Credit policies depend on the exam, score, and UT course equivalency. Students should review Student Testing Services for current credit-by-exam information and discuss whether claiming certain credits supports their degree plan with an academic advisor during orientation. Students may also review the UT Automatic Transfer Equivalency System (ATES) website to see which dual credit classes may be claimed.

CNS offers programs that help students build relationships with peers, faculty and staff. Every incoming student in CNS participates in a small community program. We also host many student organizations that are sponsored by our college.

CNS offers multiple pathways into undergraduate research. The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) gives many first-year students early access to authentic, credit-bearing research, while other opportunities are available to continuing and transfer students through faculty laboratories, research programs, and university resources. More information can be found on the Experiential Learning website.

FRI gives first-year students early access to authentic, credit-bearing research. Students build foundational skills and then join a specialized research stream, working on questions whose answers are not already known. Research areas span the natural sciences, computing and related fields.

Students interested in pharmacy should explore the prerequisite coursework and application expectations for the pharmacy programs they may eventually pursue. Plans can change, so students should also select an undergraduate major that fits their broader academic interests and goals, since some Pharmacy graduate degrees do not require a 4-year undergraduate degree.

Pre-health is an academic and professional pathway rather than a major. Students complete prerequisite coursework for their intended health profession while pursuing a major that interests them. The Health Professions Office supports students across UT Austin with pre-health coaching, workshops, application guidance, and preparation resources.

Prospective students should review the current CNS and university scholarship information for the admission cycle in which they apply. Students applying to CNS are immediately considered for college-wide scholarships. UT Scholarship processes and eligibility requirements can change and can also be found on the Scholarship Interest Form once the main UT application is submitted. Some awards may use information from the admission application, financial-aid materials, or both.

The process for incoming-student scholarships should be confirmed on the current CNS scholarship and university financial-aid pages. Students should also complete any required financial aid materials (FAFSA) by the published deadlines to be considered for available aid.

Yes, the scholarship process is extremely competitive for our prospective students. CNS was able to offer scholarships to only 4% of all admitted and eligible CNS students for the 2025-2026 academic year (incoming Fall 2025).  However, please keep in mind that there are many opportunities for students to apply for scholarships as continuing students.

Prospective student awards are decided upon by administration, faculty and staff directly involved with the admissions process. A committee made up of College of Natural Sciences faculty members and the CNS Scholarship Coordinator evaluates continuing student scholarship applications.

Prospective students should not be discouraged if they do not receive a scholarship offer from the College of Natural Sciences. All students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA by January 15 so that they can be considered for any and all financial aid they might be eligible for including other UT scholarships, grants and loans. Students should be sure to visit Texas One Stop for details. Please also keep in mind that students are able to apply for scholarships awarded by the College of Natural Sciences on an annual basis.

Yes. Continuing CNS students may have access to college, departmental and university scholarship opportunities during their time at UT Austin. Eligibility and application periods vary by award.

Notification timing can vary by award and admission cycle. Students should refer to current CNS scholarship information and MyStatus for the most accurate timeline.

Only students who have received a CNS scholarship will be notified of their status.

CNS offers three college-wide honors communities: Dean's Scholars, Health Science Scholars and Polymathic Scholars. CNS also has major or department-specific honors opportunities, including programs in Computer Science and the School of Health and Human Services. Students should use the respective Honors website for the current list of programs and requirements.

Requirements vary by program. College-wide CNS honors programs serve students across many CNS majors, while departmental honors programs are tied to specific majors or academic areas.

Participation rules depend on the programs involved. Students may be able to combine certain CNS honors experiences with departmental or university honors programs but should review each program's requirements and consult the appropriate honors staff.

Some CNS honors programs accept applications from current or transfer students, subject to program-specific eligibility, timing and space. Applicants should review the current requirements for the honors program they are interested in.

Because requirements and timelines vary by program and admission cycle, detailed questions about honors applications, essays, recommendations, decisions, and program expectations should be directed to the CNS Honors website and the individual honors program.

Entering freshmen can begin their honors application while completing the general application through ApplyTexas and the Common App. Transfer application cycles typically take place at the end of each semester. Transfer application requirements and deadlines vary by program. Details can be found on each of the programs’ websites. Find key dates and deadlines at the Office of Admissions.

Applicants who submit their honors application by November 1st will have their applications reviewed earlier than those who submit later, and some may find out about their program’s decision as early as mid-December. 

CNS honors programs require substantial investments of time outside of their coursework, making a three-year degree difficult. These pursuits can include independent research, studying abroad, conference presentations, substantial theses, internships, health care practicums, campus leadership and extensive community service. While graduating in three years is not prohibited, it is not encouraged.

Not necessarily. Students who are not in a CNS honors program can take honors courses if space permits, and if they meet prerequisites. These vary from course to course, but typically they include a minimum AP score and/or a minimum GPA. Academic advisors can provide details about registering for honors courses.

No. The college offers honors opportunities for non-honors program students, including:

• GPA/Rank-based honors opportunities offer recognition for academic success.  
• Departmental Honors is awarded at graduation based on thesis completion.

The benefit is having the best of two worlds: the close-knit community of a small college, and access to the ample intellectual and physical resources of one of the world’s leading research universities. And at UT Austin, students have the additional benefits of affordable tuition and several notable diversities — of faculty and students above all, but also of research and internship opportunities, courses and degrees. CNS honors programs offer a supportive, inspiring community of scholars and provide students priority access to a variety of university resources.

No. Honors program students will take both honors and non-honors courses.

Honors courses are smaller than non-honors courses. Generally, instructors dive more deeply into content and encourage critical analysis, problem solving, inquiry and individual thought. Subject competency is often tested through open-ended problem solving, case studies and/or real-world analysis.

There is no formulaic combination of scores, grades and achievements that guarantees admission to any of the programs. Faculty and staff evaluate students’ academic merit and potential by reviewing test scores, GPA, class rank, signs of a committed interest in science or math, and success in advanced classes in those subjects. They also assess applicants’ writing, work ethic, leadership, critical thinking and maturity, and they look for evidence that they’ve researched and understand the target program. The materials that permit this assessment include essays, resumes that document extracurricular involvements and honors, and letters of recommendations, one of which must be from a science or math instructor. Evaluators also assess whether an applicant appears appropriate for the target program and reserve the right to recommend that an applicant be admitted to a different honors program. 

Our honors programs do not offer interviews as part of the application process.

Entering freshmen will be notified between mid-December and late March. Transfer applicants will be notified within 10 days prior to the start of classes of the next semester.

Yes. All honors applicants will hear a decision.