FIRST-YEAR ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Ready to Apply?

Here's what you need to do.

Application Checklist

 Apply online to the University of Delaware.

  • Check the timeline below for various application deadlines.

✓ Complete the required Common or Coalition application essay.

 Pay the non-refundable $75 application fee and submit your application.

 Submit and link your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) to send us your high school grades.* (Need help? See SRAR Instructions.)

Submit standardized test scores or note on your application you would like to participate in the Test Optional Program

  • Those who wish to supply scores can self-report their SAT or ACT scores. If you would like to submit official scores, use the SAT code 5811 or the ACT code 0634.

 Provide a school counselor letter or the Common Application secondary school report. Additional letters are considered but not required.

*Students who are admitted and plan to attend UD will be required to submit official, final high school transcripts.

 Freshman Fall Applicant Timeline

 

August 1

Application opens

November 1

Early action deadline

December 1

Nursing program deadline*; there is no early action or regular decision for the nursing program

December 1

Honors program priority deadline

January 15

Regular admission priority deadline.

January 31

All early action decisions released by this date

February 15


All nursing decisions released by this date

Mid-March

All regular admissions and Honors decisions** released by this date

*Completed applications and materials must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on December 1 to be considered for the nursing program.
**Honors decisions are separate from your admission decision and you may recieve your admission decision earlier than your Honors decision. Honors applications submitted after 11:59 p.m. on December 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.

 

Admitted Student Profile

*SAT and GPA ranges are based on self-reported data at the time of publication. The ACT ranges are derived from SAT equivalencies in the same band.

Academic Requirements

What it takes to be a Blue Hen

Subject Years Required Years Recommended
English 4 4
Mathematics 3 4
Science 3 (2 must include lab) 4 (3 must include lab)
History/Social Sciences 4 4
Foreign Languages 2 4
Academic Electives 2 2
Total 18 units 20-22 units

Foreign Language and Social Studies Considerations:

  • At least two of the social studies units must be history courses, and one of these history courses must be world history. An additional unit of math or science may be substituted for the fourth social studies unit. Social science courses like psychology can count toward the remainder of the social studies four-unit requirement.
  • American Sign Language (ASL) fulfills the foreign language requirement. 
  • Foreign language courses taken before the ninth grade do not count towards this requirement.

Some majors require that at least precalculus has been taken and passed in high school by the time of graduation. Applicants who apply to one of the majors listed below* will not be considered for the major unless this prerequisite has been met.

If an applicant's high school does not offer precalculus or calculus, they can apply for University Studies and attempt to transfer internally after fulfilling the requirements.

 

*Applicants to the following business majors do not need to have taken precalculus in high school: Entrepreneurship, Economics (B.A.), Hospitality and Event Experience Management and Sport Management.
Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering
 
Chemical Engineering
College of Engineering  
Civil Engineering
College of Engineering  
Computer Engineering
College of Engineering  
Computer Science (B.S. and B.A.)
College of Engineering  
Construction Engineering and Management
College of Engineering  
Cybersecurity Engineering
College of Engineering  
Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering  
Engineering Undeclared
College of Engineering  
Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering  
Information Systems College of Engineering  
Materials Science and Engineering
College of Engineering  
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering  
Accounting Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Business Analytics Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Business Undeclared Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Economics (B.S.) Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Economics Education Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Finance Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Financial Planning and Wealth Management Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Global Enterprise Management Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Hospitality Industry Management Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
International Business Studies Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Management Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Management Information Systems
Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Marketing Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
Operations Management
Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics  
*One-year average, mid-50% of admitted students. SAT and GPA ranges are based on self-reported data at the time of publication. ACT ranges are derived from SAT equivalences in the same band.

Students may apply to the UD Honors College on the Common Application or the Coalition application. To be considered for the Honors College, students need only select "Yes" under the question "Are you interested in being considered for the UD Honors College?" No additional Honors College application is required.

All students admitted to the University who select "Yes" to the question will be reviewed for the Honors College. If an honors application was submitted after the priority deadline of Dec. 1, it will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Admissions decisions regarding honors application will be provided after admission to UD, no later than early April. Visit the UD Honors College page listed below for more information.

 

UD Honors College

Applicants who are home-schooled or who have attended high schools that are not regionally accredited should provide:

  • a transcript of the student’s grades  
  • a sample portfolio of the student’s academic work or research paper 
  • test scores

For fall 2024, submitting your standardized test scores is optional for all students, including those who are home-schooled or attending a non-accredited high school. If you choose to submit official scores, we accept both the SAT (code 5811) and ACT (code 0634). 

We recommend providing any additional evidence of academic skills in areas related to your intended major, particularly if it is a math and/or science-intensive major. Such evidence may include scores on AP examinations, SAT Subject Tests, dual enrollment courses or other indications of your interest and ability to succeed in a challenging academic environment.

Standardized Test Scores

 

For the UD application, submitting your standardized test scores is optional. If you choose to submit official scores, we accept both the SAT (code 5811) and ACT (code 0634). See above for the average for general admits and Honors College admits. We will superscore the SAT and take the highest composite score from the ACT. We do not require the writing portions of the SAT or ACT, and we do not require subject tests.

Students who choose not to submit test scores have the option to submit additional information on your student portal, My Blue Hen Home, after applying.

 

Learn More About the Test Optional Program

Special Programs

School of Music

For the 2023 application cycle, all applicants to UD's School of Music must complete an audition request form (after they have completed their UD application) to indicate their preferred date for a live audition. Auditions will be held Jan. 25 – 27, 2024. Alternatively, you may submit a pre-recorded audition, which will require an interview with faculty. All music applicants will be asked to complete a brief music theory placement exam. For more information on School of Music audition requirements, see the School of Music auditions page below.

Music Auditions

 

Fashion Design and Product Innovation (optional)

We do not require a portfolio for admissions decisions. However, we know you have a creative spirit, and we would like to see your work. You will have the opportunity to share your creative work with our design faculty on your student portal, My Blue Hen Home, after submitting an application to UD. For more information on the optional portfolio, see the fashion website below.

Fashion Portfolio Information

 

Deadlines for additional materials:

  • Early Action: Portfolios must be submitted by Nov. 1.
  • Regular Decision: Portfolios must be submitted by Jan. 15.

Medical Scholars Program

The Medical Scholars Program is a unique early admissions, pre-medical, eight-year academic program sponsored by the University of Delaware and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. This program is designed for students who are certain that they want to become physicians. Visit the Medical Scholars Program website below for more details.

Medical Scholars Program

Interviews

The University of Delaware does not conduct formal interviews as part of the admissions process. If you have any questions regarding the University of Delaware or applying, please contact your admissions counselor. 

Meet Your Counselor

Self-Reported Academic Record

Domestic freshmen are required to submit their high school grades through the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). Need some help? Browse our site for step-by-step video instructions, tips for completion and FAQs. 

SRAR Instructions

Test Optional Admissions Program

All students applying to UD may choose whether or not to submit their SAT or ACT scores as a part of their application.

We recommend that students submit their SAT or ACT scores if they believe they show their academic potential. Students who choose not to provide test scores have the option to submit any additional evidence of academic skills in areas related to your intended major, particularly if it is a math and/or science-intensive major. Such evidence may include scores on AP examinations, SAT Subject Tests, or other indications of your interest and ability to succeed in a challenging academic environment.

The decision whether or not to submit your test scores is a personal one. You should consider the omission of your test scores carefully. It is essential to review what additional information you will share, ensuring that it reflects your academic potential and your ability to succeed in a challenging academic environment. If you choose not to provide test scores, your application will not be negatively affected, and a decision will be based on a holistic review of all of the materials you provide.

Yes. With or without the SAT or ACT scores, your application for admission as a freshman will be reviewed for merit awards and the Honors College. Applications must be received by Dec. 1 for honors or by January 15 for regular admission.

It is not required. Students may choose to provide additional evidence of academic skills in areas related to your intended major, particularly if it is a math and/or science-intensive major. Such evidence may include scores on AP examinations, SAT Subject Tests or other indications of your interest and ability to succeed in a challenging academic environment.

Every student applying to the University of Delaware.

Applicants should indicate their choice to apply test-optional on the application. 

If you are sending your test scores, select "I want my test scores to be considered." 

If you are not including your test scores, select "I am interested in being considered without my test scores."

If you have already submitted your SAT or ACT scores (before submitting the application), but have decided that you would like us to review your application without those scores, please indicate in your application that you would like to participate in the test-optional program. Your scores will be omitted from our review of your application.

If you submit an application indicating that you will send your test scores and then change your mind (and would now like to be considered without your test scores), email us at admissions@udel.edu to update your status.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admissions@udel.edu.

Transferring Credit: Previous College Work, AP, IB & More

The University of Delaware awards test credit for select secondary and post-secondary examinations and education programs. Official score reports must be sent from College Board to UD. The University does not receive the official score reports from tests conducted in May until mid-July. To order AP score reports, contact College Board at 866-444-5460 or via their website collegeboard.com. The University of Delaware's four-digit college code is 5811.

Learn more about test credit information here.

Find out more


 
First-Year Students Admissions Requirements | University of Delaware
First-Year Students Admissions Requirements | University of Delaware
First-Year Students Admissions Requirements | University of Delaware