Understanding UA Little Rock's GPA Requirements for Admission

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is a public institution offering a variety of programs to nearly nine thousand students. For prospective students, understanding the admission requirements, particularly the GPA expectations, is crucial. This article breaks down the GPA requirements for different admission scenarios at UA Little Rock.

General GPA Expectations for Freshmen

UA Little Rock seeks students with a mix of academic abilities. The university typically admits students with an average GPA of around 3.42. This indicates that the university generally accepts "B+" average high school students. To achieve this average, applicants should aim for consistently earning grades around 87-89 percent on their tests and assignments throughout high school.

GPA and Admission Chances

While a GPA of 3.42 is considered average, the university uses a holistic review process. This implies that a GPA slightly below 3.42 can be compensated for with strong performance in other areas, such as standardized test scores.

Standardized Tests: SAT and ACT

Submitting either SAT or ACT scores is a core requirement for admission to UA Little Rock.

SAT Requirements

The average SAT score at UA Little Rock is 1030 out of 1600. The middle 50% of accepted students score between 890 and 1170. Aiming for a score of 1030 or higher will make an applicant more competitive. While some students may be admitted with scores as low as 890, most accepted students score higher.

ACT Requirements

The average ACT score for admitted students is 22. The middle 50% typically score between 19 and 25. To maximize admission chances, applicants should aim for an ACT score of 22 or higher. Scoring at least 18 places an applicant in the top 62 percent nationally.

Test-Optional Considerations

UA Little Rock considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

Strategic Test-Taking

Students have the flexibility to send only their highest ACT score to colleges, providing multiple opportunities to improve their scores. Aiming for the school's ACT requirement of 22 and above requires taking the ACT as many times as possible.

Admission Standards for Freshmen

UA Little Rock offers various routes for freshman admission, all of which require an official high school transcript or GED test results and an official college entrance exam score (ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER) taken within the last five years. The high school GPA is based on a 4.00 scale.

Required Documents

All freshman applicants must submit:

Read also: Decoding the 5.0 GPA Scale

An application for admission and a $40 application fee.
Proof of two measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunizations or the titer test with test date showing immunity.
An official high school transcript.
Official college entrance exam scores.

Concurrent Enrollment

High school students can earn college credit at UA Little Rock through the High School Concurrent Enrollment Program. This program allows qualified students in participating high schools to take UA Little Rock courses on their high school campus. While college credit earned as a dual-enrolled student may apply toward a degree at UA Little Rock, admission under these guidelines does not guarantee eligibility for a particular course.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are those who have been enrolled previously in a college or university and have earned at least 12 transferable college credit hours with a grade point average of at least 2.00 on all previous college coursework. Alternatively, students who have earned an AA/AS/AAS degree from an accredited institution will be granted admission.

Required Documents for Transfer Students

Transfer applicants must submit:

An application for admission and a $40 application fee.
Proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations or the titer test with the test date showing immunity.
An official high school transcript.
Official college transcripts from all previously attended institutions.

Provisional Admission for Transfers

Transfer students who have not submitted all official academic credentials necessary for admission may be admitted provisionally, provided that official in-progress transcripts support admissibility.

Freshman Transfers

Students with fewer than 12 transferable college credit hours earned after high school are classified as freshman transfers and must submit both freshman and transfer credentials.

Read also: Understanding ASU Tuition

Graduate School Admission

Admission to graduate programs at UA Little Rock requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Specific programs may have additional requirements.

Business Programs

Students in the Business Information Systems and Analytics, M.S. program must possess strong academic preparation and aptitude for graduate study in business. Students pursuing automatic admission to the M.S. program must meet specific requirements. Regardless of total points, the minimum acceptable GPA is 2.5.

Computer and Information Sciences Ph.D.

Applicants for the Computer and Information Sciences Ph.D. program should have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. Students with degrees in scientific disciplines such as engineering, mathematics, computer science, or technology will be the most prepared.

International Students

International students must present a score of 79 or more on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Additional Considerations

Application Fee: A non-refundable $40 application fee is required for all applicants.
Immunization Records: Proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations or the titer test with the test date showing immunity is required of all applicants born after January 1, 1957.
Re-application: Degree-seeking students who were previously enrolled but have not registered at UA Little Rock for two years or longer must reapply for admission.

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