Navigating Admissions at the University of Mississippi

Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi, often called Ole Miss, stands as the flagship public research university for the state. With nearly 200 degree programs, the university fosters groundbreaking research and nurtures creativity. The University of Mississippi seeks students who are eager to succeed and expand their horizons.

Understanding the Application Process

Applying to the University of Mississippi is designed to be convenient. The university provides resources and assistance to guide applicants through each step. Admission to the university is administered under policies established by state law, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and the university’s faculty. Applications are received online.

Freshman Admission Requirements

For entering freshmen, admission is primarily based on several factors:

Application Submission: Applicants must submit either the university’s application or the Common Application.
College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC): Completion of the required units of the Mississippi College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi.
High School GPA: A cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA) is considered.
Standardized Test Scores: While standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) are not required for admission for the 2025-2026 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs, and for academic placement. Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing agency. The ACT code for the university is 2250, and the SAT/College Board code is 1840. The university will accept super scores (highest subject tests from ACT/SAT when scores from multiple test dates are submitted) for admission. Subject test scores must be from the same exam type (ACT or SAT) to create a super score. The university will calculate superscores if one isn’t provided.

The University of Mississippi has an acceptance rate of 97%. Half the applicants admitted to University of Mississippi who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1000 and 1200 or an ACT score of 21 and 29. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.

Admission Criteria for Mississippi Residents

Mississippi residents are admitted based on meeting one of the following criteria:

Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator; OR
Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator or a class rank in the top 50% and have an ACT composite score of 16 or higher (or SAT equivalent); OR
Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator and have an ACT composite score of 18 or higher (or SAT equivalent).

Any student who does not meet the above requirements may be granted full admission by satisfying the NCAA Division I standards for student athletes who are "full qualifiers" or "academic redshirts".

Admission for Non-Resident Applicants

Non-resident applicants are evaluated for admission based on:

Completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC).
Cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA).
ACT/SAT scores. Optional for students with 3.2 unweighted cumulative GPA or higher. Strongly recommended for students with less than a 3.2 unweighted cumulative GPA.
Rigor of high school curriculum.
Availability of seats in the incoming class.

Non-resident students are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a competitive, rolling basis until the university reaches capacity. It is suggested that students apply and submit required documents no later than February 1 of their senior year, for priority consideration.

College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)

The Required and Recommended College Preparatory Curricula (CPC) are approved by the IHL Board of Trustees and maintained in the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs. The CPC is aligned with current Mississippi high school graduation requirements and course offerings.

Developmental Courses

Students whose ACT subtest score in reading and/or English is less than 17 (or less than 470 on the SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first year of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade. Students whose ACT subtest score in mathematics is less than 19 (or less than 510 on the SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first year of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade. Students may also choose to take the ALEKS placement exam in order to enroll in non-developmental math classes. Students with ACT subtest scores of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Those students who enroll in two or more developmental courses also are required to complete one semester of Edhe 105. Enrollment in developmental courses is limited to students with subtest scores below 20 except with permission of the department. Developmental courses completed at other postsecondary institutions before enrolling at the University of Mississippi may be considered to meet developmental requirements. Students of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Some courses may require a minimum standard test score as a prerequisite. Algebra with a grade of B or higher. complete two semesters of Developmental Support Lab.

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Special Admission Programs

Summer Developmental Program

Students may be admitted to the Summer Developmental Program. Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the comprehensive screening process (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations before the beginning of the first summer session. The comprehensive screening process will consider student interests, special skills, experiences, and other non-cognitive factors. After counseling, students will take a computer-based examination (Accuplacer) to assist the University in their admission decision. Students who pass the Accuplacer test will be admitted for the fall term and will be encouraged to participate in Edhe 105 during the first semester of enrollment.

Early Entry Nursing Program

Pre-nursing students also may have the option of seeking admission through the Early Entry Nursing Program. Early entry nursing differ from general admission requirements.

Honors College and Scholarships

For consideration for the Honors College and other scholarships, there is a separate application which can only be filled out once you turn in the general application. Turn in this application by January 5th to be considered for the Honors College, and by February 15th for scholarships.

Special Non-Degree (SND) Student Category

An applicant who is twenty-one (21) years old and who does not meet the regular freshman admission requirements, may apply for acceptance into the Special Non-Degree (SND) student category. Applicants must demonstrate adequate preparation for the courses they plan to schedule. SND students may schedule a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours during a regular term and three (6) semester hours during a five-week summer term. Students wishing to gain reclassification to a traditional major should discuss this during their initial meeting with one of the professional advisors in the University Academic Advising Center.

Undergraduate Special Students

A student who is at least 21 years of age, has been out of school for at least three years, and cannot present an acceptable high school record may be admitted to the university for such courses as he or she may be prepared to enter. This category is reserved for those who have had delays or interruption of the traditional sequence of educational pursuits. A person admitted as a special student is admitted with the same retention standards as degree-seeking students. Special students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on 12 hours of coursework to become degree-seeking students. After meeting this requirement, the special student may become a regularly enrolled student, and the work completed while in the special status may be applied toward a degree. Failure to meet the stated requirements will result in academic suspension. While in special student status, a student may not register for more than 12 hours in a semester or summer session and will not qualify for financial aid programs.

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Unclassified Students

Applicants who have already received a baccalaureate degree may enroll in the university if they desire to take courses for personal or professional improvement at the 400 level or below or are pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Generally, students pursuing a second undergraduate degree will not be permitted to take graduate courses, but under certain circumstances, with the approval of the appropriate academic dean, they may enroll as unclassified students in 500-level courses.

Visiting Students

A student who regularly attends another recognized institution and who plans to return to that institution may be admitted to the university as a visiting student. The applicant must comply with the general requirements for admission and, in lieu of transcripts of credits, may submit a letter or certificate of good standing from an official of the institution that the student regularly attends. A student admitted to the summer session as a visiting student may elect to enroll in the university’s next regular session. The student can qualify by submitting transcripts of credits from the other institutions attended and by meeting the requirements applicable to transfer students. If the student has attended the University of Mississippi previously, he or she must be re-admissible.

Summer College for High School Students

Summer College for High School Students is a four-week academic program for high-achieving high school students who want to experience university life. Participants in Summer College have the opportunity to gain dual credit (high school and college) for classes taken during the summer. This program is offered in both residential and virtual formats. Students must meet the following criteria to qualify:Be classified as a junior or higher;Have a minimum overall high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; andObtain an unconditional written recommendation from his/her high school counselor, principal.ORHave a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;Earned a minimum composite ACT score of 30 or the equivalent SAT score; andObtain an unconditional written recommendation from his/her high school counselor or principal.

Transfer Students

Students may be accepted for transfer from other regionally accredited colleges and universities if they have earned an associate’s degree intended for transfer to a four-year school. In addition, students may be accepted from other regionally accredited colleges and universities if a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA has been maintained on all course work attempted with the exception of vocational/technical or other courses not acceptable for transfer. Every attempt on repeated courses is counted. Applicants must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. Transfer students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 on courses taken at the university, and to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 on all college work attempted, in order to graduate. Students may be accepted for transfer from other regionally accredited colleges and universities if they have earned an associate’s degree intended for transfer to a four-year school. applicable to transfer students. ACT or SAT scores and GPA according to freshman admissions requirements. All applicants described in this section are subject to the requirements outlined in freshman admissions requirements. Applicants in this section may validate the College Preparatory Curriculum in an alternate way. Admitting institutions may establish additional admission requirements.

Additional Information

Application Deadline: The application deadline at University of Mississippi is rolling. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that Ole Miss’s own system crashes.
GPA: GPA an important academic factor.
Recommendations: Recommendation are not considered by admissions officials at University of Mississippi. recommendation from their high school principal and/or guidance counselor. written recommendation to meet the requirement.
Mississippi State University Application Fee Waiver: Mississippi State University will waive the admissions application fee for freshman applicants who submit an approved ACT/SAT or NACAC Request for Waiver of College Application Fee form obtained from and signed by their high school counselor. This waiver is need-based and not related to the scores received on the ACT/SAT test. Once this form is completed and signed, students can upload the form to their applicant portal.
Transcript Submission to Mississippi State University: Upload your official high school transcript (grades 9-11 with senior schedule) to your Mississippi State University applicant portal. School counselors may upload transcripts through Slate.org once counselors are verified by Slate. Office of Undergraduate AdmissionsP.O. Request that official ACT or SAT scores be sent to Mississippi State. Students who have not taken the ACT or SAT will be reviewed for admissibility. MSU has a rolling admissions policy. Test-Optional: Students who choose not to participate in ACT or SAT testing will be reviewed for admissibility.
Technology Course Definition: A technology course is defined as one that emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course.
Computer Science Course Emphasis: A computer science course emphasizes computational thinking to solve problems. Courses will involve the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware, and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society and should include a focus on one or more of the following core concepts: computing systems, networks, and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of computing.
Pre-High School Units: Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course.
Re-admission: All undergraduate students who have interrupted their enrollment in the University for a year or more must submit an application for re-admission to the Office of the Registrar. Those who have attended other institutions during the interruption must have final, official transcripts forwarded by the institutions to the Office of the Registrar. Re-admission will be to the program selected on their readmission application, provided they meet the school’s or program’s admissions requirements.
Academic Restart Policy: A former University of Mississippi student who has been out of any educational institution for the 48 consecutive months immediately prior to the time the student wishes to begin academic restart, may start his or her college education completely over by invoking the university’s academic restart policy. The student will be considered as a totally new student from the time of first enrollment after the 48-month hiatus, and all academic regulations for new students (e.g., concerning probation, suspension, and honors) will apply. A student’s grades obtained prior to academic restart will remain on the student’s transcript. A student’s eligibility for academic restart at the University of Mississippi is determined regardless of the student’s restart status at other institutions.

Important Considerations

Rolling Admissions: Non-resident students are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a competitive, rolling basis until the university reaches capacity.
Catalog Disclaimer: The policies and regulations contained in this online University of Mississippi Catalog are in effect for the current or selected semester. The catalog is not a contract, but rather a guide for the convenience of students. The University of Mississippi reserves the right to 1) change or withdraw courses; 2) change the fees, rules, and schedules for admission, registration, instruction, and graduation; and 3) change other regulations affecting the student body at any time.
Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity: The University of Mississippi complies with all applicable laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its activities and programs and does not discriminate against anyone protected by law because of disability. Decisions regarding admission to the university are made on the basis of admissions standards as stated above.
Academic Accommodations: In order for students to receive academic accommodations at the University of Mississippi, their eligibility must be verified. Students must be fully admitted to the university before the verification process can begin.

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