How to Get Into University of Connecticut: Admissions Stats + Tips

What’s Covered:

• How Hard Is It to Get Into UConn?
• Average Academic Profile of Accepted UConn Students
• What is UConn Looking for?
• How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UConn

Founded in 1881 as Storrs Agricultural School, the University of Connecticut is a public, land-grant, research institution with its flagship campus located in Storrs, Connecticut. The university also has four regional campuses in Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury, along with UConn Law and UConn Health.

UConn boasts top faculty, internship access, and additional opportunities. Some programs are unique to particular campuses, while others are offered throughout the university.

As one of the top-ranked state schools in the United States, UConn is selective, and many are wondering — how do you get in?

How Hard Is It to Get Into UConn?

In the 2020–2021 admissions cycle, 34,437 students applied, and 19,316 were admitted, an acceptance rate of 56.1%.

UConn is selective, but your personal chances of admission depend on your unique profile. To better understand your odds of admission, try our free admissions calculator. This tool will use your grades, test scores, and other factors to estimate your chances — and give you tips on improving your profile.

Average Academic Profile of Accepted UConn Students

SAT/ACT

The middle 50% standardized test score range for enrolled UConn students was 1170-1390 (SAT, with 88% submitting) and 27-32 (ACT, with 17% submitting).

Class Rank

Of enrolled students who submitted high school class rank, 51% were in the top 10%, and 84% were in the top 25%.

What is UConn Looking for?

Chiefly, UConn assesses these factors when evaluating applications:

• Academic performance
• Involvement
• Personal qualities
• Rigor of curriculum
• Additional factors like circumstances

“Every year we strive to create an incoming class of the highest quality, a diverse student body comprised of intellectually curious, highly motivated, and academically accomplished individuals of strong moral character,” UConn says. “Our goal is to select future Huskies who will contribute to our inclusive community across the state and around the world, not only through their academic pursuits, but also through their leadership, integrity, and perseverance.”

The university performs a holistic review of every application to determine whether each student is a good fit for the UConn community. There are, however, certain minimum requirements, including the following high school curriculum:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of math (algebra I, algebra II, and geometry or their equivalents)
• 2 years of social studies (including 1 year of U.S. history)
• 2 years of a single foreign language (3 years strongly recommended)
• 2 years of laboratory science
• 3 years of electives
• School of Nursing applicants: high school chemistry is required
• School of Engineering applicants: high school chemistry and physics are required

The university has several special programs in Medicine, Dental Medicine, Law, and Education, which have additional criteria for admission.

How UConn Evaluates Applications

According to UConn’s 2020–2021 Common Data Set, these factors are considered “very important”:

• Rigor of secondary school record
• Class rank
• Academic GPA
• Standardized test scores

These are “important”:

• Application Essay
• Recommendation(s)
• Extracurricular activities
• Talent/ability
• Character/personal qualities
• First generation
• Volunteer work

These are “considered”:

• Alumni/ae relation
• Geographical residence
• State residency
• Racial/ethnic status
• Work experience
• Level of applicant’s interest

These are “not considered”:

• Interview
• Religious affiliation/commitment

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UConn

1. Achieve a high GPA while taking the most challenging classes available

UConn doesn’t publish its average GPA for admitted students, but as a competitive public institution, the university has a high one. Not only should you strive for top grades in high school, but you should also take the most challenging curriculum available to you (here’s some context on how many APs students should aim for).

If your GPA is lower, and you’re earlier on in your high school career, check out our tips for increasing your GPA. If you’re a junior or senior, it will be harder to increase your GPA, so the easiest way to increase your Academic Index is to get a higher test score.

2. Aim for a 1390 SAT and 32 ACT

It’s best to aim for the upper end of the middle 50% range for accepted students — in this case, a 1390 SAT and 32 ACT. However, anything within this range is perfectly fine, especially while UConn is test-optional due to the pandemic.

We do recommend taking the test if you can safely do so and submitting scores if they land at the 25th percentile or higher. Get recommendations on whether to apply test-optional using our free Chancing Engine. 

Note, too, that UConn superscores the SAT and ACT, so you have the opportunity to improve your score. Check out these free CollegeVine resources for help:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• More SAT Info and Tips
• More ACT Info and Tips

3. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

Selective colleges and universities generally consider extracurricular activities according to 4 Tiers, with Tier 1 representing the most unique and impressive, and Tier 4 representing the most common and least impressive. 

You should aim to have 1-2 well-developed interests, around which your activities are grouped. This is known as a “spike.” Try to have at least a couple Tier 1-2 activities, along with a handful of Tier 3-4 activities.

4. Write engaging essays

After you’ve cleared the academic thresholds, your essays are an excellent way to distinguish yourself from other academically talented candidates. This is an opportunity to show your authentic voice and demonstrate who you are beyond the numbers.

5. Apply by the priority deadline

While Storrs has an application deadline of January 15 (fall enrollment), it’s a good idea to apply by the priority deadline of December 1. This will ensure you receive merit and Honors consideration. Note, too, that regional campuses have rolling admission.

6. Develop strong relationships with teachers

Teacher recommendations play an important role in UConn’s admissions process. Cultivate relationships with your instructors early on, so you can ensure they know you as a person and student and can comment on your qualities, ambitions, and drive.

Of course, remember to be courteous and give your teachers ample time to write your letter — and don’t forget to thank them.

7. Consider satellite campuses

Storrs is the most competitive campus, admissions-wise, so if you’re set on attending UConn, consider applying to a satellite campus, where your chances of admission could be higher. Bear in mind that not all programs are offered throughout the university, so make sure your major of choice is available at the campus in question.

How to Apply to UConn

Deadlines

Application Requirements

• Common Application or Coalition Application
• Essay (part of the application)
• Two letters of recommendation (optional)
• Self-Reported Academic Record
• Standardized test scores (optional)

NB: There are additional materials required for Fine Arts applicants, special program applicants, and homeschooled applicants.

Learn more about UConn

• What Does it Cost to Attend the University of Connecticut?
• What Does it Take to Get Into University of Connecticut?