university of houston downtown essay requirements

University of Houston

Sep 02, 2024

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

> Freshman Requirements > Freshman Admission Requirements

You are a freshman if you:

are a student without college credit or
earned college credit prior to high school graduation (dual credit/early college high school)* or
earned less than 15 transferable hours of college credit after earning a GED or high school diploma* and
are a U.S. citizen, have applied for permanent residency, or qualify for Texas residency based on Senate Bill 1528

*Only credit earned from an institution accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations will be accepted.

You are an international freshman if you:

are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and
are not graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence in Texas (please review Senate Bill 1528 )

How to Apply

Visit the How to Apply page for step-by-step instructions.

Admissions Criteria

Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803-51.809 requires all students meet college readiness standards to be eligible for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution. Read about the Texas Uniform Admission Policy .

On your application, you will select whether you want your application to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. The admission criteria for each choice is below. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to change your admissions review selection.

WITH TEST SCORE

Class Rank	SAT	ACT	Admission Type
Top 10%	No Minimum	No Minimum	Assured Admission
11- 25%	1080	21	Assured Admission
26-50%	1170	24	Assured Admission
51% and Lower, No Rank	—	—	Individual Review*

WITHOUT TEST SCORE

Class Rank	Calculated Unweighted GPA**	Admission Type
Top 10%	No Minimum	Assured Admission
11-25%	Greater than or equal to 3.40	Assured Admission
26-50%	Greater than or equal to 3.45	Assured Admission
51% and Lower, No Rank	—	Individual Review*

*If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may consider additional factors in the admissions process. Additional factors include, but are not limited to the following: college-level coursework completed, number of credit hours earned, core GPA, first-generation college attendance, socioeconomic background, special talents, abilities or awards earned, family responsibilities, leadership activities, public service, special talents and extra-curricular activities.

**This unweighted GPA will be calculated by the University of Houston (out of a 4.0 scale) using the grades on your transcript. Extracurricular classes won’t be included.

Majors with Additional Requirements

Some majors have additional requirements on top of the ones listed above.

Majors with additional requirements are indicated with a +.

For more information, visit www.uh.edu/freshman-majors-ar .

High School Graduation

Sixth semester grades.

The university will evaluate and admit applicants based on their record through six terms (end of junior year) of high school work.

Final/Seventh Semester Grades

Admitted freshmen, who intend to enroll at UH, must provide a final/seventh semester transcript showing completion of high school requirements. An official final/seventh semester transcript must be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment. Failure to submit required documentation may result in rescinding admission.

Accredited High Schools

Applicants who have graduated from a high school accredited by either the Texas Education Agency or the appropriate Regional Association of Schools and Colleges will be admitted if they meet the outlined requirements.

Non-accredited High Schools

Applicants who have graduated from a high school not accredited by either the Texas Education Agency or the appropriate Regional Association of Schools and Colleges may be admitted through individual review.

General Education Development

The University recognizes GED tests as the equivalent of high school graduation. An applicant who has passed the GED tests and submits satisfactory SAT or ACT scores may be considered for general admission to the University of Houston. GED applicants may be admitted by individual review.

Home School Applicants

Documentation of non-accredited high school/home schooled students is required for admission in addition to official SAT/ACT scores. Home school applicants may be admitted through individual review.

Admission Option for Academically Talented High School Students

Special freshman admission options are available to academically talented students based on test scores, grade point average, and other criteria. The university offers dual (concurrent) enrollment and summer courses for students who wish to take college courses while still in high school. Early enrollment is available to a select group of students who have superior high school academic records and who wish to begin university level work after the completion of their junior year of high school. Please contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding these admission options.

Visit the Deadlines page for a listing of when the admissions application and supporting materials are due.

This college guide uses the most recent data available provided by the U.S. Department of Education. This information was last updated on October 10th, 2023.

University of Houston Downtown Admission Requirements Guide

Whether you’re just starting to consider University of Houston Downtown as an option or are well into the application process, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the University of Houston Downtown undergraduate admission requirements. After reading this guide, you will understand what needs to be done to maximize your chances of being admitted to this institution’s undergraduate program.

University of Houston Downtown Acceptance Rate

For the most recent class, the University of Houston Downtown acceptance rate was 92.82%. While odds of being accepted into this university are favorable, it is still important to follow the admission requirements. Neglecting to include even one required component could result in University of Houston Downtown discarding your application without offering you a chance to resubmit. On that note, let’s discuss these key requirements.

university of houston downtown essay requirements

University of Houston Downtown Application Requirements

Does university of houston downtown use the common app.

University of Houston Downtown does not utilize the Common App for their admissions process. You can find information about Harvard’s application portal by visiting the admissions page on the university’s website.

Does University of Houston Downtown Require Letters of Recommendation?

University of Houston Downtown does not require a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Even though it’s not required, you are allowed to submit a teacher recommendation letter as supplemental material in your application. It is highly recommended that you do so, especially if you have a strong relationship with a teacher who is willing to attest to your academic and interpersonal skills.

University of Houston Downtown Application Checklist

See our application checklist for University of Houston Downtown below to ensure you complete and submit the proper materials.

Required Application Materials:

Completed Application on University of Houston Downtown's Website
Standardized Test Scores, such as the SAT or ACT
Personal Statement (College Essay)
University of Houston Downtown Application Fee or Fee Waiver
Academic Transcripts (at the time of submission and when senior year first semester grades are released)

Optional Application Materials:

Additional Recommendation Letters (Teacher Evaluations)

University of Houston Downtown Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

Is university of houston downtown public or private.

University of Houston Downtown is a public university. This institution primarily receives funding from TX state taxes and student tuition. Public colleges also tend to designate substantially different tuition rates for in-state students as compared to out-of-state students.

How Many Students Does University of Houston Downtown Have?

University of Houston Downtown’s student body is made up of 13549 undergraduate degree-seeking students, according to our latest data. University of Houston Downtown offers the benefits of both large and small schools. The class sizes and student to faculty ratios are much lower than what a large school would have, and yet the college still offers a variety of options to network and get to know your professors.

How do I apply to University of Houston Downtown?

Make sure you have all of the required application materials we covered on hand. You can learn more about the application process for this particular institution at University of Houston Downtown’s Website.

Where is University of Houston Downtown?

University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX. To visualize where University of Houston Downtown’s campus is based in relation to Houston’s downtown area and landmarks, take a look at the interactive map below.

University of Houston Downtown Campus Map

Final Thoughts on Applying to University of Houston Downtown

Hopefully this guide helped you to learn more about the admissions requirements for University of Houston Downtown. When applying to colleges, remember to keep in mind that not every school will be a good fit. Take the time to evaluate what’s most important to you, such as the school’s academic opportunities, financial aid benefits, and location. All of the application components we covered are important – take your time to put your best foot forward. The College Grid team wishes you the best of luck on your college applications!

Sydney Janssen

As a valedictorian in high school, I developed a strong passion for learning and pushing myself to achieve academic success. Now, as a first-generation college graduate, I'm excited to share my experiences and insights with others who may be navigating similar paths through College Grid.

University of Houston-Downtown GPA Requirements

University of Houston-Downtown SAT Requirements

University of houston-downtown act requirements.

What University of Houston-Downtown looks for in applicants
University of Houston-Downtown Requirements - General Application
How to Differentiate Your Application & Get In
Chances Calculator
Related College & Universities:

Real Videos

$2,000 Scholarship

Will you get accepted?

Predict now!

University of Houston-Downtown: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into University of Houston-Downtown. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to University of Houston-Downtown, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown University of Houston-Downtown statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out University of Houston-Downtown on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here . If you're interesting in transferring to University of Houston-Downtown, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at University of Houston-Downtown

This free college chances tool calculates your acceptance chances at any other U.S. college

Please note all chances are estimates based on test score and GPA averages.

What GPA Do You Need To Get Into University of Houston-Downtown?

University of Houston-Downtown’s average GPA is 3.2. University of Houston-Downtown does require GPA. This average GPA means University of Houston-Downtown is very selective. Often times, schools in this range are trying to increase their selectivity and “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of University of Houston-Downtown application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.2 to 3.36 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.36 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. University of Houston-Downtown may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on University of Houston-Downtown’s campus. These University of Houston-Downtown admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What Is University of Houston-Downtown’s Acceptance Rate?

Last year University of Houston-Downtown’s acceptance rate was 77.63. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, University of Houston-Downtown is getting more and more difficult to get into. If this trend continue it’s likely that University of Houston-Downtown will be even more competitive by the time you apply.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into University of Houston-Downtown - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

	2016	2017	2018
Acceptance Rate	83.0 %	84.0 %	77.63 %

Will You Get Into University of Houston-Downtown?

Does university of houston-downtown require test scores.

University of Houston-Downtown requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how University of Houston-Downtown’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

University of Houston-Downtown’s average SAT score is 905 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether University of Houston-Downtown is getting more or less competitive.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	420	510	465
Reading	400	480	440
2019 Total	820	990	905
2018 Total	-	-	-
2017 Total	-	-	-

University of Houston-Downtown’s average SAT score is 905. To be a competitive applicant for University of Houston-Downtown your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 820, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider University of Houston-Downtown a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 990.

University of Houston-Downtown’s average ACT score is 55. To be a competitive applicant for University of Houston-Downtown your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 48, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider University of Houston-Downtown a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 62.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	16	21	18
Reading	15	20	17
Writing	17	21	19
2019 Total	48	62	55
2018 Total	-	-	-
2017 Total	-	-	-

University of Houston-Downtown Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into University of Houston-Downtown from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

Recommendations	Status
School Rank	Required
GPA	Required
School Record	Required

How to get into University of Houston-Downtown

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into University of Houston-Downtown. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at University of Houston-Downtown, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with University of Houston-Downtown admission standards.

Score at least a 905 on the SAT or 55 on the ACT.
Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.2.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with University of Houston-Downtown’s Values.

Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If University of Houston-Downtown values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
Volunteer in your hometown. Houston has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. University of Houston-Downtown wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Houston area in general.
Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. University of Houston-Downtown needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

Write a stellar essay that shows University of Houston-Downtown something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your University of Houston-Downtown app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
Apply Before the Deadline. 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 University of Houston-Downtown’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.

Related College & Universities:

Admissions Requirements to Harvard University

Admissions Requirements to University of Florida (UF)

Admissions Requirements to UC Berkeley

Admissions Requirements to Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Admissions Requirements to UCLA

Admissions Requirements to The University of Texas at Austin (UT)

Admissions Requirements to New York University (NYU)

Admissions Requirements to Boston University (BU)

Admissions Requirements to University of Southern California (USC)

We're happy to see you again 😊

Request Info

Applications and Forms

Undergraduate applicants (freshman, transfer, post-baccalaureate, and former undergraduate students).

ACE Military Credit Form
Application Update Form
High School Certification Form
Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver
Student Information Update Form
UHD Letter of Academic Standing-Transient Student

All forms must be completed and submitted to [email protected]

International Applicants

(international new and former undergraduate students)

Affidavit of Support for Non US Sponsors
Alien's Change of Address Card
Apply Texas Application
CPT Recommendation Form
Document Request Form
Foreign Advisor's Report & Transfer-In Form
International Graduate Students Checklist
International Joint Admissions Program Partnership HCCS
International Student Checklist
International Student Transfer-Out Request Form
International Transient Student Checklist
Letter of Academic Standing-Transient Student
Maintaining Your F-1 Status
Permission to Release Information
Reduced Course Load Form
Request for Dependent I20 form
Statement of Understanding

Graduate Applicants

(domestic, international, and former graduate students)

UHD online graduate application

Residency Forms

(all students)

Residency Affidavit
Residency Questionnaire

Office of Admissions One Main Street, GSB 308 Houston, TX 77002 Office: 713-221-8522 Fax: 713-223-7468 [email protected]

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

One or more documents on this site are in PDF format. In order to view and print these document(s), you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. It can be downloaded from the Adobe website .

--> --> --> --> -->
One Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
713-221-8000

-->

University of Houston Downtown

Sep 02, 2024

2024-2025 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Students in all UH-Downtown undergraduate degree programs must complete a common core of courses consisting of 42 semester credit hours, based on requirements established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The following table lists the Foundational Component Areas of the core, the number of semester credit hours (SCHs) required in each area, and the UH-Downtown courses that may be used to fulfill these requirements. Departments often suggest certain courses that their majors should take to fulfill some of the core requirements, so students should carefully study the degree plans that interest them and consult with their academic success coordinator. Degree plans may be found in the sections of this catalog describing the departments’ programs and on UHD’s degree plans website .

A student transferring to UHD who has completed the common core requirements at another Texas institution of higher education will receive credit for each of the core courses transferred and will be considered to have fully satisfied all of UHD’s common core requirements.

A student transferring to UHD who has completed some, but not all, of the common core requirements at another Texas institution of higher education will receive credit for each of the core courses transferred per UHD review and articulation procedures and will be considered to have fully satisfied the corresponding common core requirements at UHD. The student must still satisfy any remaining UHD common core requirements. Please see our transfer website for more information on specific degree plan requirements for transfer students.

Students concurrently enrolled at more than one institution of higher education should follow the core curriculum requirements in effect for the institution where they are classified as degree-seeking students.

Foundational Component Areas

Communication uhd course options - 010 (6 hours).

ENG 1301 - Composition I
ENG 1302 - Composition II

Mathematics UHD Course Options - 020 (3 Hours)

MATH 1301 - College Algebra
MATH 1310 - Contemporary Mathematics
MATH 1324 - Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences
STAT 1312 - Statistical Literacy
Any course for which one of these courses is a prerequisite

Life and Physical Sciences UHD Course Options - 030 (6 Hours)

BIOL 1301 - General Biology I
BIOL 1302 - General Biology II
BIOL 1303 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 1304 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 1310 - Human Biology
BIOL 1312 - Ecology and Environmental Biology
BIOL 2306 - Fundamentals of Nutrition
CHEM 1305 - Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 1307 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 1308 - General Chemistry II
GEOL 1304 - Introduction to Meteorology
GEOL 1305 - Physical Geology
GEOL 1306 - Historical Geology
GEOL 1307 - Planet Earth
GEOL 1308 - History of the Earth
GEOL 1345 - Oceanography
MBIO 1305 - Microbiology
MBIO 1310 - Microbes and Society
NS 1300 - Emergence of Modern Science
PHYS 1301 - Introduction to Solar System Astronomy
PHYS 1302 - Introduction to Stellar and Galactic Astronomy
PHYS 1307 - General Physics I
PHYS 1308 - General Physics II
PHYS 2401 - Physics I
PHYS 2402 - Physics II

Language, Philosophy and Culture UHD Course Options - 040 (3 Hours)

ENG 2301 - World Literature I
ENG 2302 - World Literature II
ENG 2305 - Literature and Culture
ENG 2309 - Survey of Film: Beginnings to Present
ENG 2311 - American Literature I
ENG 2312 - American Literature II
ENG 2313 - British Literature I
ENG 2314 - British Literature II
HUM 1301 - Ancient Western Culture (pending THECB approval)
HUM 1302 - Modern Western Culture (pending THECB approval)
LATS 1301 - Introduction to Latino Studies
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2305 - Contemporary Ethical Issues
PHIL 2310 - The Meaning of Life
SPAN 2301 - Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 2302 - Intermediate Spanish II

Creative Arts UHD Course Options - 050 (3 Hours)

ART 1301 - History of Art: Paleolithic to the Middle Ages
ART 1302 - History of Art: Renaissance to Present
ART 1308 - Art History: Introduction to World Art
ART 1310 - Introduction to Visual Arts
DANC 1301 - Dance in America
DRA 1301 - Introduction to the Theater
DRA 1303 - Introduction to Acting
MUS 2301 - Music Appreciation: Before 1750
MUS 2302 - Music Appreciation: After 1750

American History UHD Course Options - 060 (6 Hours)

HIST 1305 - United States History to 1877
HIST 1306 - United States History after 1877
HIST 1312 - Texas History
HIST 1314 - Ethnic Minorities in American History
HIST 1315 - Latino History before 1898
HIST 1316 - Latino History since 1898

Government/Political Science UHD Course Options - 070 (6 Hours)

POLS 2305 - Federal Government
POLS 2306 - Texas Government

Social and Behavioral Sciences UHD Course Options - 080 (3 Hours)

ANTH 2302 - Cultural Anthropology
CJ 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRS 1301 - An Introduction to Critical Race Studies
ECO 1305 - Contemporary Economic Issues
PSY 1303 - Introduction to Psychology
SOC 1303 - Introduction to Sociology
SOCW 2361 - Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
SOCW 2363 - Introduction to Social Welfare Policy

Component Area Option UHD Course Options - 090 (6 Hours Total)

Oral communication (3 hours).

COMM 1302 - Mass Media
COMM 1304 - Introduction to Communication
COMM 1306 - Beginning Public Speaking
COMM 1309 - Communication and Public Decision Making
COMM 2307 - Intercultural Communication
COMM 2309 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 2311 - Principles of Public Relations
ENG 1306 - Workplace Presentations

New Student Seminar* (3 Hours)

UHD 1301 - First-Year Seminar-Communication
UHD 1302 - First-Year Seminar-Mathematics
UHD 1303 - First-Year Seminar-Life and Physical Sciences
UHD 1304 - First-Year Seminar-Language, Philosophy and Culture
UHD 1305 - First-Year Seminar-Creative Arts
UHD 1306 - First-Year Seminar-American History
UHD 1307 - First-Year Seminar-Government/Political Science
UHD 1308 - First-Year Seminar-Social and Behavioral Sciences
UHD 2301 - University Seminar-Communication
UHD 2302 - University Seminar-Mathematics
UHD 2303 - University Seminar-Life and Physical Sciences
UHD 2304 - University Seminar-Language, Philosophy and Culture
UHD 2305 - University Seminar -Creative Arts
UHD 2306 - University Seminar-American History
UHD 2307 - University Seminar-Government/Political Science
UHD 2308 - University Seminar-Social and Behavioral Sciences

Total Hours: 42

*In the first semester of attendance at UHD, if a student has not completed the 6 hours of the Component Area option requirement at a Texas college or university, the student will take either a course numbered UHD 1301-1308 or a course numbered UHD 2301-2308.

UHD 1301-1308 is intended for students who have:

earned fewer than 30 SCHs of college work or
not passed ENG 1301 , regardless of the number of SCHs earned.

UHD 2301-2308 is intended for students who have:

earned at least 30 SCHs of college work and
passed ENG 1301 .

Time Frame for Completing Common Core Requirements

The common core of the general education program is designed to provide students with the academic skills and knowledge that constitute the foundation of a baccalaureate education. The specialized course work taken in the major field of study builds upon this foundation, so it is necessary for students to complete core requirements early in their course of study.

Writing and computational skills are especially critical for future academic success. Therefore, in the first semester in which they are eligible to do so, students should enroll in a course that will satisfy the Communication requirement ( ENG 1301 or ENG 1302 ), and a course that will satisfy the Mathematics requirement ( MATH 1301 , MATH 1310 or STAT 1312 ), and students should continue to enroll in these courses until they have completed the core’s Communication and Mathematics requirements.

Students are encouraged to complete all other common core requirements before enrolling in any upper-division (3000-level and 4000-level) courses.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

University of Houston - Downtown Requirements for Admission

What are University of Houston - Downtown's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

GPA requirements
Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into University of Houston - Downtown and build a strong application.

School location: Houston, TX

Admissions Rate: 88.4%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at University of Houston - Downtown is 88.4% . For every 100 applicants, 88 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet University of Houston - Downtown's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

University of Houston - Downtown GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.32

The average GPA at University of Houston - Downtown is 3.32 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.32, University of Houston - Downtown accepts below-average students . It's OK to be a B-average student, with some A's mixed in. It'd be best to avoid C's and D's, since application readers might doubt whether you can handle the stress of college academics.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

University of Houston - Downtown hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of Houston - Downtown will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

University of Houston - Downtown SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1021

The average SAT score composite at University of Houston - Downtown is a 1021 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes University of Houston - Downtown Lightly Competitive for SAT test scores.

University of Houston - Downtown SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 930, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1070. In other words, a 930 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1070 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:


		460	540
		460	540
		930	1070

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

University of Houston - Downtown ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, University of Houston - Downtown likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 19

The average ACT score at University of Houston - Downtown is 19. This score makes University of Houston - Downtown Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 16, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 20.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 16 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to University of Houston - Downtown, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 16.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

University of Houston - Downtown considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 930 SAT or a 16 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
50-80%: More likely than not getting in
20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of University of Houston - Downtown here.

Application Requirements Overview

Common Application Not accepted
Electronic Application Available
Essay or Personal Statement
Letters of Recommendation
Interview Not required
Application Fee $50
Fee Waiver Available? Available
Other Notes

Testing Requirements

SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
SAT Subject Tests
Scores Due in Office July 15

Coursework Requirements

Subject Required Years
Foreign Language 2
Social Studies 2
Electives 6

Deadlines and Early Admissions

Offered? Deadline Notification
Yes June 1 None

Admissions Office Information

Address: One Main Street Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 221-8000 x8000
Fax: (713) 223-7468
Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in University of Houston - Downtown, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to University of Houston - Downtown.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than University of Houston - Downtown. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Location	SAT Avg	ACT Avg
Denton, TX	1160	23
Long Beach, CA	1145	23
Fort Myers, FL	1135	29
Pullman, WA	1125	23
San Antonio, TX	1120	22
Tallahassee, FL	1105	21
San Marcos, TX	1080	23

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for University of Houston - Downtown, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Location	SAT Avg	ACT Avg
El Paso, TX	1040	20
Sacramento, CA	1035	19
Northridge, CA	1030	19
Kingsville, TX	1030	20
Atlanta, GA	1030	20
Fresno, CA	1010	19
Pembroke, NC	1001	20

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for University of Houston - Downtown, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If University of Houston - Downtown is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Location	SAT Avg	ACT Avg
Cobleskill, NY	970	20
Bennington, VT	970	18
Monroe, LA	960	23
Montgomery, AL	954	18
Morristown, NJ	950	16
New Haven, CT	940	24
Pocatello, ID	875	22

If You Liked Our Advice...

Our experts have written hundreds of useful articles on improving your SAT score and getting into college. You'll definitely find something useful here.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get FREE strategies and guides sent to your email. Learn how to ace the SAT with exclusive tips and insights that we share with our private newsletter subscribers.

You should definitely follow us on social media . You'll get updates on our latest articles right on your feed. Follow us on all of our social networks:

UH Undergraduate Admissions

Test Optional Admissions

Freshman applicants have the option to apply for admission with or without a test score for the following academic terms: spring 2025, summer 2025 and fall 2025. So, what exactly does that mean? Learn more below.

What is test optional admission?

Test optional admission is our review philosophy to give you the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores or not as part of your application. In other words, test scores are not required and will not impact our admissions decision.

3 Things You need to Know

You are not disadvantaged by applying without a test score. Please review your academic record and determine the best application option for you.

Apply through the Common App . This is where you’ll indicate whether you want to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.

See the admission requirements

You can change how you are considered for admission after you submit your application. Just fill out the Admissions Review Option Change Form. If you already received a decision, however, you will not be able to change how you are considered for admission.

Complete the form

The Process

Applicants can apply for admission to the University of Houston through the Common App . This is where you'll specify whether you want to apply with or without a test score. All applicants applying with or without a test score must submit a short admissions essay and extracurricular activities — both can be submitted through the Common App. Make sure to complete these sections before you finish and submit your application. You will not be able to go back and add your admissions essay or extracurricular activities once you’ve submitted your application.

If applying with a test score:

Have your ACT or SAT score(s) sent directly from the testing agency to us.

University of Houston ACT Code:   4236 University of Houston SAT Code:  6870

If applying for admission with test scores, we will use the highest total or composite score submitted. We do not super score. To comply with Texas Success Initiative standards, scores may not be more than five years old at the time of submission. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.

If applying without a test score:

If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may require additional documentation (like updated grades), which we’ll request from you to help us make our decision. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.

Changed your mind? If you want to change how your application is reviewed (with or without a test score), fill out the Admissions Review Option Change Form. You cannot submit this request if you have already received an admissions decision.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are different if you choose to apply without a test score. The admission criteria for each choice is below.

Class Rank	or





		Assured Admission

*If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may consider additional factors in the admissions process. If we require additional documentation, we’ll request those materials from you.

 **This unweighted GPA will be calculated by the University of Houston (out of a 4.0 scale) using English, math, science and social studies grades on your transcript. Extracurricular classes will not be included. 

Majors With Additional Requirements

Some majors have additional requirements on top of the ones listed above. For more information, visit uh .edu/freshman-majors-ar .

Expand All Collapse All

Which option should I choose?

Everyone’s situation is different, so we recommend reaching out to your recruitment specialist to see which option may be best for you. The great thing is, whatever option you choose, can be changed later. So, if you decide that you want to change from applying with test scores to without or vice versa, there’s a form that can be filled out on our website. Remember, you can only submit this form if you have not received an admissions decision yet.

Will I be less likely to be admitted if I apply without a test score?

Not at all! You’re not penalized in any way for choosing to apply without a test score. Just keep our assured admission criteria in mind.

If I choose to apply without a test score, what other documents will I need?

It depends. If you meet the assured admissions criteria, we won’t need anything other than your official transcript. If you don’t, we’ll individually review your file. For that, we’ll need a resume and a personal statement. We’ll let you know if we need those documents.

I already applied without a test score, but now I wish I had applied with a test score instead. Can I change how my application is reviewed?

If i choose to apply without a test score, will i still be eligible for scholarships, ready to apply.

Apply with the Common Application
Learn more about freshman admissions

University of Houston-Downtown

Cost & scholarships
Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of Houston-Downtown?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

This school does not require essays or the essay prompts are not available yet.

COMMENTS

Freshman Admission Criteria
Minimum SAT Total (Reading and Writing & Math) and H.S. GPA. ACT Composite Score (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and H.S. GPA. Top Quarter 1-25%. Guaranteed Admission Submit Official Score Report . Guaranteed Admission Submit Official Score Report. Second Quarter 26-50%. 930 or 2.5 GPA. 18 or 2.5 GPA.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy, beginning Summer 2016, University of Houston-Downtown applicants must meet the following Freshman Admission criteria: Top Quarter 1-25%. Submit SAT or ACT score. Second Quarter 26-50%. Minimum New SAT Total* 930/Old SAT** Total 850/ACT 18 or 2.5 GPA.
Applying to UHD
Normal processing time is 4-5 business days once all required application materials are received. During peak periods (one month prior to the start of a semester), processing times can increase to 8-10 business days. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. Office of Admissions One Main Street, GSB 308 Houston, TX 77002 [email protected].
Freshman Admissions Process
Applying With a Test Score (ACT/SAT) If you are applying for admissions with a test score, have your ACT or SAT score (s) sent directly from the testing agency to us. University of Houston ACT Code: 4236. University of Houston SAT Code: 6870. If applying for admission with test scores, we will use the highest total or composite score submitted.
Admission Requirements
The University of Houston-Downtown requires that students have Medical/preventative care benefits equivalent to the UHS-endorsed Student Health Insurance Plan with no annual limits and deductible does not exceed $1,500 (individual)/$3,000 (family) annually, and at least $25,000 repatriation coverage and $50,000 medical evacuation coverage.
Freshman Students
Freshman students applicants are, or soon will be, high school graduates, GED recipients, or home school graduates. Freshman applicants have fewer than 15 college-level credit hours earned, or have not attended a college/university for a long semester (fall or spring) post-high school graduation. UHD freshman applicants* have the option to ...
Admission Requirements
Transfer and Former Student Admission Requirements. Applicants with 15 or more hours must meet the following conditions for approval into NSM: 2.50 GPA or greater in ALL college-level work attempted. 2.50 GPA or greater in ALL college-level Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics courses attempted.
Apply for Admission
APPLY ONLINE. Complete the University of Houston application for admission using The Common Application. On your application, you will select whether you want your application to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.
Freshman Admission Requirements
You are a freshman if you: are a student without college credit or. earned college credit prior to high school graduation (dual credit/early college high school)* or. earned less than 15 transferable hours of college credit after earning a GED or high school diploma* and. are a U.S. citizen, have applied for permanent residency, or qualify for ...
Admission Requirements
In addition to the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy, beginning Summer 2016, University of Houston-Downtown applicants must meet the following Freshman Admission criteria: Top Quarter 1-25%. Submit SAT or ACT score. Second Quarter 26-50%. Minimum New SAT Total* 930 (Old SAT** Total 850): ACT 18 or 2.5 GPA.
University of Houston's 2023-24 Essay Prompts
Required. 650 words. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores?
TSI Assessment Information
340 or higher AND an essay score of at least 4; OR A placement score of less than 340 and an ABE diagnostic level of at least a 4 and an essay score of at least 5 ... University of Houston-Downtown One Main Street Houston, TX 77002 713-221-8000. Visitor Parking and Uber/Lyft Stop 201 Girard Street Houston, TX 77002. Mission and Vision Contact ...
How to Apply to University of Houston
How to apply to University of Houston - Downtown. View admissions requirements and deadlines and start your application. ... $2,000 No Essay Scholarship; Admissions Calculator; Write a review. K-12 SCHOOLS. Review Your School; ... Application Requirements.
Admission Requirements
University of Houston-Downtown Office of Graduate and International Admissions One Main Street, Suite GSB 308 Houston, TX 77002 713-221-8093 [email protected]. Applicants must submit a completed application form and official copies of all previous college transcripts including previous graduate work. A transcript is considered official ...
University of Houston-Downtown Admission Requirements
Test optional. Rec letters not used. Considers class rank. TOEFL required (international applicants) Policies can change. Please confirm by looking at this school's website. What are your chances of getting into University of Houston-Downtown? Learn the admissions requirements, including test scores and GPA, and calculate your chances.
Freshman
Admissions representatives are experts when it comes to applying to the University of Houston. If you'd like to talk to an admissions representative for admissions support, you can schedule an in-person or virtual admissions advising appointment, or contact us by phone at 713-743-1010, option 4 or by email at admissions@ uh.edu.
University of Houston Downtown Admission Requirements Guide
While odds of being accepted into this university are favorable, it is still important to follow the admission requirements. Neglecting to include even one required component could result in University of Houston Downtown discarding your application without offering you a chance to resubmit. On that note, let's discuss these key requirements.
University of Houston-Downtown: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs
University of Houston-Downtown SAT Requirements. University of Houston-Downtown's average SAT score is 905 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it's also very interesting to look at the average test score over time.
Applications and Forms
Residency Forms. (all students) Residency Affidavit. Residency Questionnaire. Office of Admissions One Main Street, GSB 308 Houston, TX 77002 Office: 713-221-8522 Fax: [email protected]. Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. One or more documents on this site are in PDF format. In order to view and print these document (s), you will need ...
Program: Common Core Requirements
Find your Major Opportunity at the University of Houston-Downtown. Houston's only downtown university with the lowest tuition rate of an public university in Houston. 51 degrees offered; online, downtown or satelite campus. ... based on requirements established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The following table lists the ...
University of Houston
University of Houston - Downtown SAT Requirements. Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score. Average SAT: 1021. The average SAT score composite at University of Houston - Downtown is a 1021 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Test Optional Admissions
University of Houston ACT Code: 4236. University of Houston SAT Code: 6870. If applying for admission with test scores, we will use the highest total or composite score submitted. We do not super score. To comply with Texas Success Initiative standards, scores may not be more than five years old at the time of submission.
University of Houston-Downtown's 2023-24 Essay Prompts
This school does not require essays or the essay prompts are not available yet. Sign up to be notified of any changes. Applying to University of Houston-Downtown and trying to find all the correct essay prompts for 2023-24? Find them here, along with free guidance on how to write the essays.