Admission requirements vary from college to college. Please look at each individual college's or university's website to find their requirements, or contact Mrs. Hausmann. Iowa State University, The University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa each have the same requirements, and they are listed below:
College Admission Requirements at Iowa's Regent Universities
Effective fall semester 2009, if you wish to enter any of the Iowa Regent universities (Iowa State University, The University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa) as a freshman, you must meet the Regent Admission Index (RAI) requirement. If you meet the minimum high school course requirements listed below and you earn an RAI score of at least 245, you will automatically qualify for admission to any of the Iowa Regent universities. If you meet the minimum high school requirements and you earn an RAI score below 245, you may still be considered for admission to any of the Regent universities on an individual basis.
The most effective way to increase your RAI score is to take additional core courses (i.e., college-prep courses offered by your high school in any of the following subject areas: English, math, science, social studies, or world language). It will not only enhance your chances for gaining admission, it will also increase your likelihood for academic success after you’ve entered college!
So What’s Your RAI Score?
The RAI Formula
(3 x ACT composite score)
+ (30 x Cumulative GPA)
+ (5 x Number of years of RAI-approved high school courses completed in the core subject areas)
= RAI score
Regent Admission Index Score
Go to www.regents.iowa.gov/RAI/ to calculate your own RAI score.
High School Course Requirements
In addition to meeting the Regent Admission Index requirement, students must complete the minimum number of high school courses specified below for the institution to which they're applying.
| Subject Area |
Iowa State University |
University of Iowa |
University of Northern Iowa |
| English/Language Arts |
4 years emphasizing writing, speaking, and reading, as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature. |
4 years, with an emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of literature, composition and speech. |
4 years, including one year of composition; may also include one year of speech, communication, or journalism. |
| Math |
3 years, including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra. |
3 years, including two years of algebra and one year of geometry, for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
4 years, including two years of algebra, one year each of geometry and higher math (trigonometry, analysis or calculus), for admission to the College of Engineering.
|
3 years, including the equivalent of algebra, geometry and algebra II. |
| Natural Science |
3 years, including at least two years of courses which emphasize elements of biology, chemistry or physics. |
3 years, including courses in physical science, biology, chemistry, environmental science and physics for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
3 years, with at least one year each in chemistry and physics, for admission to the College of Engineering. Nursing - 3 years including one year each of biology, chemistry and physics.
|
3 years, including courses in general science, biology, chemistry, earth science or physics. Laboratory experience highly recommended. |
| Social Studies |
2 years for admission to the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Design, Human Sciences and Engineering.
3 years for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
|
3 years, with U.S. history and world history recommended for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
2 years, with U.S. history and world history recommended, for admission to the College of Engineering.
|
3 years, including courses in anthropology, economics, geography, government, history, psychology or sociology. |
| World Languages |
2 years of a single world language for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. |
2 years of a single world language are required for admission. For many degrees, the fourth year of proficiency is required for graduation. Nursing - Minimum second-level proficiency in one world language. |
World language courses are not required for admission. However, two years of a world language in high school with a C- or above in the last term will meet the university graduation requirement. |
| Other Courses |
Specific elective courses are not required for admission. |
Specific elective courses are not required for admission. |
2 years of additional courses from the required subject areas, world languages or fine arts. |