Application Information

It is important to manage your time and stay organized when completing your college applications. The information provided will help you keep track of everything you need to do to apply to the University of Cincinnati. If you have questions about your specific application or process, please view our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Campuses 

The University of Cincinnati is comprised of three campuses that offer different programs and opportunities. When applying through the Common Application, please be certain to select the correct campus where you plan to attend. Do not complete applications for multiple campuses.    

  • Uptown (Main) Campus
  • UC Blue Ash College (Regional) Campus
  • UC Clermont College (Regional) Campus

Uptown Campus

First-year Requirements 

To be considered for Early Action, all application materials listed below need to be received by the university prior to or on December 1. 

  • The Common Application
  • $50 non-refundable application fee (or fee waiver)
  • Official High School Transcript or Unofficial High School Transcript
  • Official ACT or SAT test scores (optional for most programs)*
  • Letter of Recommendation (optional)

*A test score is still required for the following programs:

First-year Deadlines

Fall Semester

December 1 - Early Action Deadline*

March 1 - Rolling Application Deadline

May 1 - Confirmation Deadline

Spring Semester

November 1 - Application Deadline

December 1 - Confirmation Deadline

Summer Semester

March 1 - Application Deadline

April 1 - Confirmation Deadline

Early Action Deadline

The Early Action Deadline is a non-binding plan that gives applicants priority consideration to our more competitive programs. Additionally, students need to apply by the Early Action deadline to be considered for The University Honors Program and merit-based scholarships. There is not a separate application for either of these.

Electronic materials must be uploaded and any associated fees submitted by 11:59 p.m. on December 1. Mailed materials must be postmarked on or before December 1. As long as all materials, whether electronic or mailed meet these time constraints and complete the student’s application packet, the application will be considered on time. 

Any applications that are incomplete or are submitted December 2 or later will be evaluated for admission to eligble programs but will not be considered for competitive academic programs that have closed, scholarships, or the university honors program.

The following programs often receive more applicants than they have room to consider. Historically, these programs close on or shortly after the December 1 deadline. It is recommended that students applying to the following colleges apply via Early Action (applications received after December 1 for these programs will be considered on a space-available basis):

  • College-Conservatory of Music 
  • College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning 
  • College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
  • College of Medicine
  • College of Nursing
  • Lindner College of Business

*Applicants to any major within CCM will be encouraged to submit pre-screening materials by November 15. For more CCM application information visit ccm.uc.edu/admissions.

Application Review Process

Admission to the University of Cincinnati is selective. First-year applications receive a comprehensive review in which both academic and non-academic factors are considered in determining admissibility to our academic programs.

Admission Decision Timeline

Regardless of major, Cincinnati reviews all applicants who have met the December 1 Early Action deadline prior to releasing admissions decisions. Early Action applicants can expect to learn their admission decision on Cincinnati Decision Day which is typically in mid-January or early February. 

Note the following exceptions:

  • Applicants for the College-Conservatory of Music must audition and will learn of their admission decision in March.

For students who complete an application after December 1, admission decisions will be released on a weekly basis starting in early February.

Rolling Deadline

For students who complete an application after December 1, admission decisions will be released on a rolling basis after Cincinnati Decision Day.

Student Application Portal

Students can log into their status page to check that application materials are in and view their decision.

Additional Information and Resources