Standard Admission: Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different ways a student can be admitted to the Tippie College?
- Do students have to attend an information seminar before applying?
- What are the requirements for standard admission?
- Is the admission criteria/process different for accounting majors?
- Is the admission criteria/process different for transfer students?
- When are the standard application deadlines?
- Can I apply for summer or winter session?
- Where do I apply?
- When I apply online, do I apply for a major or will I be undeclared?
- How do I know if I meet the GPA requirements for standard admission?
- I missed the deadline; can I still submit my application?
- When will I know if I am admitted?
- How will I be notified?
- How do I change my major if I have already turned in my application?
- Can I register for major courses before I am officially admitted?
- When can I declare a major?
- Why is a personal statement required?
- Who reviews the personal statements?
- What if I don't receive a passing score on my personal statement?
- Can a student fail the accounting writing assessment if they receive a passing score on the personal statement for admission to the college?
- Why is a resume required?
- What happens if I don't receive a passing score on the resume?
- Who reviews the resumes?
- Can a student have a passing score on their resume for admission but not have the same resume accepted by the Hire-A-Hawk system?
- What if I do not meet the standard admission requirements and I am denied?
- Can I register for major courses if I received notification that I did not pass the resume and/or personal statement requirement?
- Does the college have a cap on how many students they admit?
- Is there a limit as to how many times a student can apply?
- I applied last semester and was not admitted to the college. Do I need to submit another application or will my file be automatically reviewed again?
- After admission, what GPA do I need to remain admitted and eligible to graduate?
- Is there a higher tuition for students admitted to the college?
- If my classification status changes after admission, or at any time during the year, will I be charged additional tuition?
- What happens if I have a grade of C- or lower in one of the admission prerequisites?
- What happens if I have a grade of C- or lower in Macroeconomics or Managerial Accounting?
- What courses are counted in the prerequisite GPA for admission?
- I will be taking courses at Kirkwood Community College as well as at Iowa. Do I need to do anything different?
What are the different ways a student can be admitted to the Tippie College?
Students can be admitted to the Tippie College in one of two ways: the Direct Admission program and Standard Admission. Students applying directly from high school can be admitted to the Tippie College as direct admits if they have a 27 ACT and 3.70 high school GPA. Students who do not meet the direct admission criteria will be admitted as prebusiness majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and will apply for standard admission to the Tippie College around the beginning of their second year. For more information on direct admission, please refer to the direct admission FAQ.
Do students have to attend an information seminar before applying?
Although it is not required, we highly recommend that you attend an information session. You will learn about requirements, important deadlines, and have a chance to ask questions.
What are the requirements for standard admission?
In order to be considered for admission, students must apply online by the deadline and should meet the following criteria by the end of the semester for which they are applying:
- Complete at least 12 s.h. of UI graded hours of credit.
- Complete four prerequisites with grades of C or higher:
- MATH:1380/22M:017 Calculus and Matrix Algebra for Business
- STAT:1030/22S:008 Statistics for Business
- ECON:1100/06E:001 Microeconomics
- ACCT:2100/06A:001 Introduction to Financial Accounting
- Earn minimum 2.75 GPA—admission prerequisites, cumulative, and UI.
- Submit a personal statement and a resume.
- Have no instances of postsecondary school academic misconduct or other violations of the Tippie College of Business Honor Code.
Is the admission criteria/process different for accounting majors?
Yes, students applying to the accounting major must meet all the same criteria as other majors, but they must also earn a 3.0 UI and cumulative GPA, a B- average in ACCT:2100/06A:001 Financial Accounting and ACCT:2200/06A:002 Managerial Accounting and have a passing score on the accounting writing assessment
Can I take courses at Iowa or a community college over the summer?
Students may not use summer course work to meet a subsequent fall admission. Example: a student may not
take financial accounting in the summer if they are applying for subsequent fall admission. Students may take courses during the summer session, they just can't use that course work to meet the subsequent fall semester admission requirements (due to timing of transcripts).
Can I take courses at Iowa or a community college over the winter session?
Students may not use winter session course work to meet a subsequent spring admission. Example: a student who has less than 9 graded semester hours at the UI may not take a course over winter session and count that course towards meeting the admission criteria for a subsequent spring admission. Students may take courses during the winter session, they just can't use that course work to meet the subsequent sessions admission requirements (due to timing of transcripts).
Is the admission criteria/process different for transfer students?
Transfer students are held to the same application deadlines as current UI students. Transfer students with 60 or more semester hours who meet the prerequisites and grade-point averages listed above are eligible to apply to the Tippie College. Transfer students who have earned less than 60 semester hours or who have not completed the prerequisite courses are held to the standard admission criteria above. Transfer students are defined as those students who have attended another institution and have not previously attended the UI.
When are the standard application deadlines?
Applications for fall must be submitted by March 1 and applications for spring must be submitted by October 1. Applications may be submitted until midnight on the day of the deadline, but we highly recommend that you apply before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the deadline, so that if you have questions or problems, University offices will be open to assist you.
Can I apply for summer or winter session?
No, you can only be admitted for a fall or spring session.
Where do I apply?
Applications are only accepted online:
- Current UI Students: admissions.uiowa.edu/academics/changing-colleges
- Transfer Students: admissions.uiowa.edu/apply/transfer-student-application-process
- First-Year Students (still in high school): admissions.uiowa.edu/apply/first-year-student-application-process
- International Students: admissions.uiowa.edu/apply/international-application-process
- Returning students: admissions.uiowa.edu/returning
When I apply online, do I apply for a major?
When you apply for standard admission, you will choose either undeclared or one of the degree-seeking majors in business. Applicants who have chosen undeclared or who have not completed Macroeconomics and Managerial Accounting will be admitted as undeclared. Applicants who have met the admission requirements and have completed 06E:001/ECON:1200 Macroeconomics and 06A:002/ACCT:2200 Managerial Accounting will be admitted to the major they have requested. There will be a notation in the application explaining this process as well as when and how you can declare a major. A special note about accounting admission criteria will also be included.
How do I know if I meet the GPA requirements for standard admission?
Review your GPAs on your degree audit and use the formula below to determine if you are guaranteed admission.
| Prerequisite Courses* | Grade Value | # of s.h. | Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus and Matrix Algebra | x | = | |||
| Statistics for Business | x | = | |||
| Principles of Microeconomics | x | = | |||
| Introduction to Financial Accounting | x | = | |||
| Total s.h. | Total Points |
| Total Points | ÷ | Total s.h. | = | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _____ Prerequisite GPA (Must be 2.75) | ||||
| _____ University of Iowa GPA (Must be 2.75) | ||||
| _____ Cumulative GPA (Must be 2.75) | ||||
| _____ Total Semester Hours (Must be 12) |
| Grade | Grade Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.33 | If you have completed a course using the second grade option, please check your degree audit or contact the Undergraduate Program Office to help you determine your GPA. |
| A | 4.00 | |
| A- | 3.67 | |
| B+ | 3.33 | |
| B | 3.00 | |
| B- | 2.67 | |
| C+ | 2.33 | |
| C | 2.00 |
I missed the deadline; can I still submit may application?
Late applications are usually not accepted. However, you are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Program Office to speak with an advising staff member regarding the nature of the reason that the application was not submitted by the deadline. If it is determined that you had a documented extenuating circumstance that prevented you from applying by the deadline, you may submit a petition for permission to submit a late application.
When will I know if I am admitted?
You will be notified of your admission status at two different points in time, depending on the semester you are applying for:
- If you are applying for fall semester (application deadline March 1): You will be notified by email around the end of March in regard to your score on the personal statement and resume. This early notification will allow time to resubmit due to nonpassing scores before the end of the session. You will receive a final admission decision in early June (an email will be sent to you from the Office of Admissions and your new status will be posted on the student information system).
- If you are applying for spring semester (application deadline October 1): You will be notified by email in early November in regard to your score on the personal statement and resume. This early notification will allow time to resubmit due to nonpassing scores before the end of the session. You will receive a final admission decision in early January.
How do I change my major if I have already turned in my application?
Most students will not be admitted directly to a major, so those students will not be declaring a major until they have completed Macroeconomics and Managerial Accounting. If you have completed those courses, and will be directly admitted into a major, you can change the major you submitted on your application by contacting the Office of Admissions in 108 Calvin Hall. After classes start, you will need to go to the Undergraduate Program Office in C140 PBB to change your major.
Why is a personal statement required?
A personal statement is required for two reasons. First, it serves as a prompt to ask students to think about and reflect on why they want to pursue a degree in business and what they feel they can contribute to the program. Second, it serves as a writing sample that allows us to identify any writing deficiencies that should be addressed before admission to the college.
Who reviews the personal statements?
The staff in the Undergraduate Program Office and the staff in the Judith R. Frank Business Communications Center.
What if I don't receive a passing score on my personal statement?
There are two possibilities in this scenario. If you do not receive a passing score, you will either be notified to attend a workshop and resubmit your personal statement or you will be notified that you do not qualify for the workshop and can reapply for a future session.
Eligible to attend a writing workshop: If you are required to attend a workshop, you must resubmit your personal statement by the established deadline, generally by the end of the current month in which you were notified. In order to resubmit your personal statement, you must attend a writing workshop. Personal statements will not be accepted if you have not attended a writing workshop. Students who are held to the writing workshop, and do not attend, will not be admitted.
Not eligible to attend a writing workshop: If you receive a very low score on your personal statement, you will not be eligible to attend a writing workshop. You will be encouraged to work on your writing skills the following semester to improve your future prospects of being admitted.Can a student fail the accounting writing assessment if they receive a passing score on the personal statement for admission to the college?
Yes, the accounting writing assessment is separate from the personal statement.
Why is a resume required?
A resume is required to ensure that you have a basic resume created as a starting point in the program. You will use your resume in a required course you will take your first year in the program, Business Communication and Protocol. Some other majors also require a resume in their professional practice/preparation courses and have events with firms soon after the semester starts.
What happens if I don't receive a passing score on the resume?
You will be contacted and asked to make corrections and resubmit by an established deadline, generally by the end of the current month in which you were notified. If you do not submit a revised resume, or do not receive a passing score on your resume, you will not be admitted to the college for the session you applied.
Who reviews the resumes?
The staff in the Undergraduate Program Office.
Can a student have a passing score on their resume for admission but not have the same resume accepted by the Hire-A-Hawk system?
Yes, the resume submitted with the application is for admission to the college only and is intended to be a starting point. A more rigorous review is required for the Hire-A-Hawk system.
What if I do not meet the standard admission requirements and I am denied?
Students who are denied admission and who can provide documentation of extenuating circumstances that impacted their academic performance may submit an appeal. Applicants must be formally denied before a petition can be submitted. The deadline to submit a petition is 10 days from the date of notification (date on letter or email in which student was notified that they were denied).
Can I register for major courses if I received notification that I did not pass the resume and/or personal statement requirement?
If you have been asked to revise and resubmit your resume and/or complete the admission writing workshop, you may still participate in early registration, and receive special permission if you have completed 06E:002/ECON 1200 and 06A:002/ACCT:2200, meet the admission prerequisites, and need the course(s) to stay on track for graduation. It is most likely that you will not be enrolling in major courses your first semester in the college as you will still be completing prerequisites, business, core, and general education courses. If you need to enroll in major courses, and you do not meet the requirements noted above, you must wait until you receive your official admission decision before you can enroll in restricted major courses.
Does the college have a cap on how many students they admit?
No. If you meet the criteria to apply for standard admission and have passing scores on the personal statement and resume, you will be admitted to the Tippie College of Business.
Is there a limit as to how many times a student can apply?
No, but it may not be in your best interest to continue to pursue admission. Several factors should be discussed with your advisor before making a decision to continue pursuing admission.
I applied last semester and was not admitted to the college. Do I need to submit another application or will my file be automatically reviewed again?
You must reapply. Applications are valid for one session only. When you apply again, your old application will come up. Be sure to select the "reset" button to continue the reapplication process. You will also need to resubmit a new resume and a new personal statement (the questions for the personal statement change each session, and can be found on our website, under standard admission).
After admission, what GPA do I need to remain admitted and eligible to graduate?
To remain in the Tippie College of Business, you must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college course work attempted, all course work attempted in business, all course work attempted in the major, all course work attempted at the University of Iowa, all business course work attempted at the University of Iowa, and all course work in the major attempted at the University of Iowa.
Is there a higher tuition for students admitted to the college?
Yes. An expanded tuition supplement proposal was approved by the Board of Regents in December 2011. Starting with the fall 2012 semester, TCOB students who have 0 to 59 total hours of credit will pay a $1,000 tuition supplement for the academic year—$500 for the fall semester and $500 for the spring semester. The tuition supplement for TCOB students who have 60 or more total hours of credit will increase as of the fall 2012 semester by an additional $500 ($250 for the fall semester and $250 for the spring semester), going from $1,500 to $2,000 for the academic year.
If my classification status changes after admission, or at any time during the year, will I be charged additional tuition?
Yes, the Tippie College of Business tuition is based on your classification status, which is determined by the hours you have completed (hours earned on the grade report and hours attempted on your degree audit). It is possible that this might change if you have additional credit hours (i.e., a transcript arrives after the tuition billing period).
What happens if I have a grade of C- or lower in one of the admission prerequisites?
If appropriate, you will be advised to repeat the course and reapply. If you apply with a grade below C in one of the admission prerequisites, your application will be denied, and you will have the option to submit an appeal.
What happens if I have a grade of C- or lower in Macroeconomics or Managerial Accounting?
Macroeconomics and Managerial Accounting are prerequisites in the program, but they are not admission prerequisites, so grades of C- or lower do not affect admission.
What courses are counted in the prerequisite GPA for admission?
Only Calculus, Statistics, Microeconomics, and Financial Accounting will be used in calculating the prerequisite GPA for admission. Additional courses taken will count in other respective areas (e.g., business GPA, cumulative GPA, UI business and UI GPA) but will not count toward the prerequisite GPA for admission.
I will be taking courses at Kirkwood Community College as well as at Iowa. Do I need to do anything different?
You may be dual enrolled during the fall and spring (at Iowa and another institution). However, all final grades and transcripts must be in the Office of Admissions by the established deadlines for each application session. Any pending applications will be canceled after the deadline. Important Information about winter and summer semesters: students may not use winter course work to meet a subsequent spring admission, and they may not use summer course work to meet a subsequent fall admission. Example: a student may not take financial accounting in the summer if they are applying for subsequent fall admission. Students may take courses during winter and summer session, they just can't use that course work to meet the subsequent sessions admission requirements (due to timing of transcripts).
Can I register for major courses before I am officially admitted?
If you have completed 06E:002/ECON 1200 and 06A:002/ACCT:2200 during early registration, the semester before you are to be admitted, you may be given special permission to register for two major courses. This requires advisor approval and is only done if you meet the admission prerequisites and need the courses at that time to stay on track for graduation. It is most likely that you will not be enrolling in major courses your first semester in the college; you will still be completing prerequisites, business, core, and general education courses. If you need to enroll in major courses, but are not on track for admission, you must wait until you receive your official admission decision before you can enroll in major courses.
When can I declare a major?
Students are admitted to the college, not directly into a major. Students can declare their major after they have completed Macroeconomics and Managerial Accounting. Accounting majors have additional criteria, refer to admission criteria on first page for details.
