Direct Admission: The top-tier path to a Tippie business degree
For qualified high-achieving students, direct admission is a clear path to your BBA. Direct admits have access to special scholarships, plus people and resources to help you transition to college, explore business careers, and get involved with causes that speak to you.
Graduating high school seniors should apply to the University of Iowa as a first-year student, and choose the Tippie College of Business as their college of interest. If you meet the university’s criteria for admission, we’ll automatically review your application for direct admission to the Tippie College of Business.
Tippie Discover Course: your springboard to success
The Discover Course is a launching pad to success for students in their first semester in the Tippie College of Business. The course provides foundational information regarding the many opportunities for engagement in the Tippie College of Business and opportunities to grow your professionalism as you begin your career journey. Content will help students explore majors, develop effective academic strategies, find college involvement opportunities, and prepare for internships. The Discover course is a precursor to the series of professionalism courses in the Tippie College of Business. We are here to help you maximize your career opportunities and land your dream job!
“I think it’s important that all students, and their families, know they belong at Iowa.”
Direct admission criteria
Admission directly out of high school is guaranteed to students who meet the following two criteria:
- 3.60 high school GPA
- 26 or higher composite ACT score (SAT equivalency—1230 or higher)
*We do not superscore for ACT or SAT.
*We accept Weighted or Unweighted GPAs.
Admission directly out of high school is guaranteed to students who meet our criteria and we accept first semester/second trimester grades and standardized tests from as late as the February dates if students are working to become eligible.
Students who meet at least one of the two criteria will be reviewed for Direct Admission if space allows. Students in review will know their final Tippie admission status by March 15.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible in your senior year. The application opens in June and decisions start rolling out in September—but we will accept updated first semester/second trimester grades and standardized tests from the February dates if you are working to become eligible.
When to apply
The application opens in June and decisions start rolling out in September, so applying early in your senior year is ideal. We accept direct admit students for the fall semester only.
Applying early means you’ll have plenty of time to apply for business scholarships available to direct admit and prebusiness students. The priority deadline for graduating high school seniors to apply for Tippie scholarships is December 15. Applications completed after that date will be reviewed subject to the availability of additional funds.
Fall application dates
Recommended dates to apply: June to December
Last dates to apply: March 1*
Scholarship deadlines
Priority scholarship deadline: December 15
Final scholarship deadline: March 1
*While May 1 is technically the final date to apply for fall admission, the Office of Admissions may institute a waitlist for admission after March 1—the sooner you apply, the better.
What if I’m not admitted directly from high school?
You still have a guaranteed path to a business degree—standard admission is designed just for you. If you’re admitted to the UI but not directly to Tippie, you’ll start as a prebusiness major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. During your second year, you’ll apply for standard admission to Tippie.
Tippie's Gateway Summer Program—for students from diverse backgrounds
The Gateway Summer Program is a way for high school juniors to experience campus life at a Big Ten institution, complete with residence hall living and student activities. You’ll be introduced to the seven business majors at Tippie and discover career opportunities in business by hearing from Tippie alumni and business professionals. You'll have access to hands-on business experience with simulations, case studies, and company visits while working closely with current Tippie College of Business students. The program will help you develop critical skills needed to make a successful transition from high school to college.
Tippie Early Access for Master’s
Exclusively for Direct Admission students, you’ll enjoy guaranteed admission to our master’s programs in finance, business analytics, and accounting. There’s no cost to join, and you’ll enjoy sizable savings on tuition for finance and business analytics master's programs.
You'll also have the ability to graduate with a bachelor's and a master's with as little as five years of study.
How to get started
Sign up any time before the end of your first semester at Tippie. Click below to let us know you're interested, and an enrollment specialist will get in touch.
Take the next step
Ready to become Tippie’s next rising star? Start your application today.