Prospective Parents

The University of Tulsa acquires Fab Lab Tulsa

The University of Tulsa has announced the acquisition of Fab Lab Tulsa, which provides access to digital fabrication tools and resources throughout the community through membership and programming. The move is part of TU’s ongoing efforts to promote innovation and aligns with the university’s global reputation in engineering, computer science, and the creative arts. “We […]

Unique organizational studies program offers expansive opportunities

At roughly 75 majors, organizational studies is one of the largest majors in The University of Tulsa’s Kendall College of Arts & Sciences. From social sciences, media, and arts to business administration, the program provides students a wide range of knowledge and skills, rather than limiting them to a single discipline. But as a so-called […]

TU Law celebrates alumna Sara Hill’s historic confirmation to federal bench

The University of Tulsa’s College of Law congratulates alumna Sara Hill (JD ’03) as she becomes the first Native American woman to serve as a federal judge in Oklahoma. This historic appointment marks a significant milestone in the state’s legal landscape. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to confirm Hill, who fills a vacant […]

New faculty member brings expertise and INSPIRE lab to Psychology Department

The University of Tulsa Department of Psychology has a wide variety of faculty-led research labs. From the Exposure, Relaxation & Rescripting Therapy for Chronic Nightmares study to the Psychophysiology Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience lab, TU offers students the opportunity to participate in ongoing research and even publish their findings. New to Kendall College of Arts […]

More than 60 years of James Joyce Quarterly

Legend has it that Thomas Staley, former provost of The University of Tulsa, founded the James Joyce Quarterly, fondly known as JJQ, in his garage. Or was it his kitchen table? That was more than 60 years ago, and since then the journal has become an internationally esteemed publication known for its publishing of critical […]

As the parent of a prospective college student, you play an important role in helping your student select a university. But it can be a bit daunting! To help streamline the process, The University of Tulsa’s Office of Admission has gathered the following information for prospective parents and guardians. Our goal to centralize the information you need to help your student as they consider the future, and provide you with valuable insight that will help you and your student make a more informed decision about The University of Tulsa.

Can’t find something on this page that you’re seeking? Let us know so we can improve the information for you and other prospective TU parents! Email your suggestions to admission@utulsa.edu or call 918-631-2307 to speak to someone from our office.

Find Your Admission Counselor

TU admission counselors assist prospective TU students and their families during the college search process by answering questions about TU’s admission process, application requirements, academic programs, financial aid and scholarship possibilities, housing options, co-curricular opportunities and more. Find your student’s admission counselor and reach out with any questions you may have about TU. You and your student are also invited to schedule a one-on-one meeting with your admission counselor at any point in the admission process – we can’t wait to chat with you about the future!

Visit Tulsa

Visiting a college campus in person allows you and your student to experience the atmosphere on campus and in the city. On our visit page, you’ll find information about campus visit options as well as our virtual tour, information about our beautiful city, a campus map and links to area hotels. We look forward to welcoming you and your student to TU!

Application Information (first-year domestic students)

Help your student navigate the application process by checking our deadlines, learning about TU admission requirements, and understanding what we’re seeking from applicants. We’ll waive the $50 application fee for students who submit the application for admission by Nov. 1 for the following fall semester, so encourage your student to take advantage of this offer! (This offer is valid using either the Common App or the Tulsa YOU app.)

Test Optional Policy

The University of Tulsa is test optional for admission and scholarships, but what exactly does that mean? Learn more about what Test Optional means at TU and explore frequently asked questions by visiting our Test Optional Policy page.

Transfer Credit & Credit by Exam

TU recognizes the rigor of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework, and will award credit based on exam scores. TU also awards credit based on coursework awarded by U.S. colleges or universities accredited by a regional accrediting association or coursework completed at international colleges or universities of recognized standing.

Advanced Placement Credit: Listed in alphabetical order by AP Exam, see what scores are needed in order for TU to award credit.
International Baccalaureate: TU offers credit to students who earn the IB Diploma or achieve certain scores in the IB program.
Transfer Credit Guide: This guide provides information about how previously reviewed courses from other institutions transferred to TU. It is intended to be used as an unofficial guide in consultation with a professional academic advisor. Final transferability decisions are made once an official transcript has been received in the Office of the Registrar. The Transfer Credit Guide is not a complete list of all transferable coursework. If a course does not appear in the guide that does not necessarily mean it is not transferable. The guide is continually updated as new courses are reviewed or previously reviewed courses are revisited.

Tuition, Fees, Scholarships and Financial Aid

Check out these pages for information about TU’s costs and options for you to help manage your expenses:

We invite you to reach out to the admission counselor for your area to arrange an individual meeting to go through details.

Academic Programs

Check out the options for your student; you’ll see that TU has more than 100 academic programs across many different academic disciplines. Often students will double major or have a minor or two along with their major area of study. TU students may choose to do this across colleges, meaning they can major in something in one college and earn a second major or minor in another college.

Campus Living

All first-year students are required to live in university residence halls and all second-year students are required to live on campus. (Students residing in the primary residence of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within a 20-mile radius of the university can submit a request for exemption from the housing and dining requirement.) Visit TU’s Campus Living pages to learn more about our residence halls, dining options, Greek Life and on-campus apartments. (On-campus apartments are an option beginning sophomore year).

Student Organizations

TU has more than dozens of clubs and organizations that provide students with opportunities to complement in-class experiences, meet new people with common interests, and support their social and educational goals.

Honors College

TU’s Honors College offers academically gifted and motivated students an exceptional and accelerated liberal arts curriculum focused on the study of classical texts in a vibrant intellectual community that fosters friendship, growth in excellent habits of mind and character, and service to the common good. To graduate with Honors, students complete the Honors curriculum, defend an Honors thesis or project, and participate in community service.

Job Placement Guarantee

Students who complete all Job Placement Guarantee program requirements are guaranteed to be offered an entry-level job or be accepted into a graduate or professional program within six months of graduation or they’ll receive a free semester of graduate school tuition benefit at TU!

Study Abroad

In an increasingly digitally connected world, engaging with the international community has become a key piece of the American college experience. TU offers summer, semester-long and faculty-led study abroad options. TU also offers a unique opportunity during the summer for incoming first-year students called JumpstartTU. This one-week international experience in Panama, Mexico or Germany is designed to serve as an introduction to The University of Tulsa’s academic and campus life through a transformative, intensive experience.

Free textbooks

TU offers a free textbook program! This program takes the hassle out of buying course materials, which makes it easier for your student to be successful from day one.

Transition to TU

Orientation: Every semester during the week before classes begin, we create a unique experience aimed at helping new students get off to the best start possible. Our peer mentors help students transition to the routine and challenges of college life and make many connections that will support them throughout their time at TU.
Peer Mentors: Our student peer mentors are carefully selected to serve as guides for our new TU students, who first meet their peer mentor over the summer (through email, texts, GroupMe or Zoom). That same peer mentor hosts the Orientation experience before classes begin, and then meets with them each week in their FYE1001 course. Peer mentors stay connected to their students throughout their first year of college to answer questions, connect them with resources, and be a friend through the challenges of the college transition.
First-Year Experience (FYE1001) Course: All new students will take FYE 1001 (or FYE 3001 for transfer students), an academic and personal development course created to help students develop the skills necessary for making a successful academic and personal transition to TU.
Student Success Coaches: While your admission counselor serves as a great resource as your student is considering TU, once they become a TU student, their student success coach will serve as their point person. The student success coach will be their academic advisor and will provide your student with a welcoming and responsive place to find support throughout their first year at TU.

Parent information for International Students

TU is home to over 200 international students from 68 countries, and each and every international student brings a unique value to the diverse campus community. At TU, there are endless opportunities for your student to get involved; from academic research to community service, to representing your culture on stage and more. Visit TU’s International Parents section to learn more!

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Study Resources & Centers

Popular Research Programs

Funding Your Research