We uphold high academic achievement standards to ensure you can meet DU’s academic expectations and excel in our rigorous degree programs. However, at DU, we also take a holistic approach to admission. While academic performance is the primary focus of our applicant review, we assess you as a whole person, not merely for your grades and test scores. We want to see how you engage with your peers and community through service projects, extracurriculars, student government, and other activities.
We additionally consider your involvement with the University of Denver, such as meeting with admission counselors or attending in-person or virtual visits. This demonstrates your willingness to invest in the DU community and your academic success.
As a test-optional school, we do not require you to SAT or ACT scores. If you opt to submit your score, they will be considered alongside your other materials during the review process.
For first-year applicants, DU offers the following application deadlines:
Early Decision is a binding agreement between you and the University of Denver that you will attend DU if accepted. You may only apply for Early Decision to one school. If accepted to DU via Early Decision, you must withdraw your applications from other institutions.
However, Early Action and Regular Decision are nonbinding applications, and you can apply to as many schools as you like for these deadlines.
Applying for Early Decision has numerous benefits, including:
Please Note: Athletes receiving athletic aid and music majors are welcome to apply for Early Decision but are not eligible for the financial incentives. Additionally, international students are eligible for additional merit aid but not for need-based aid.
To simplify the process, DU accepts the Common Application, a standardized online application form used by hundreds of colleges and universities.
The application includes an essay requirement, so please allow yourself enough time and preparation to write your essay. Students are free to choose from any of the current year's Common Application prompts for their one required essay.
Want to learn more about applying via the Common Application? Read The Princeton Review’s Guide to the Common Application.
DU requires a $65 nonrefundable application fee. To submit your payment, please log into your Common Application account and pay at the time of application submission to the University of Denver.
If you're facing financial hardship, you can indicate on the application that you qualify for a fee waiver in the ‘Profile’ area of the Common Application.
DU proudly participates in the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s CO Free App Days. Please check our website and your inbox this fall for this year's application fee waiver code.
As a part of the application process, you must send your official high school transcripts or verification of a GED.
Letters of recommendation play an important role in the admissions process because they allow those who know you best to speak about your accomplishments, strengths, and overall potential.
DU requires a letter of recommendation from your school counselor. They need to submit either the Common Application Secondary School Report, the Common Application Counselor Recommendation form, or a personal letter. You're welcome to submit additional letters from teachers, coaches, or mentors; however, these letters are optional.
DU believes in excellence. We weigh your academic performance as the most important factor in our admission process. However, because DU is a test-optional university, submitting test scores is your choice.
If you choose to submit your SAT and/or ACT scores, we review them along with your other application materials for admission and merit scholarships.
Please Note: To be considered, test scores must be received directly from the testing agency. We cannot consider self-reported test scores entered on the Common Application. It can take a couple of weeks for the testing agency to process your order. Please request your scores with ample time to ensure delivery by the materials deadline.
If you choose to submit your test scores, you must do so via College Board or ACT using the following codes:
We do not consider subject tests or writing sections.
Super Score: If you’ve taken either test more than once, we combine the best sub-scores to create your best possible composite result. If the testing agency generates a composite of your best sub-scores, we also accept that super score from the agency.
If you receive an application fee waiver, you can upload ACT and/or SAT scores to your application status page. To do so, please:
Once we verify the score report, we complete the test score requirement for your application. This process may take 24-48 hours to complete.