Admissions to Iowa, ISU, UNI

What is a Regent Admissions Index?

Iowa high school graduates aiming for automatic admission to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa need a Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of at least 245. This score is determined based on factors such as the ACT or SAT test score, high school GPA, and the number of completed high school core courses.

The RAI Core Course Lists specify the accepted courses for the RAI at each Iowa high school.
Students with a score below 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis.
For Valley High School students, an Alternative RAI formula is used due to the absence of class rank. The formula to calculate the RAI score is: (3 x ACT composite score) + (30 x high school GPA) + (5 x number of high school core courses).

Learn more the Iowa Board of Regents website

Iowa Regents School Admissions Requirements

Iowa State University

English/Language Arts – Four years of English/Language Arts emphasizing writing, speaking, and reading as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature.
Math – Three years, including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra.
Natural Science – Three years, including one year each from any two of the following: biology, chemistry, and physics.
Social Science – Two years for admission to the colleges of Agriculture and Life Science, Business, Design, Engineering, and Human Sciences. Three years for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Foreign Language – Two years of a single foreign language for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. Foreign language courses aren’t required for admission to the Colleges of Agriculture, Business, Design, or Human Sciences.
Other Courses – Specific elective courses aren’t required for admission.

The University of Iowa

English/Language Arts – Four years, with an emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of literature, composition, and speech.
Math – Three years, including two years of algebra and one year of geometry for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Four years, including two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of higher mathematics (trigonometry, analysis, or calculus) for admission to the College of Engineering.
Natural Science – Three years, including one year each from any two of the following: biology, chemistry, and physics for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Three years, including at least one year of chemistry and one year of physics for admission to the College of Engineering.
Social Science – Three years, with U.S. History and World History recommended for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Two years, with U.S. History and World History recommended for admission to the College of Engineering.
Foreign Language – Two years of a single foreign language.
Other Courses – Specific elective courses aren’t required for admission.

University of Northern Iowa

English/Language Arts – Four years, including one year of composition; also may include one year of speech, communication, or journalism.
Math – Three years, including the equivalent of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra.
Natural Science – Three years, including courses in general science, biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics; laboratory experience highly recommended.
Social Science – Three years, including courses in anthropology, economics, geography, government, history, psychology, or sociology.
Foreign Language – Foreign language courses aren’t required for admission. However, two years of a foreign language in high school with a C- or above in the last term will meet the university graduation requirement.
Other Courses – Two years of additional courses from the required subject areas, foreign languages, or fine arts.

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