The Regent Admission Index is used for admission to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and one of the criteria used for admission to the College of Engineering, College of Public Health, and College of Education.
3 x ACT composite score or SAT Equivalent
+
30 x Cumulative GPA
(weighted or unweighted)
+
5 x Number of years of high school courses completed in the core subject areas
Any college-prep course in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and world language can be used in calculating a student’s RAI score. To be considered for admission, students must have taken (or plan to take) at least 15 college-prep courses (full-year) including the following:
All other courses in these areas (above and beyond those required for admission), can be used in calculating the RAI. High school counselors can help students and parents determine which courses qualify as “college-prep” or students can call the Office of Admissions.
Use the Iowa Board of Regents RAI calculator to estimate your unofficial score.
| If applying to Liberal Arts & sciences, Business, Public Health, or Education | If applying to Engineering | If applying to Nursing DIRECT ADMISSION Program | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English/ Language Arts | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years |
| World Languages | 2 years in a single language* | 2 years in a single language* | Minimum second-level proficiency in one world language* |
| Natural Science | 3 years, including courses in physical science, biology, chemistry, environmental science, or physics | 3 years; highly recommended to have one year of physics and one year of chemistry | 3 years, including one year each of biology, chemistry and physics |
| Social Studies | 3 years | 2 years | 3 years |
| Algebra | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Geometry | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Higher Mathematics | — | 1 year pre-calculus or equivalent | — |
*Liberal Arts and Sciences and Education students can choose several pathways to fulfill the World Languages requirement for graduation: 4th level (4 years) in a single language, 3rd level (3 years) in a single language plus an approved world language and cultural exploration course, or 2nd level (2 years) of 2 languages. Details at clas.uiowa.edu/wlpath. Business students must complete four years in one language or two years each in two languages. Engineering students must take two years in a single language. Students who have taken the requisite years in high school have fulfilled these requirements. Nursing students must complete four years (fourth level proficiency) of the same world language, or two years (second level proficiency) in two different world languages, or two years of the same world language plus additional required coursework.
Course requirements for international applicants from secondary/high schools outside of the U.S. are not strictly counted. It is understood that worldwide curriculums vary widely, so evaluators of non-U.S. transcripts will consider the educational system of each applicant and review holistically.
First-year students at Iowa enroll in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing, Public Health, or Education. See below for specific requirements for these and other UI colleges that admit undergraduates.
