Ready to pack your bags for Lubbock, TX, and become a Red Raider (or, as some students like to identify, a “Techsan”)? Before you saddle up, here’s everything you need to know about how to get into Texas Tech, and the Texas Tech admission requirements.
Founded 100 years ago, Texas Tech sits on 1,839 acres of wide open West Texas plains. A major research university, Tech recently earned the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's “Very High Research Activity'' distinction. Despite its size and 40,000-strong student body, however, Texas Tech provides an academic atmosphere similar to that of a smaller liberal arts institution, with plenty of one-on-one attention from faculty. Though steeped in traditions (many surrounding its world-class athletic program), Texas Tech has its eye on the future. Resources like The Innovation Hub at Research Park have placed Tech among the top ranked schools in the nation for entrepreneurship, while the university continues to smash enrollment records and rise in national and global college rankings.
The Texas Tech admissions process is managed by both the Common App and ApplyTexas—the university has no preference for which application you use. This article will take you through the most important things to keep in mind when applying to Texas Tech University.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click to skip ahead)How hard is it to get into Texas Tech?
It is moderately difficult to get accepted to Texas Tech. The grade point average of people who get accepted to Tech are in the highest half of their class. People who successfully get into Tech also tend to have moderate extracurricular activities and college applications essays.
Texas Tech Acceptance Rate
The Texas Tech acceptance rate is 68%, making it moderately competitive. Acceptance rate is generally an indication of how competitive a school is, but it is also an indication of how popular a school is. To get into a school like Texas Tech, you will need to perform well in most areas of your college application.
Texas Tech Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Transfer Acceptance Rate
Texas Tech University does not have any early action or early decision options. During Texas Tech’s regular decision cycle, it received 33,756 applications and accepted 22,908 students (68%). Tech is a widely popular school to apply to.
*Note that Texas Tech does offer a Priority Deadline. Applications received by the Priority Deadline are given the most consideration*
Texas Tech’s Transfer Acceptance Rate is high. Of 5,243 transfer applicants, 3,996 were admitted (76%). (If you want a guide to how to transfer colleges, head to that link.)
Texas Tech GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for Texas Tech are between 3.5 and 4.0. You will need a high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top half of your class in order to get into Tech. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Texas tech Unweighted Average GPA: 3.76
| Unweighted GPA Distribution | Unweighted % |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 3.3% |
| 3.75-3.99 | 37.6% |
| 3.50-3.74 | 33% |
| 3.25-3.49 | 15.2% |
| 3.00-3.24 | 6.4% |
| 2.5-2.99 | 4.1% |
| 2.0-2.49 | 0.4% |
| 1.0-1.99 | 0.0% |
| Below 1.0 | 0.0% |
What GPA is required for Texas Tech?
Applicants’ GPA when applying to Texas Tech should be between 3.50 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by increasing your SAT or ACT score, or by having outstanding extracurricular activities and a strong personal statement.
Texas Tech SAT Requirements
Tech is a “Test Optional” school, meaning it does not require standardized test scores, but will consider them if submitted. It’s up to you whether to submit your scores or not. There are a number of factors to consider as you make this decision, and you can read more about them here.
If you’re considering submitting your SAT score, the recommended SAT requirements for Texas Tech are a 1110 to 1280 composite score, combining the reading and writing, and math sections together. You will need a moderately high SAT score in order to get into Texas Tech. If your SAT is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your other standardized tests or have spectacular extracurricular activities to compensate. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Texas Tech Average SAT Composite Score: 1195
| SAT Score Range | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 700-800 | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 600-699 | 41.4% | 35.6% |
| 500-599 | 44.2% | 51.6% |
| 400-499 | 4.8% | 3.4% |
| 300-399 | 0% | 0% |
| 200-299 | 0% | 0% |
What SAT score is required for Texas Tech?
Applicants should score between 1110 and 1280 on their SAT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute ACT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
Texas Tech ACT Requirements
The ACT requirements for Texas Tech are a 25 composite score combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. You will need a moderate ACT score in order to get into Texas Tech. If your ACT is not what you’d hoped by the time you apply, you may have to make it up by getting above-average scores on the SAT and having an above-average grade point average. If your ACT wasn’t as high as you’d like because of difficulties or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Texas Tech Average ACT: 25
| ACT Score Range | Composite Score % |
|---|---|
| 30-36 | 18% |
| 24-29 | 51.7% |
| 18-23 | 29.8% |
| 12-17 | 0.5% |
| 6-11 | 0% |
| Below 6 | 0% |
What ACT score is required for Texas tech?
Applicants should score between 24 and 27 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute SAT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
One important thing to note. Although Tech is test-optional, the university assures admission if you are graduating from high school and have the right combination of class rank and standardized test scores listed below.
| Class Rank | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Top 10% | No minimum | No minimum |
| First Quarter (excluding top 10%) | 24 | 1180 |
| Second Quarter | 26 | 1240 |
| Third Quarter | 27 | 1280 |
| Fourth Quarter | Holistic Application Review | Holistic Application Review |
Is Texas Tech a good fit for me?
How do you know if you and Texas Tech fit together?
Tech may be a good match if….
You envision yourself thriving on a large campus with a total enrollment of over 40,000 students
You’re drawn to a school with a top-tier athletics program
You’re eager to get involved in student organizations — Tech has over 500, including a widely popular Greek life
You’re seeking a university recognized for both value and return on investment
You might consider a thorough examination of Texas Tech’s website, starting with its mission statement. How do you see yourself aligning with this mission and these values? Talk to current and former students about their experiences, and—if you can—pay a visit to Lubbock, TX, for a campus tour.
Texas Tech Application Deadlines
The Tech application deadline for regular decision is rolling—you can submit your application as late as August 1st!
Texas Tech also provides an alternative form of application in addition to regular decision: priority decision. Tech’s priority deadline is February 1. Below is a table showing the deadlines for each of the steps of the ASU admissions process.
| Notification Plan | Application Material | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Decision | Submit Test Scores | Optional |
| Scholarship Deadline | 12/1 | |
| Submit Application | 2/1 | |
| Admissions Decisions Released | 9/1 (rolling) | |
| Regular Decision | Submit Test Scores | Optional |
| Submit Application | 8/1 | |
| Submit Financial Aid Application (if still pending) | 1/15 | |
| Admissions Decisions Released | 9/1 (rolling) |
Texas Tech Supplemental Essay Prompts
Fortunately, Texas Tech does not require any supplemental essay prompts! For that matter, Tech doesn’t even require a personal statement.
However, if you don’t meet the automatic admission requirements (graduating in the top 10% of your class), and your GPA and test scores could stand to be a little higher, Tech recommends submitting either your Common App Personal Statement or Apply Texas Prompt, depending on which application you decide to use.
Special thanks to Harrison for writing this blog post.
Harrison Harvey is a writing coach, playwright, and college essay specialist. He strives to empower students to take ownership of the writing process and develop their voices as storytellers. He is an avid swimmer, voracious reader, crossword enthusiast, and proud uncle to the coolest girls in the world.
Top values: Curiosity | Creativity | Generosity
