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Going to college in Arizona is as easy as 1, 2, 3. The easiest way to get accepted is to be an Arizona resident, complete the Sweet 16 course requirements and graduate in the top 25% of your high school class. If you can do that, you’ll significantly improve your chances of getting into any of Arizona’s three public universities.

Note: All students — even undocumented students and regardless of citizenship status — can apply for college admission. There can be challenges, but there are also great resources to ensure that all students can plan for college. And the University of Arizona has countless resource centers and student services available to help all students achieve their goals.

Paths to a University Degree

There are three main paths you can take to ultimately get into a university in the state of Arizona: students can work toward guaranteeing their admission, they can work to gain admission by being a well-rounded student or they can begin at a community college. Each path accommodates and considers different kinds of students and educational experiences. College awaits, no matter which road you take! 

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The Direct Path: Assured Admission

The easiest way to enter a university in Arizona is to fulfill three easy requirements:

1. Complete the Sweet 16: There are 16 classes you need to complete during high school to boost your chances of getting into a public university in Arizona. We call these classes the “Sweet 16.” Meet with your counselor regularly to ensure you take the right courses.
2. Be an Arizona Resident: You don’t have to be an Arizona resident to attend an Arizona university. If you are a resident, however, the application process is easier. For most students, being an Arizona resident means graduating from an accredited high school within the State of Arizona. That’s it!
3. Graduate in the Top 25% of Your Class: To help with admission, you should strive to graduate in the top 25% of your high school class or earn a 3.0 unweighted GPA in the Sweet 16 courses. Additionally, a student’s GPA is often a factor considered for university and private scholarships. The better the grades, the better your chances!

If you fulfill these three requirements, you are essentially guaranteed admission to any of the three public universities in Arizona.

The Scenic Path: Comprehensive Admission

Sometimes, students don’t meet the requirements for assured admission. In fact, most students don’t meet all of these requirements — and it’s not an issue. These students are reviewed in a different process called comprehensive admission. This is a complete look at the whole student, which means it is often better to have a well-rounded experience in high school. Below you will find some insights into the areas upon which you may be evaluated for admission. All students are also evaluated using some of this information for university merit-based scholarships.

• Essays: Some applications give you an opportunity to write a short essay or personal statement. This is a chance to highlight your accomplishments and goals for the future or to share what makes you uniquely qualified for admission. In special circumstances essays may offer an opportunity to share challenges you have overcome,
• Tests: Arizona universities do not require students to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. If a student chooses to submit official SAT/ACT scores, they may be used to clear course deficiencies or assist with class placement. 
• Advanced Courses: Taking more challenging courses strengthens your transcript and makes you better prepared for college-level courses. Consider enrolling in courses such as honors, dual enrollment and/or AP (Advanced Placement).
• Involvement and Leadership: Participation in clubs, sports or other activities (both in and out of school) can speak to your development as a person and can offer opportunities to gain leadership. Such involvement and leadership can help you gain valuable experience and develop relationships that can lead to future letters of recommendation.

The Alternate Path: Transfer Pathway

Arizona community colleges may be the best route for you to begin working toward your 4-year degree. There are also programs where you can attend both a university and a community college at the same time. There are strategies to ensure your time is transferable at an Arizona university, but all methods begin with a visit to an advisor at your community college.

• AGEC: The Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) is a series of 36 units (about 12 classes) that you can take to transfer to a university in Arizona. Because the community colleges have an agreement with the universities, all units in these programs transfer to your new institution. There are three types of AGECs, depending on the 4-year degree you want to attain: “A” for liberal arts majors, “B” for business majors and “S” for science majors.
• Associate’s Degree: Another way to guarantee yourself admission as a transfer student is to complete an associate’s degree. Although the number of transferrable units varies from program to program, simply completing an associate’s degree is your key to university admission through the transfer pathway. If you meet with an advisor at your community college, you can ensure as many units as possible transfer, and that your degree program is aligned with requirements at the university.