Freshman Orientation and Registration
An orientation/registration program (Bama Bound) is provided for all new freshman students to assist with the transition to college. Information about orientation and registration is sent to admitted students.
For all new undergraduate students, initial math placement will be based on ACT or SAT math score or previous college mathematics credit. Students may take the online math assessment if they do not have a math score from an ACT/SAT test, previous college mathematics credit, or would like an opportunity to improve their placement. Foreign language placement is determined by several factors. These factors include the following: the number of high-school units completed; language placement examination scores; or, for those with native or heritage competency, faculty evaluation. Students who have had prior exposure to and/or formal instruction in Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Spanish should take the UA Language Placement Test available in the myBama student portal. Assessments for incoming students should be completed at least one week prior to orientation to ensure that they can register for the appropriate classes.
Each orientation session gives students the opportunity to learn about the University, as well as academic programs and services offered to students. Students also enroll in classes for their first term at the University. Several orientation sessions are provided each year. For more information, visit orientation.ua.edu.
UA Online students should email online@ua.edu for registration information.
Preparation for College-Level Work
The Built by Bama Core Curriculum framework is designed to empower students, providing a flexible and dynamic educational experience that adapts to individual interests and career aspirations. By supporting double majors, themed pathways, and smooth transfer experiences, the program ensures students graduate on time with a comprehensive and meaningful skill set. With a focus on growth and readiness, it lays the foundation for lifelong success. Our foundational courses are crafted to ignite curiosity and equip students with essential skills for any career path: First-Year Compass Course, Written Composition, Natural & Mathematical Sciences, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Literature, Fine Arts, and World Languages. Prepare to stand out with advanced courses that elevate your education and broaden your horizons though U.S. and Global Citizenship and Advanced Writing.
Minimum Requirements for Admission
In terms of educational preparation, the college preparatory curriculum minimum unit requirements for regular admissions are:
| English | 4 units |
| Mathematics | 3 units, UA recommends algebra I, algebra II, and one unit of either geometry, trigonometry, or calculus |
| Social Studies | 4 units, should include world history or a comparable course. A second foreign language unit will satisfy one of the four required units |
| Natural Science | 3 units, including 2 units with lab components |
| Foreign Language | 1 unit, if foreign language is not a graduation requirement or there is not a foreign language program in your school system, UA will accept courses that reflect an enhanced understanding of global and cultural perspectives. |
| Other academic courses | 5 units, UA recommends courses in fine arts or computer literacy, with additional courses in mathematics, natural sciences and foreign language |
The course/unit requirement also applies to transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of college-level courses.
The University of Alabama will not require standardized ACT or SAT scores from students applying through the Fall 2027 Semester who have at least a 3.0 high school GPA. The presence of a score will not create an unfair advantage or disadvantage to students applying for admission. If you are unsure whether or not to submit a standardized test score, contact your high school counselor or UA recruiter.
For students who do not wish to submit a score:
- If you indicate that you do not want your test scores included in the review of your application for admission, you may still submit test scores for automatic merit scholarship consideration.
For students who wish to submit a score:
- If you indicate that you want your test scores included in the review of your application for admission, your application will remain incomplete until official test scores are received from ACT/SAT.
- For admission consideration UA will use the highest section score from any test dates of the same exam.
- For automatic merit scholarship consideration UA will use composite scores only.