RAI Information

This page contains details about the Regent Admission Index, which is used to determine automatic admission of freshman applicants to the Iowa Regent Universities.

Page Index

Definitions

Test score: Enter your ACT composite score, or, if you took the SAT after February 2016, enter your evidence based reading and writing score and mathematics score. This RAI calculator works with SAT scores taken after February 2016. If you took the SAT prior to February 2016, please convert your score to the new SAT scoring system before calculating your RAI using this tool. This calculator will convert your SAT score to an ACT equivalent according to the following table (updated 7/11/2018):

SAT Score
               ( Total )              
ACT Equivalent
( Composite )
1570 - 1600
36
1530 - 1560
35
1490 - 1520
34
1450 - 1480
33
1420 - 1440
32
1390 - 1410
31
1360 - 1380
30
1330 - 1350
29
1300 - 1320
28
1260 - 1290
27
 1230 - 1250
26
1200 - 1220
25
1160 - 1190
24
1130 - 1150
23
1100 - 1120
22
1060 - 1090
21
1030 - 1050
20
990 - 1020
19
960 - 980
18
920 - 950
17
880 - 910
16
830 - 870
15
780 - 820
14
730 - 770
13
690 - 720
12
650 - 680
11
620 - 640 10
590 - 610 9

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Grade-point average: Enter your high school grade-point average and scale.

If your school provides more than one GPA (e.g.weighted GPA and non-weighted GPA), use the best GPA.

Number of completed core courses: Enter the number of full-year courses that you've taken or plan to take in English, mathematics, natural science, social science, and world languages. (A one-semester course counts as 0.5.) While additional courses in areas such as the fine arts and technology will help round out your high school experience and prepare you for future careers, they are not part of the core courses used to calculate your admission index.

Working with your high school guidance counselor, consult the following document to determine what courses count in the Regent Admission Index calculation:

Acceptable courses for Regent Admission Index (PDF) 
 

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What Does This Index Mean?

The Regent Admission Index combines factors that strongly predict success at regent universities: ACT or SAT test score, high school cumulative grade-point average, and the number of completed high school core courses. 

Iowa high school graduates must achieve a Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of at least 245 and take the minimum number of required high school courses to qualify for automatic admission as freshmen to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa. Students who achieve a score less than 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis.

 

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If You Are Not an Iowa High School Student

If you are interested in applying to an Iowa Regent University, but you are not an Iowa high school student (e.g., you are a nonresident, transfer, or returning student), visit any of the university web sites below to learn about admission requirements.

University of Iowa (opens new window)
Iowa State University (opens new window)
University of Northern Iowa (opens new window)

 

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If Your Index Score is Below 245

Students who don't achieve a Regent Admission Index score of 245, but who otherwise demonstrate potential and commitment to succeed at a Regent University, may be offered admission after an individual review of their application. 

 

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High School Course Requirements

In addition to meeting the Regent Admission Index requirement, students must complete the minimum number of high school courses specified below for the institution to which they're applying.

Subject Area Iowa State University University of Iowa University of Northern Iowa
English/Language Arts 4 years emphasizing writing, speaking, and reading, as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature. 4 years, with an emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of literature, composition and speech. 4 years, including one year of composition; may also include one year of speech, communication, or journalism.
Math 3 years, including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra.

3 years, including two years of algebra and one year of geometry, for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

4 years, including two years of algebra, one year each of geometry and higher math (trigonometry, analysis or calculus), for admission to the College of Engineering.

3 years, including the equivalent of algebra, geometry and algebra II.
Natural Science 3 years, including at least two years of courses which emphasize elements of biology, chemistry or physics.

3 years, including courses in physical science, biology, chemistry, environmental science and physics for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

3 years, with at least one year each in chemistry and physics, for admission to the College of Engineering. Nursing - 3 years including one year each of biology, chemistry and physics.

3 years, including courses in general science, biology, chemistry, earth science or physics. Laboratory experience highly recommended.
Social Studies

2 years for admission to the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Design, Human Sciences and Engineering.

3 years for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

3 years, with U.S. history and world history recommended for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

2 years, with U.S. history and world history recommended, for admission to the College of Engineering.

3 years, including courses in anthropology, economics, geography, government, history, psychology or sociology.
World Languages 2 years of a single world language for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. 2 years of a single world language are required for admission. For many degrees, the fourth year of proficiency is required for graduation. Nursing - Minimum second-level proficiency in one world language. World language courses are not required for admission. However, two years of a world language in high school with a C- or above in the last term will meet the university graduation requirement.
Other Courses Specific elective courses are not required for admission. Specific elective courses are not required for admission. 2 years of additional courses from the required subject areas, world languages or fine arts.

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Freshman Admission Requirements to the Regent Universities

Freshman Admission Requirements (PDF) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Regent Admission Index Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) 

For More Information

Your high school counselor is an excellent source of information about planning for college. We recommend you speak with your counselor as early as possible about taking courses that will prepare you for success in college.

For more information about the Iowa Regent Universities and admission requirements, visit the web sites below:

The University of Iowa | Iowa State University | University of Northern Iowa
 

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