The University of Texas at Dallas
Pre-Admissions Agreement
Comet Connection Program

In order to facilitate the process of student transfer, the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) have agreed to the following Pre-Admissions Agreement.  Students who sign the pre-admissions agreement and meet the criteria will be considered part of the Comet Connection program.

Dallas County Community College District students, who meet the University of Texas at Dallas admission requirements or complete the Associate of Arts/Science degree with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, will receive automatic admission to the University of Texas at Dallas.

A student may apply for pre-admission status at the time of first enrollment at any DCCCD institution, or at any time thereafter when enrolled at DCCCD, by completing a UTD Pre-Admissions Application.  After completing a minimum 30 hours and by the deadline date associated with the term in which this agreement was signed, participants must complete the Transfer Texas Common Application (electronic version) and submit official transcripts of all college work attempted in order to initiate the formal admission process at UTD.  To apply electronically, go to http://www.applytexas.org/ and follow the online instructions, selecting the Transfer application and UTD as the target institution.  Admitted students have 12 months from the semester of admission to enroll at UTD.

The institutions will work together to provide appropriate transfer guides utilizing the Texas Common Course Numbering System to identify the courses to be completed at DCCCD that will transfer to UTD.  Special attention will be given to courses that will apply toward prerequisites or requirements for a major at UTD.

Students participating in the Comet Connection will have access to the Pre-health Resource Center at UTD and be invited to participate in both Pre-Health and Pre-Law activities and sponsored events.  Pre-health and pre-law advisors will meet with students participating in the Comet Connection on a DCCCD campus each semester.

Students participating in the Comet Connection will have access to UTD libraries through TexShare and public terminals.

Students participating in the Comet Connection may purchase tickets to athletic and other selected events on UTD campus at the Comet Connection rate.

Students participating in the Comet Connection may participate in UTD’s Guaranteed Tuition Program.

UTD will provide the opportunity for DCCCD transfer students who attend UTD and meet UTD transfer scholarship criteria to apply for designated scholarships.  Information about applying for these scholarships is on the UTD Web site.

The two institutions will provide a smooth transition for qualified students wishing to enter the Honors program at UTD.  Acceptance to the Honors program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better on all college work.  The Honors program will accept up to 12 semester hours of honors credit with a grade of 3.5 or better earned at DCCCD toward the 24 honors hours required for Honor program recognition upon graduation from UTD.

UTD will provide DCCCD institutions with the annual data report (R-683-10) that includes the numbers and academic performance of former Dallas County Community College District students enrolled at University of Texas at Dallas as permitted under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The Office of the Registrar at UTD agrees to the following:

1. Through the electronic transfer admissions applications, request transfer students' permission for UTD to send transcripts and student contact information to DCCCD.
2. Forward DCCCD student transcripts to The Admissions and Records Office at DCCCD when individual students have earned a total of sixty (60) or more credit hours.  Transcripts will be forwarded electronically via SPEEDE (aka EDI)

The Admissions and Records Office at DCCCD agrees to the following:

1. Provide the Office of the Registrar at the University of Texas at Dallas with an electronic file reflecting the awarded associate degrees.

 Administrators for Dallas County Community College District and the University of Texas at Dallas will meet annually to assess the program and develop additional possible options to this agreement.

UTD officials will work with DCCCD officials to find ways to share information about students enrolled at UTD who could have sufficient hours to receive an associate’s degree from DCCCD. 

This agreement shall become effective October 24, 2006 and shall remain in effect until terminated by either party.  Termination can be processed when either UTD or DCCCD give written notice to the other institution 180 days prior to the requested termination date. 

In witness whereof, the authorized representatives of the parties have executed this agreement on this the October 24, 2006.