Texas Tech University

Volunteer Guide

INTRODUCTION


The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is responsible for the majority of recruitment efforts for Texas Tech University. International or graduate students interested in attending the university should contact the Graduate School or the Office of International Affairs.

The admissions staff strives to provide personalized service throughout the recruitment and admissions process. A network of volunteer recruiters is a vital part of this process.

Please use this and other Texas Tech publications such as the view book, catalog and website as supplemental resources for information.

Role of the Volunteer Recruiter

There are numerous ways to get involved as a volunteer. College fairs, prospective student receptions and college information sessions are just a few ways to help recruit prospective students in your area. Visit our website for more information.

Recommended
Responsibilities

  • Stay informed of basic admissions information
  • Participate in student recruitment events and programs
  • Provide support at special events
  • Provide feedback to Undergraduate Admissions regarding recruitment materials and activities
  • Refer prospective students to Undergraduate Admissions

Ethical
Standards

As a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), Texas Tech University is committed to the Principles of Good Practice. To view this document, visit here. Thank you for being a part of our recruitment team!

TRAINING

We recognize the importance of providing training and resource materials to volunteers. We will provide volunteers with a copy of this guide, view books, brochures, and other materials as needed. Please use this guide as a resource.

COLLEGE FAIRS


Volunteers provide a valuable service by assisting the Undergraduate Admissions representatives at college fairs. The ideal volunteer must be open, honest and positive about Texas Tech and enjoy communicating wth young people.

Representing Texas Tech at a College Fair

Your responsibility is to distribute recruitment materials, answer questions and obtain inquiry cards from interested students. These materials will be sent to you prior to the event. Any student data should be returned to the admissions office as soon as possible. Admissions counselor will follow up with students about additional information about Texas Tech.

Assisting a Texas Tech Representative at a College Fair

Many colleges and universities typically attend college fairs coordinated by the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO). TACRAO serves as the coordinating body for Texas college fairs. These events are usually two hours in length and are held at a high school, civic center, or community college. We abide by the TACRAO Guidelines for College Programs during all recruitment activity.

TACRAO GUIDELINES


Registration for college fairs:

Each institution must register for the college fair by designated deadlines and notify the host of any cancellations.

Institutions may solicit an invitation to a particular program. The host of the program does have the right of refusal.

The following materials are NOT to be distributed at TACRAO sponsored programs:
  • Buttons, pennants, posters, rulers, candy, t-shirts, or other gimmicks.
  • Demonstrations such as food preparation, drawing caricatures, hair cutting or other similar activities are not permitted.
Appropriate items:
  • Brochures, programs, and catalogs and other items containing factual information.
  • Pens, pencils, and stickers with your institutions name.

Representatives:

  • Alumni must be trained and MUST be identified as alumni on their name badge.
  • Representatives must remain behind or beside the table during the shopping portions and they are expected to remain at the program until it is over.
  • Limit students or other non-professionals to two.
  • Do not, at any time, block the view of another representative.
Displays:
  • Displays must be confined to the tabletop provided.
  • Audiovisual equipment is not allowed in browsing or common areas. Only those schools with individual rooms can use this type of equipment. Call ahead of time if you want permission to use the host school’s equipment.
  • Aisles in front of the booth must be kept completely clear of promotional display materials.
  • Billboards or displays used in the browsing area are limited to 36 inches above the table.

TIPS FOR ATTENDING A COLLEGE FAIR


Preparing for a College Fair

  • Review information provided in this guide including official Texas Tech publications.
  • Dress professionally but remember to wear comfortable shoes as you will spend most of the time standing.
  • Business casual attire is appropriate and red and black is always encouraged.
  • Be friendly, and helpful

Arrival & Set-Up

  • Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the program starts.
  • Locate the assigned Texas Tech table.
  • Most college fairs are set up in a “browse” format. Students and parents move from table to table.

During a College Fair

Offer to answer questions. Conversations are usually short and concern very basic information. Remember that many students are just beginning their college search and will have few questions at this point. Remain behind the table.

OBTAINING CONTACT INFORMATION
  • At some college fairs, an admissions counselor may have a handheld scanner used to obtain contact information.
  • Obtain the student's information and follow up at a later time if there are specific questions you cannot answer.
STUDENTS WHO WANT MORE INFORMATION
  • Students looking to receive additional information should fill out an inquiry card or be referred to our website
  • Encourage students to apply online at Apply Texas or Common App
  • Deadlines and more information can be found at our website

Do's & Don'ts for Volunteers at a College Fair

DO

Be friendly, attentive and smile.

Share your feelings about the University and the preparation it provided for you in your career.

Understand that Texas Tech is not for everyone.

Know basic information on admissions, cost of attending and the history and traditions of Texas Tech.

Arrive early so that you may visit with other Texas Tech representatives/volunteers and receive additional instructions for the event.

Refer specific questions (admissions, housing, financial aid etc.) to campus representatives when possible.

DON'T

"Steal" students from other tables

Be afraid to say you don't know the answer to a question. Have the student contact Undergraduate Admissions or the specific department/school directly

Say negative things about other institutions. Only discuss Texas Tech's strengths

Guarantee admission or speak to specific possibilities of a student being admitted.

Interacting with ProspectiveStudents and Their Families

When speaking with you, this is a student or family's first impression of the University. It is our goal to provide the most accurate information possible so that families will be able to make an informed decision about which school to attend.

Texas Tech University may not be right for everyone. For this reason, it is best to not appear aggressive, but answer questions to those who are already interested. Visiting the campus should be strongly encouraged.

TIPS FOR INTERACTING WITH FAMILIES

Answer their questions. Stay focused on their interests.

Be approachable. A smile and a handshake may help them feel more comfortable.

Establish eye contact.

Be honest. Do not tell a student or parent what you think they want to hear.

Have fun!

Occasionally students are hesitant in asking questions. Ask the following questions to help initiate a dialogue.

  • Do you have any questions about Texas Tech?
  • What made you consider Texas Tech?
  • What are you interested in studying?
  • Have you ever visited the campus?
  • What extra-curricular activities are you currently involved in at high school or community college?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have my major?

With nearly 150 programs within 10 academic colleges, it is highly likely that Texas Tech has the major of choice for most students. Oftentimes, the names of academic programs will vary between institutions but are essentially the same. It is important that you are familiar with our academic offerings.

How many students attend Texas Tech?

Total Enrollment is 40,969 (Fall 2024).

What is the student-to-faculty ratio?

20:1

How can I visit Texas Tech?

Campus Tours - Campus tours are given Monday through Friday and select Saturdays. In addition to campus tours, the office of Undergraduate Admissions offers many different special events for students to see the campus. Please encourage students to visit our website.

Texas Tech Preview – Preview is a large open house with academic information sessions, campus tours, and student service/organization fairs. It is a fun-filled with a lot of Texas Tech spirit and tradition! This event is held in October each year.

How can I be placed on a mailing list?

To request information, students should complete this form, set up a Raider Connect account or fill out the inquiry card at the table.

What kind of high school grades do I have to have to go to Texas Tech?

The admissions process is holistic for freshman students who do not meet assured admissions. Undergraduate Admissions will look at everything in a student's application to determine if the student could be successful at Texas Tech. Students should visit our website for specific admission requirements.

When can I apply?

Applications are accepted for Fall 2026 beginning July 1, 2025. Applications for admission are available at Apply Texas or Common App Texas Tech has no preference for one type of application over another, but it’s important that students submit only one per admissions cycle.

When will I find out if I am accepted?

Once a student's application is complete, they will receive notification of their admission decision within 2 – 4 weeks. Decisions for fall admission generally begin in October.

How can I check my status?

Students should establish their Raider Connect account through the admissions website. Once students apply, students can check their admission status on this portal. If admitted, students will establish an eRaider username and password that they will use later for other official university business (housing, orientation/class registration etc).

Do I have to write the essays?

Essays are optional. However, they are strongly encouraged when a student does not meet the assured-admission criteria and will be reviewed holistically. Additionally, essays that are submitted are considered in the scholarship selection process.

How much does it cost to attend Texas Tech?

The cost of attendance for a 30 hour academic year is $29,086 for residents in Texas and New Mexico and Oklahoma bordering counties. Residents of New Mexico and Oklahoma that do not reside in bordering counties pay $29,986. The cost of attendance for non-Texas Residents is $41,685.

What percentage of students receive some type of financial aid (merit or need-based)?

84% of the student body received some type of financial assistance in Fall 2024.

Does Texas Tech offer scholarships?

General Scholarships - Texas Tech awards almost $15 million in scholarship awards each year. Scholarship awards are given for grades, community service, leadership, and many other factors. Prospective students should apply at Apply Texas or Common App

Do I have to live on campus?

Yes, Texas Tech is a residential college campus and students with less than 30 credit hours must live on campus. Students are exempt from on-campus living when they have 30 credit hours beyond high school.

What athletic conference does Texas Tech belong to?

Texas Tech is an NCAA Division 1 school and a member of the Big 12 Athletic Conference

ADDMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following items are required for admission consideration:

  • Applications for admission are available at Apply Texas or Common App
      Texas Tech has no preference for one type of application over another, but it’s important that you submit only one per admissions cycle.
  • $75 application fee or fee waiver
  • Create your Raider Connect account
  • High school transcript
  • Official SAT and/or ACT scores (Optional), Learn more, SAT code: 6827 ACT code: 4220

International applicants have additional requirements.

FRESHMEN REQUIREMENTS

View the recommended curriculum for detailed information regarding the curriculum requirements for the recommended high school program in the state of Texas.

Assured Admission

Required for all business and engineering majors. Engineering applicants who do not meet the assured admission requirement will be placed in pre-engineering.

*ACT composite score; SAT reflects evidence-based reading and writing, and math; The highest section scores from multiple tests on the ACT and SAT will be used to maximize score. Assured admission is granted to all students who hold competitive scholarships awarded by an official Texas Tech University scholarship committee
High School Rank ACT SAT
TOP 10% No Minimum No Minimum
First Quarter 24 1180
Second Quarter 26 1240
Third Quarter 27 1280
Fourth Quarter Application Review Application Review

TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS

Assured Admission

Earn guaranteed admission based on completed transferable credit hours and cumulative GPA. If you present the required combination below, you will receive assured admission.

Transferable Hours

12-23 Hours

24 or more hours

GPA Requirements

2.50 cumulative

2.25 cumulative

GPA is cumulative for all transferable courses from all schools attended, and courses taken for grade replacement are used for GPA calculation only if the same course is repeated at the same institution where it was originally taken.

Application Review

If you do not meet assured admission requirements but have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, an admissions committee will evaluate your potential based on other criteria:

  • Academics – types of courses taken and pattern of progress, as well as coursework taken leading toward major
  • Student-submitted essay – explanation of the decision to transfer to Texas Tech, reasons for past academic performance and plans to ensure future academic success
  • Extracurricular activities, employment, leadership and work experience, special talents or awards and other information relevant to the admission decision

We strongly encourage students with a cumulative GPA or transferable credit hours below requirements or who haven’t taken college coursework in the past two or more semesters to submit an essay explaining circumstances that have impacted their past academic performance.

Importamt Dates

FAFSA Available 10.01.25
Spring Priority Application Date 11.01.25
Priority Application Date 12.01.25
Fall Priority Application Date 06.01.26

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Student Financial Aid programs provide assistance to students who, without such assistance, would not be able to pursue higher education. The Office of Student Financial handles need-based, college, and departmental scholarships.

Texas Tech Scholarships

At Texas Tech University, scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and/or financial need.

Student should apply online at Apply Texas or Common App no later than December 1.

FAFSA

To apply for state, federal and privately funded programs, student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2025-2026 Academic Year

The following estimates are based on a semester class credit hour academic schedule of 30 semester hours per year(15 hours per semester).

TX AND BORDER COUNTIES IN NM/OK

$29,086

RESIDENTS OF NM/OK (not in counties bordering Texas)

$29,986

NON-RESIDENT

$41,685

Freshmen Merit Scholarship Program

*Award amount is determined by test score and unweighted high school GPA

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

Awards of $7,000-$9,000: 3.5 GPA and 30 TTU hours

Awards of $3,000-$6,500: 3.25 GPA and 30 TTU hours

Awards of $1,000 to $2,500: 3.0 GPA and 30 TTU hours

Awards are renewable for up to 4 consecutive years (eight total terms).

ACT composite score; SAT reflects evidence-based reading and writing, and math; the highest section scores from multiple tests on the ACT and SAT will be used to maximize score

* These awards are for the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change without notice. No additional application is required. Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 hours for fall & spring terms.

Undergraduate Majors

Visit our website to learn more about all the Undergraduate Majors offered at Texas Tech University.

Contact

Undergraduate Admissions