Freshman FAQ

What are my chances of being admitted to the UO?

Two primary sets of requirements guide when and how an admission decision will be made. You may either meet minimum requirements, or guaranteed admission requirements.

Minimum admission requirements are:

1. Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
2. Fourteen units of coursework in core subject areas (English, math, social studies, science and a second language)
3. Test scores--SAT or ACT (with optional writing component)

Guaranteed admission requirements are:

1. Cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale
2. Sixteen units of coursework in core subject areas (English, math, social studies, science and second language)
3. Test scores--SAT or ACT (with optional writing component)

If you meet guaranteed admission requirements, you will receive an admission decision as soon as your complete application (including all transcripts, test scores) is received and processed.

If you do not meet guaranteed admission requirements, your application will undergo a comprehensive review. This process takes into consideration many factors, including strength of your high school curriculum, your grade trend throughout high school, performance in the seventh semester (the first half of your senior year), your test scores, your admission essay, and more.

When will I receive news about my admission to the UO?

If you meet guaranteed admission requirements, you will receive a letter of admission as soon as your complete application is received and processed. Notification can take three to six weeks, depending on the volume of applications at that time.

If you do not meet guaranteed admission requirements, your application will undergo comprehensive review. You will receive a decision letter by late March. More information about comprehensive review.

Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?

We don’t require letters of recommendation, but we will review anything the student submits in an effort to shed light on his or her academic background. If your GPA is 3.00 or below, letters of recommendation are advised.

What’s the difference between the application essay and a personal statement?

The admissions essay is required for students with fewer than sixteen college-preparatory units, or a cumulative high school GPA of below 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. A personal statement is information provided by the student about factors that contributed to a decreased academic performance. It is completely individual to each student’s life, and is not required.

Is an interview or campus visit necessary?

Although not necessary, we always encourage prospective students and families to visit campus. Group-style information sessions are held twice daily that focus on many common questions and issues. Campus tours are held directly after these sessions, so we recommend allotting at least a half-day for the visit, especially if you’d like to meet advisers or faculty members in specific departments. The tours are delivered by current students and end up back at the location of the information sessions. Visiting helps students get a “feel” for the atmosphere and energy on our campus. More information on campus visits.

We don’t conduct formal interviews in the Office of Admissions, but students and families are welcome to make an appointment with an admissions counselor for specific questions or issues that they prefer to address one-on-one. Admissions counselors take pre-arranged appointments, as well as drop-ins. 

What if I do not meet the UO's minimum admission requirements?

Even if you don’t meet the minimum admission requirements, we encourage you to apply for admission. We particularly encourage you to supply information about any personal circumstances that led to a decreased academic performance. If you would like to speak with an admission counselor about factors considered in the application review process or options such as transfer student admission, call (800) BE-A-DUCK.

What’s the minimum SAT Reasoning Test or ACT score required for admission? Do I need to take SAT Subject Tests exams?

While the UO requires all freshman applicants to submit scores from either the SAT or  ACT, we do not require students to earn minimum scores on these exams unless their GPA is below 3.0. If your high school GPA falls below 3.0, you can refer to our alternate admissions chart to find the minimum score needed to be considered for admission. We do require that all freshmen applicants submit scores from either the SAT or ACT (with optional writing component). If your high school prints test scores on its transcripts, that is sufficient for your application. If not, contact the College Board or ACT administrators to have your scores sent to the UO. We don't require SAT Subject Tests exams for admission unless you have graduated from an unaccredited high school or were homeschooled.

We do grant college credit for AP and IB exam scores that meet our requirements. Credits are awarded on a sliding scale with the minimum score usually at a 3 or 4 to earn credit. IB scores of 5 on the Higher Level exams are required to earn UO credit.

The AP or IB exam scores listed on your high school transcript are not sufficient to earn credit; you must obtain an official score report from either AP or IB administrators and have it sent to the UO.

A complete list of AP/IB exams and corresponding credit awarded.

How can a student who was homeschooled or attended an unaccredited high school gain admission to the UO?

To be considered for admission, you need to meet all three of the following requirements:

1. Complete either the SAT with a minimum score of 1,540 for critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores combined or the ACT with a minimum composite score of 22; and
2. Take the SAT Subject Test (Mathematics I or II), and a second test of your choice. Earn an average score of 470 or more (940 total) for the two tests. A test in a second language is strongly recommended to meet the second language proficiency requirements.
3. Demonstrate second-language proficiency.

Can I be considered for admission of I earned a GED?

The UO admits students for a specific term. If you do not enroll at the university for the term in which you were admitted, you must submit a new application with updated transcripts to reapply for a different term. Your $50 application fee is good for one academic year (fall through summer terms). Applications and supporting documents are kept on record for one calendar year.

How do I apply for on-campus housing?

While waiting to receive an admission decision, you can apply for University Housing. You may apply for housing online or with a paper application after you have received your UO Identification number and your PAC from the Office of Admissions. To apply online, log on to DuckWeb. A nonrefundable $30 application fee is required and applications received by March 31 are given priority. Housing applications received after March 31 are accepted and added to a waiting list from which subsequent offers are made if spaces become available. Please note that housing information is automatically mailed to you and receiving it does not imply an admission decision. For more on housing go to housing.uoregon.edu.

Is the November 1 early notification deadline a binding deadline?

No. The early notification deadline means that if you apply by November 1 for admission, you will receive a response from the Admissions Office by December 15. You still have until May 1 to make your decision.

 Are scholarships available?

Eligible incoming freshmen will be considered for many scholarships including the Dean's, Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), Oregon Community Credit Union, Laurel and general university scholarships by completing the University of Oregon admission application by January 15. No additional scholarship application is required for freshmen to be considered for these awards. For more scholarship information, including specific criteria and award amounts, please visit the financial aid website.

You’ll be able to register for your classes after you meet with your adviser during orientation. Several orientation sessions are held during the month of July when you learn about degree requirements, meet with your adviser, and register for classes. If you aren’t able to come to campus in the summer, you’ll meet with your advisers and register for classes the week before school begins in September. We encourage you to take advantage of the Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program and Freshman Seminars, where the opportunity to take classes in smaller groups is more readily available. Information on FIGs and Seminars is sent out toward the end of your senior year.

How much does it rain in Eugene?

Normal annual rainfall is 43 inches, which is about the same as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York (not combined!). Eugenians are accustomed to the rain, and it’s common to see people riding bikes and running outside throughout the year. Eugene's climate, with an average temperature of 53 degrees, is one of the city's attractive features. Mild winters, long growing seasons, and few drastic weather changes are characteristic.