Freshman Admission Requirements
Freshman Admission Information
For admission consideration, you must have a high school GPA of at least 3.00, graduate from a standard or accredited high school, earn a C- or higher in fourteen college preparatory courses, and submit SAT or ACT scores. For guaranteed admission, you must have a high school GPA of at least 3.25, take at least sixteen college preparatory courses, and meet the other admission requirements.
Application options:
A nonrefundable $50 application fee is required. Find out how to get an application fee deferral.
Freshman Admission Requirements
We consider many factors when admitting students to the University of Oregon. Because of space limitations, we accept the best-qualified applicants. We consider such factors as the level of course work taken in high school, grades earned, grade trend, class rank, and senior-year course load. Academic potential and special talents are also considered.
Fulfilling the following minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the University of Oregon, but they are essential first steps:
1. Graduate from a standard or accredited high school
To be admitted, you must graduate from a standard or accredited high school. We offer tentative admission based on your sixth-semester transcripts and your planned senior schedule. Final admission is granted only after we have received transcripts verifying your graduation. If you graduated from a nonaccredited high school or were homeschooled, you must meet the alternative admission requirements.
2. Complete required course work
You must satisfactorily complete the following high school coursework, although graduates from Oregon high schools may also use the Proficiency-based Admission Standards System (PASS) to substitute for English, mathematics, and science courses.
To meet minimum admission requirements, you must complete fourteen units in the core areas below with a grade of C- or better in each course. These requirements must be completed before you can enroll at the UO.
- English-four years. All four years should be in preparatory composition and literature with emphasis on and frequent practice in writing expository prose
- Mathematics-three years. Must include first-year algebra and two additional years of college-preparatory mathematics such as geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, analytical geometry, calculus, finite mathematics, advanced applications, probability and statistics, or courses that integrate topics from two or more of these areas. An advanced mathematics course is highly recommended in your senior year. Algebra and geometry taken prior to ninth grade are acceptable. Regardless of the pattern of mathematics courses or the number of years of mathematics taken, the mathematics course work must include Algebra II (or equivalent) or higher
- Science-two years. Must include a year each in two fields of college-preparatory science such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science. One year of laboratory science is recommended
- Social Studies-three years. Complete three years of social studies from such areas as global studies, history, or social studies electives
- Second-language proficiency. Demonstrate with (1), (2), (3) or (4):
1. Two years of the same second language in high school; or
2. Two college terms of the same second language; or
3. Proficiency test (for example, SAT Subject Test or BYU Foreign Language Assessment); or
4. Other options for meeting the second-language requirement, including American Sign Language.
If you do not meet the second-language requirement, you may request in writing to be considered for an admission exception. Your request will be considered as part of the overall review of your application.
If you have not completed the required high school coursework, you may fulfill the requirements by doing one of the following:
- Take the following SAT Subject Tests: Math I or II, and a second test of your choice. Earn a total score of 940 or above for the two tests; or
- Take high school or college work to complete courses you missed in high school. A one-term transferable college course of at least three credits (quarter system) is equal to one year of high school work. We strongly encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions to verify that the courses you complete will satisfy your course pattern deficiencies; or
- Prove proficiency through the Proficiency-based Admission Standards System (PASS) in English, mathematics, or science.
3. Earn a GPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale and complete 14 total units of academic coursework to be considered for admission.
For guaranteed admission, earn a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.25 and complete at least 16 college preparatory units.
If your high school GPA is below a 3.25 on a 4.00 scale or you've completed fewer than 16 total units of academic coursework:
Your application will undergo a Comprehensive Review that considers such factors as the strength of your academic course work, your grade trends, class rank, standardized test scores, academic motivation as demonstrated in the submitted essay, special talents, and your ability to enhance the diversity of the university. Cocurricular activities will be considered but will not compensate for lower grades or weaker course schedules. For the fullest consideration of your application, request that an updated transcript be sent after your seventh semester is complete. A one-page application essay is required if you have completed fewer than 16 college preparatory courses during high school or you have a GPA below 3.25 on a 4.00 scale.
Essay: Your application essay must be 400 to 500 words long, reflect your own ideas, and be written by you alone. Use this opportunity to present your ideas in a focused, thoughtful, and meaningful manner. Write in a natural style and support your ideas with specific examples. Have at least one person edit your essay prior to submission. An application essay that is vague in meaning or is simply a list of qualities and accomplishments is not usually persuasive. The application essay must address the following topic:
Critically evaluate one important aspect of your educational experience to date. Among your options are a book, a course, an individual, or a significant experience that influenced you in a meaningful way. Then, in light of your discussion, briefly indicate how the University of Oregon might shape your future education.
If your GPA is below 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, please review our chart showing the minimum SAT scores needed for admission.
4. Submit your scores from standardized tests
We accept SAT Reasoning Test or ACT scores (with optional writing component) reported on official high school transcripts, reported by the high school counselor on the paper UO Application for Undergraduate Admission, or sent to us directly from the testing service. If you plan to participate in intercollegiate athletics, however, we must receive your scores from the testing service.
When you take the test, list the UO as one of your score recipients. Our school code number for the SAT Reasoning Test is 4846; our code for the ACT is 3498.
5. Explain your special circumstances
Advise us early in the admission process of any special circumstances that affected your academic performance, especially if you do not meet one or more of the admission requirements. Include a statement of personal circumstances (500-word maximum) with your application describing any personal challenges you’ve overcome and explain their impact on your education. Details of any serious illness, diagnosed disability, personal difficulties, or family circumstances that have affected your education are encouraged.
Applicants with GEDs
If you received your GED after January 2002, your standard score on each of the five examinations must be at least 410, with an overall average of 580 or higher. If you received your GED before January 2002, your standard score on each of the five examinations must be at least 40, with an overall average of 58 or higher.
With a GED, you are not required to submit SAT Reasoning Test or ACT scores or high school transcripts. If you received your GED spring 1997 or later, you must demonstrate second-language proficiency as described under Freshman Admission Requirements.
Homeschooled and nonaccredited high school graduates
To be considered for admission you need to meet all three of the following requirements:
- Complete either the SAT (includes Critical Reading, Math and Writing) with a minimum score of 1,540 or the ACT (including optional writing component) with a minimum score of 22
- Take the SAT Subject Tests in Math I or II, and a second test of your choice. Earn a total score of 940 or above for the two tests
- Demonstrate second-language proficiency as described above