Freshman Admission Requirements

Below are the standard admission requirements for freshmen. See the requirements for:

A. Graduate from a standard or accredited high school.
Check to see if your high school is on the list of regional accreditors.
 
B. Earn a C– or better in 15 college preparatory courses.
  • English—4 years. All four years should be in preparatory composition and literature with emphasis on and frequent practice in writing expository prose.
  • Mathematics—3 years. Must include first-year algebra and two additional years of college-preparatory mathematics, including Algebra II (or equivalent) or higher. An advanced mathematics course is highly recommended in your senior year. Algebra and geometry taken prior to ninth grade are acceptable.
  • Science—3 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—3 years. Complete three years of social studies from such areas as global studies, history, or social studies electives.
  • Second language—2 years. The UO offers several options for meeting the second-language requirement. 
C. Submit your official high school transcripts.
Transcripts should show courses through at least the end of eleventh grade. Upon graduation, submit a final transcript confirming graduation and showing all academic course work.
 
D. Submit SAT or ACT scores.
We accept SAT Reasoning Test or ACT (with the optional writing component). We prefer scores to be sent directly from the testing service, but we do accept scores reported on official high school transcripts or reported by the high school counselor on the paper application for admission. 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.
 
E. Submit an application essay.
The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 500 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO's Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

F. Explain personal circumstances (optional).
Advise us early in the admission process of any personal circumstances that affected your academic performance, especially if you do not meet one or more of the admission requirements. Include a statement 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. Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.

Now that you know what the requirements are, read about how we evaluate your application or start your application online.

Alternative Admission

If you do not meet one or more of the standard admission requirements, review the options for alternative admission, including information for students from nonaccredited high schools. Also, see the requirements for homeschooled students and students who earned a GED.