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Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

First-year student admission requirements

High school courses of 15 units in required subject areas.

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of mathematics
  • 3 years of science
  • 3 years of social studies
  • 2 years of one foreign language

Also recommended: an additional unit of advanced mathematics and science

Although not required, a campus visit is strongly recommended, along with attendance at an information session.

Standardized testing

Oregon State University has a test-optional admissions policy. Our holistic admissions process considers the various skills, abilities and achievements of each applicant when identifying and admitting future OSU students. As part of our review, we'll be looking at:

  • High school grades (including courses taken and rigor of coursework)
  • Grades in any college or dual-credit courses
  • Information from your application's personal statement
  • Your application's essay response
  • Unique experiences and diverse perspectives you bring to the table
  • Special talents and achievements

Test scores, if you choose to submit them, aren't considered as the primary reason for an OSU admissions decision. But they are always considered in context and as supplemental information.

Transfer student requirements

GPA

Cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher. Note that grades from courses taken more recently are weighted more heavily than grades earned years ago.

Math and writing

A strong transfer application typically includes your completion of a college-level writing equivalent to WR 121(English Composition) with C- or higher and a college-level math equivalent to MTH 111z or MTH 105 with a C- or higher.

Completion of college-level mathematics is strongly recommended if you're applying to a STEM-field major so that you remain on track for participation in upper division coursework and timely graduation.

If you're admitted to OSU without a college-level mathematics or college-level writing course, you must complete those at OSU within their first 45 credits.

If you've already graduated high school or earned your GED and have earned fewer than 24 transferable quarter college credits (16 semester credits), you will be reviewed for admissibility based on both high school work (or GED scores) and transferable coursework.

Note: If you've completed two or more years of a foreign language in high school with a C- or better, make sure to send the admissions office an official copy of your final high school transcript (containing a graduation date) if you would like to use it towards meeting OSU’s secondary language admissions/graduation requirement.

See First-Year Admissions Requirements for more info on how high school work is considered.

If you're a domestic student who has already graduated from high school, and have earned 24 transferable quarter hours (16 semester hours) from one or more regionally accredited colleges or universities, you are considered to be a transfer student in the admissions process. You do not need to provide OSU with test scores and/or high school transcripts.

If you are an international student, see International Student Requirements.


Graduate student admission requirements

Oregon State University offers admission to applicants whose records demonstrate the highest potential for successful graduate study and promise for substantial contribution to their academic professions and to a diverse, global society.

Admission decisions are based on many factors, such as the quality of the applicant’s prior academic degree and record of accomplishment, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, performance in aptitude and achievement tests, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study and the connection of the applicant’s academic goals with the faculty’s research interests.