Freshman Admission FAQ

1. How will my application to the UO be considered?
2. When will I receive news about my admission to the UO?
3. Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?
4. What’s the difference between the application essay and a personal statement?
5. Is an interview or campus visit necessary?
6. What if I do not meet the UO's minimum admission requirements?
7. What’s the minimum SAT Reasoning Test or ACT score required for admission? Do I need to take SAT Subject Tests exams?
8. Does the UO give college credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores?
9. If I was homeschooled or attended an unaccredited high school, how can I gain admission to the UO?
10. Can I be considered for admission if I earned a GED?
11. Can I defer admission?
12. How do I apply for on-campus housing?
13. Is the November 1 early notification deadline a binding deadline?
14. Are scholarships available from the UO?
15. When do I register for my first classes?
16. How much does it rain in Eugene?

1. How will my application to the UO be considered?

   To be considered for admission to the UO, you must meet our standard admission requirements. Your application will undergo our standard admission process. For automatic admission, earn a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.40 on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 16 college preparatory units with grades of C- or better in each course, in addition to meeting the standard admission requirements. If you do not meet the standard admission requirements, explore the options for alternative admission.

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

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

   If you do not meet automatic admission requirements, your application will undergo our standard review process. You will receive an admission decision by late March.

3. Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?

   We don’t require letters of recommendation, but we will review any that 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.

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

   The admissions essay is required for the standard admission process. A personal statement is not required, but may be submitted to explain any obstacles in your life that hindered your academic performance in high school.

5. Is an interview or campus visit necessary?

   Although not necessary, we always encourage you to visit campus—it's the best way to determine if the UO is the best fit for you. Campus tours are held twice daily, Monday through Friday and once on Saturday. Group-style information sessions, which focus on many common questions and issues, are held directly after the tours. We recommend allotting at least a half-day for the visit, especially if you’d also like to meet advisers or faculty members in specific departments. The tours are delivered by current students and end at the location of the information sessions. A campus visit can help you get a feel for the atmosphere and energy on our campus. Portland-based information sessions are also available at the White Stag Block. More information on visiting the Eugene campus or Portland center is available on the Campus Visits webpage.

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

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

   First, explore the options for alternative admission. 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 hindered your 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.

7. 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 SAT or  ACT (with optional writing component), we do not require you to earn minimum scores on these exams unless your 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. 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. Learn more by exploring options for alternative admission.

8. Does the UO give college credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores?

   The UO grants college credit for AP and IB exam scores that meet the university's requirements. Credits are awarded on a sliding scale. 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 the AP or IB administrators and have it sent to the UO.
   

9. If I was homeschooled or attended an unaccredited high school, how can 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.

Learn more by exploring options for alternative admission.

10. Can I be considered for admission if I earned a GED?

    The UO welcomes applicants with GEDs. If you received your GED after January 2002, your average 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. 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.
    
    Learn more by exploring options for alternative admission.
     
11. Can I defer admission?

    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).

12. How do I apply for on-campus housing?

    Plan to apply for housing as soon as possible—you don't need to be admitted to the university to apply. Housing is generally awarded on a first-come basis. An application will be sent to you automatically when your application for admission is received. More information is available from University Housing.

13. 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 Office of Admissions by December 15. You still have until May 1 to make your decision.

14. Are scholarships available from the UO?

    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. More scholarship information, including specific criteria and award amounts, is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

    Presidential Scholarships
    Incoming Oregon-resident freshmen with stellar academic records, leadership experience, and a commitment to volunteer service are encouraged to apply separately for a Presidential Scholarship. The University Scholarship Committee considers academic performance, SAT I or ACT scores, and extracurricular involvement as well as writing ability and creativity as demonstrated in the scholarship essays. The Presidential Scholarship Application is due January 15.
    
    Diversity Excellence Scholarships
    The University of Oregon Diversity Excellence Scholarship (formerly Diversity-Building Scholarship or DBS) recognizes students who enhance the educational experience of all students by sharing diverse cultural experience. Selection criteria include academic performance, family educational history, financial need, and ethnic background. The Diversity Excellence Scholarship application is due January 15.
     
15. When do I register for my first classes?

    You’ll register for your classes after you meet with your adviser during orientation. Several orientation sessions, called IntroDUCKtion, are held during the month of July. You'll 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 Groups (FIGs) and Freshman Seminars. Information on FIGs, Freshman Seminars, and class registration is sent out toward the end of your senior year.

16. 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!). In Eugene, the rain is concentrated between the months of October and April. 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.