Freshman Admission Requirements
At Oklahoma State University, we're committed to helping qualified students be admitted to OSU to begin earning their college degrees. Check out our admission options below to see how you can become an OSU Cowboy. Please note that some academic colleges may have additional program-specific admission criteria.
We consider the whole student through a comprehensive review process.
At Oklahoma State University, ALL STUDENTS are encouraged to apply because we individually review each application through our holistic and alternative admission programs. We consider many factors, including high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, responses to application essays, academic letters of recommendation, leadership experience, community involvement and accomplishments.
- Admission appeal process
Students who have been denied admission may appeal one time by submitting the Freshman Admission Decision Appeal Petition in the application portal. Students are strongly encouraged to submit all updated academic information, including final high school transcripts, letters of recommendation and any additional ACT or SAT scores, before completing the petition. The appeal petition and other application materials will be evaluated by the Admissions Review Committee, and the student will be notified of the outcome within three business days. In order to be considered, your petition must be submitted by noon the Thursday prior to the start of the term for which you have applied. If you have questions about the petition process, contact us at 405-744-5358.
Test scores are optional for admission, but required for most scholarships.
If you don't wish to submit a test score, you may indicate that on your application for admission. Test-optional admission also applies to home school, private, parochial or other non-public high schools which are not accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
Currently, consideration for most university scholarships requires an official test score from ACT or SAT, and we encourage you to provide us your test scores as soon as they are available for maximum scholarship consideration.
You must have completed certain high school courses or equivalents.
15-Unit Core Curricular Requirements:
- 4 units of English (Grammar, Composition and Literature)
- 3 units of Mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II and above)
- 3 units of History and Citizenship Skills (must include 1 unit of American History and two units from the subjects of History, Economics, Geography, Government, Civics and/or Non-Western Culture)
- 3 units lab science (Biology, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Physics or any lab science certified by a school district)
- 2 units of other courses selected from any of the sections above or computer science or foreign language
We award college-level credits via advanced standing exam (AP, CLEP, IB and others).
More information about credit by exam
You might qualify for assured admission.
This means you're guaranteed a spot at Oklahoma State University. You qualify for assured admission if you meet ONE of the following criteria:
- 3.0 GPA or better AND top 33.3% rank in high school graduating class
- 3.0 GPA or better in 15-unit core AND 21 ACT/1060 SAT or better
- 24 ACT/1160 SAT or better
- GPA policyOklahoma State University uses the highest cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted based on a 4.0 scale) indicated on a student’s official high school transcript for admission and scholarship purposes. GPAs not using a 4.0 scale will be converted to a 4.0 scale.
- Test score policyAll official ACT and SAT scores received by OSU will be added to the student’s application, but only the highest score will be used for admission and scholarship purposes. Test scores received for students who choose test optional admission will still be added to the student’s file for scholarship purposes. OSU will only accept the official superscore provided directly from ACT for both admission and scholarship consideration.
- Assured admission criteria details for unaccredited and home school students
Graduates of a private, parochial or other non-public high school that is not accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, are eligible for assured admission to the university if the student has:
- Graduated from high school or a home study program AND
- Attained a 24 ACT/1160 SAT composite score or higher AND
- Satisfied the high school curricular requirements as certified with an original signature by the school official or, if home study, the parent
What about scholarships and aid?
Apply early to maximize your scholarship opportunities.