Freshman Admission

You're on your way to becoming an official Cowboy.
Who counts as a freshman applicant?
In this section
- Admission requirements
- Application steps
- Essays
- Tips for applying
- Freshman scholarships
- Dates & deadlines
- Get mail
- Visit

Find your admission counselor to discuss anything regarding applications, official documents, fees and requests.
Or, see if they are coming to an admissions event near you.
What's required?You'll need these four things to be considered for admission:
- Completed Admission/Scholarship application
- $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school transcript reflecting unweighted GPA and class rank (if available)
- ACT or SAT test score*
*Due to COVID-19, admission to OSU is test optional for the spring and fall 2021 entering classes. Students can indicate if they have been unable to take an ACT or SAT test due to COVID-19 on their application for admission. Students can apply with only a high school transcript and may be considered for admission by exception for the fall and spring 2021 semesters. Students who apply without a test score need to submit essays and fill out the leadership resume as part of their completed application for admission. Currently, consideration for most university scholarships requires an official test score, and we encourage students to provide us their test scores as soon as they are available for complete scholarship consideration.
Test Optional Admission & Comprehensive review
Assured admissionStudents qualify for assured admission if they meet ONE of the following criteria:
*Due to COVID-19, admission to OSU is test optional for the spring and fall 2021 entering classes. Students can indicate if they have been unable to take an ACT or SAT test due to COVID-19 on their application for admission. Students can apply with only a high school transcript and may be considered for admission by exception for the fall and spring 2021 semesters. Students who apply without a test score need to submit essays and fill out the leadership resume as part of their completed application for admission.
Currently, consideration for most university scholarships requires an official test score, and we encourage students to provide us their test scores as soon as they are available for complete scholarship consideration.
** 15-Unit Core Curricular Requirements: 4 units of English (Grammar, Composition and Literature); 3 units of Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and above); 3 units of History and Citizenship Skills (Must include 1 unit of American History and 2 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 school district) and 2 units of other courses selected from any of the sections above or computer science or foreign language.
Home study or Unaccredited High Schools: Due to the impact of COVID-19, students may be considered for admission to OSU without
providing a test score for the fall and spring 2021 semesters but should submit all
available and future test scores. Graduates must satisfy the curricular requirements.
Students who have been denied admission may appeal one time by submitting the Freshman
Admission Decision Appeal Petition. 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.