Deadlines
On August 1 every year, applications open to the ´óÏóÊÓƵ and Clark Honors College for a fall term start the following year.
| Ìý | Admission Application | Transcripts or STARS |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | November 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | February 15 |
What Is Early Action? Early Action is a non-binding application plan where you will receive a decision on January 5. You also gain priority access to spring events and experiences ahead of applicants who apply later.
What is Regular Decision? Regular Decision applicants have equal consideration for admissions as Early Action and receive a decision no later than April 1.
Other Deadlines
- Some departments and majors have separate deadlines. See Departmental Requirements.
- Winter, spring, and summer terms have different deadlines. See Mid-Year Deadlines.
- Be aware of other important dates throughout the year. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Application Requirements
Find out what the ´óÏóÊÓƵ is looking for in your academic record and how to satisfy our application requirements. Note that the ´óÏóÊÓƵ is a test-optional school for SAT/ACT.
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ defines a first-year applicant as a student who has not attempted any college coursework after high school graduation or after earning a GED. You are still a first-year if you completed college-level coursework while enrolled in high school, such as AP, IB, AICE, dual enrollment, or college-in-the-high-school courses.
To apply as a first-year, your proof of graduation must come from a valid, regionally accredited high school. See regional accreditors.
English/Language Arts | 4 years
All four years should be in preparatory composition and literature with an emphasis on and frequent practice in writing expository prose.
Mathematics | 3 years
Take at least three years of high school math. The third year could be satisfied by any math course with a primary focus on concepts in algebra, calculus, data science, discrete mathematics, geometry, mathematical analysis, probability, or statistics.
We encourage you to take a fourth math course in your senior year of high school.
If you intend to study a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major or another field for which calculus is required, seriously consider taking pre-calculus and, if possible, calculus in high school.
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
Complete 2 years of study of the same world language.
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ offers several options. See second language requirement.
Don’t meet the requirements? You can still apply. See Additional Applicant Types.
These requirements apply to most ´óÏóÊÓƵ first-year applicants. You’ll find additional requirements for students applying for certain majors.
- International students: For additional requirements, see International Students.
- GED students, Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate students, see Additional Applicant Types.
Holistic Review
The strongest applications tell a complete story about who you are, both inside and outside the classroom. Admission and scholarship decisions are based on ´óÏóÊÓƵ’s holistic review that considers the full scope of your achievements, experiences, and potential. As we review your application, we’ll look at factors including:
- The rigor of your coursework and academic preparation
- Your grades and academic progress over time
- Leadership, activities, employment, service, and other involvement
- Your personal statement and the experiences that have shaped you
- Optional letters of recommendation
- Optional test scores
Take advantage of every opportunity to showcase your accomplishments, ambitions, and perspective.
´óÏóÊÓƵ Application
You can use the or the to apply as a first-year. Your choice makes no difference to our review.
This is your academic record of all coursework that you’ve completed in high school. We’ll use this information to review your application and consider you for scholarships. We cannot review your application until you have provided your self-reported transcript. See more about self-reported records: Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)
If you use the Common Application, you may enter the required information in the Courses and Grades section.
If you use the Oregon Application, you’ll receive a link to a STARS login to provide your information after submitting your application.
If you choose to use STARS, you may use the EasyImport tool to upload a transcript and an AI tool will populate the self-reported record. Be sure to double-check for accuracy before submitting an AI-generated STAR.
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ has a test-optional policy, but many students still provide SAT/ACT scores. Wondering whether to submit your scores? See our Test Optional FAQs
If you decide to submit test scores, have them sent directly from the testing service if possible. We also accept scores reported on official high school transcripts.
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ’s school code number for the SAT Reasoning Test is 4846; ´óÏóÊÓƵ’s code for the ACT is 3498.
You’ll be asked about your career interests and what you want to major in. We welcome students who are still exploring their academic interests, and we have great advisors to help you choose a path when at the ´óÏóÊÓƵ.
Your application includes an essay that helps us learn more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less in which you share information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas:
Your future ambitions and goals
A special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers
A significant experience that influenced your life
If you are applying to the ´óÏóÊÓƵ's .
Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.
What have you learned from a social justice issue that inspires you, and how will you apply these lessons to drive change?
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values, and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?
Supporting Documents
Upload or postmark any supporting documents by November 15 (Nov 1 application deadline) for Early Action and February 15 (Jan 15 application deadline) for Regular Decision, including:
- Your optional test scores. If you choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, we prefer you have them sent directly from the College Board. We consider SAT and ACT scores equally and do not review essay scores or SAT subject test results.
- Any letters of recommendation. These are not required, but can help your application if your GPA is 3.2 or below.
- Any special circumstance statement. You can submit a special circumstance statement to explain any obstacles in your life that may have affected your academic performance in high school.
Departmental Requirements
Some majors and programs have different deadlines and additional requirements and processes. When you apply to one of the programs below, the department will review your application separately from the Office of Admissions’ overall application review and will give you their own admissions decision. If you are offered admission to the ´óÏóÊÓƵ, but not to the program you applied to, your major will be changed to "exploring" (undeclared).
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Find more answers about applying as a first-year student.
To be considered for admission to the ´óÏóÊÓƵ, you must meet our standard admission requirements. Your application will undergo our comprehensive admission process. If you do not meet the standard admission requirements, explore the options for alternative admission.
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ accepts the Common Application for freshman admission only. You can still use the ´óÏóÊÓƵ application, but if you're applying to at least one other Common Application school, using the Common Application has the potential to reduce the time you spend filling out applications.
Apply by the November 1 Early Action (or early notification) deadline, and you will receive a decision—Accepted, Denied, or Deferred to Regular Decision—on January 5. Apply by the regular January 15 deadline, and you’ll receive a decision by April 1. No matter when you apply, you will have until May 1 to make your decision.
No, but we will review any that you submit. If your GPA is 3.2 or below, letters of recommendation are advised.
The admissions personal statement/essay is required. A special circumstances statement is not required, but may be submitted to explain any obstacles in your life that hindered your academic performance in high school.
Choosing a college is about finding a place where you can thrive academically and feel a genuine sense of belonging. While visiting campus isn’t required, a campus visit brings that experience to life and helps you connect with your future community and imagine your life at the ´óÏóÊÓƵ. Come for a full day visit, register for a student-led tour or explore on your own with our self-guided app.
We don’t conduct formal interviews in the Office of Admissions, but you are welcome to meet with an admissions counselor for specific questions or issues that you prefer to address one-on-one.
First, explore the options for additional admission types. When applying, we encourage you to include a personal statement explaining any circumstances that hindered your academic performance.
The ´óÏóÊÓƵ application process is test-optional. If you do take the tests, we welcome their submission. Note that SAT or ACT tests are considered equally—neither is preferred over the other. Also, we do not require essay scores from either test, and will not use them or SAT Subject Test results, even if you submit them.
Yes, the ´óÏóÊÓƵ grants college credit for AP and IB exam scores that meet the applicants. Read the requirements for students from nonaccredited high schools. Read the requirements for applicants with a GED degree.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. If you have been admitted for a specific term but wish to postpone when you begin college, the ´óÏóÊÓƵ considers deferral requests for students offered freshman admission. To request a deferral of up to one academic year, visit our Defer or Take a Gap Year page and follow the steps listed there. The deferral option is not appropriate for students who plan to start college elsewhere and then transfer to Oregon, or for freshmen admitted from our waitlist. Don't know much about gap years in general? Read this , , and .
No. Early Action (EA) is not binding. It simply means that if you apply by November 1 for admission, you will receive a response from the Office of Admissions on January 5. You still have until May 1 to make your decision. Schools that have binding commitments tied to applications are typically referred to as Early Decision (ED). We do not have an ED program at Oregon because we want you to have the full time available to you to reach your decision.
Yes. Eligible incoming freshmen are automatically considered for many scholarships. However, many other scholarships have separate applications and we encourage you to visit the by the March 1 Priority Consideration Deadline. ´óÏóÊÓƵ’s school code is 003223.
Dreamer students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as well as other undocumented students who are ineligible to submit a FAFSA by the ´óÏóÊÓƵ’s priority filing deadline, March 1 should apply for and class registration toward the end of your senior year. Students admitted for Winter, Spring, or Summer terms sign up for provides that undocumented students who meet certain criteria are exempt from nonresident tuition and fees. Find out more about tuition equity.
Normal annual rainfall is 46 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 never let a little rain get in the way of enjoying the beautiful campus and fun! 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, sunny and dry summers, and few drastic weather changes are characteristic.
´óÏóÊÓƵ only accepts transcripts from regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed system of self-regulation used in the United States to evaluate schools, colleges, and universities against established standards. Several accrediting bodies oversee this process, each primarily serving one of six geographic regions. These organizations conduct accreditation reviews and maintain the accreditation status of most public and nonprofit private institutions in their regions.
Regionally accredited schools are generally nonprofit and academically focused. Nationally accredited schools are more often for-profit institutions offering vocational, career, or technical programs.
List of Regional Accreditors
The following are the regional accrediting organizations for primary and secondary schools in the United States
. : Accrediting educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). .
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