I'm a high school junior considering applying to the University of Oregon. I'm having trouble finding specific application requirements. Can anyone help me understand what the average GPA and test scores they're looking for are? Also, are there any particular courses or extracurricular activities they value more? Thanks for the help!
Sure! When applying to the University of Oregon, it's important to understand their general admission requirements and statistics. They practice holistic admissions, which means your entire application— including your GPA, test scores, courses taken, and extracurricular activities—will be taken into account when they evaluate your application.
Regarding average GPA and test scores, the middle 50% GPA range for admitted students at the University of Oregon is typically around 3.4 to 4.0 (on a 4.0 scale). This means that 50% of admitted students have a GPA within this range. Although UO is currently test-optional, for reference, the SAT middle 50% range for admitted students is around 1140-1370, and the ACT middle 50% range is around 24-30.
In terms of coursework, the University of Oregon requires four years of language arts, three years of math, three years of social studies, and three years of science (ideally including two different lab sciences). However, it's helpful to take additional courses in these core subject areas and explore advanced courses like honors, AP, or IB classes if they are available at your school. This demonstrates your willingness to challenge yourself academically.
There aren't any particular extracurricular activities that the University of Oregon values more than others. Instead, focus on activities that are meaningful to you and demonstrate your passion, commitment, and leadership. If possible, try to develop a "spike" or specialty in a specific area rather than being a jack-of-all-trades.
When crafting your application, make sure to highlight your strengths and showcase how you'll contribute to the campus community. While meeting or exceeding the average GPA and test scores increases your competitiveness, remember that your essays, extracurricular involvement, and overall profile also play significant roles in the admissions process. Best of luck!
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