Hey there, I'm getting ready to apply to University of Oregon and I'm trying to gather as much information as I can. Can anyone provide some advice or personal experiences with their application process? Anything that might boost my chances?
The University of Oregon strives to admit students who demonstrate academic achievement along with strong personal characteristics. Their review process, like at many schools, is holistic, which they consider more than just academics. So while GPA and test scores are important, they're not everything.
When it comes to academics, the University of Oregon wants to see a GPA around 3.8 and an SAT score in the range of 1150-1340, or an ACT score between 22-30. They are particularly interested in seeing a strong performance in core classes like English, mathematics, social studies, science, and foreign language.
Test scores are officially optional, but there can be instances where submitting one is a good idea. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/
On the non-academic front, your activities outside the classroom play a role as well. Think carefully about how to present your extracurriculars as they are your opportunity to show the admissions committee your passions and commitment. Leadership roles or deep involvement in few activities would generally stand out more than light involvement in many.
Keep the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars in mind as you shortlist the activities to highlight in your application - you can learn more about extracurricular tiers, and how to categorize your own involvements, on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities
Additionally, the University of Oregon values diversity and unique perspectives, so even though their school-specific supplemental essay(s) are usually optional, they give you a chance to show what makes you stand out from even other applicants with strong academic credentials. CollegeVine's blog also has guidance on how to tackle their current prompt(s): https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-oregon-essays
Lastly, if you're applying to any specific programs within the university, ensure you meet any additional requirements they might have. For instance, the Clark Honors College and certain majors like Architecture or Music might have specific application criteria, such as a artist's portfolio.
Good luck with your application! Applying to college can be a stressful process, but taking it one step at a time can make it manageable.
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