Been seriously considering OSU for my future, but I'm a little fuzzy on what they require for acceptance. Apart from the transcripts and the usual stuff, are there specific courses or grade requirements they're looking for? Hoping some of you veterans can help me out!
Oregon State University (OSU) has a fairly comprehensive list of requirements for high school coursework, aimed at ensuring incoming students are adequately prepared for university-level study.
To start, they require 15 units (a unit is equal to one year in high school) of college preparatory subjects as follows:
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of Mathematics (minimum Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)
- 3 units of Science (at least one unit each in two fields of science such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
- 3 units of Social Studies
- 2 units of a second language (seems to require that this be the same language)
In terms of academic performance, OSU generally expects you to have a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, though they do practice holistic admissions and consider more than just numbers.
Also remember that admission to specific programs at OSU might have additional requirements. If you're interested in a specific major, it's always a good idea to check with that department to make sure there's no additional criteria you need to meet.
Lastly, OSU requires either the SAT or ACT as part of the application process. As to what scores you should aim for, you can get a clearer idea by researching the score ranges of previously admitted students. It's always a good idea to score within or above that range to increase your chances of admission.
Keep in mind that these are only the baseline requirements for admission. Other factors that could strengthen your application include your involvement in meaningful extracurricular activities, well-written essays, and strong letters of recommendation. And remember, the more you can show OSU that you’re a dedicated student passionate about your intended field of study, the better of a chance you’ll have in gaining admission.
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