Ohio State’s Admission Process

Ohio State has a competitive admission process in which students are considered for admission based largely on their academic performance and credentials. Secondary factors include school and out-of-school activities. All students are considered under competitive standards except Ohio residents applying to an Ohio State regional campus in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, or Newark or to Ohio State ATI in Wooster.

Three primary factors are considered in our competitive admission review process:

1. Successful completion of the college preparatory curriculum while in high school. The minimum college prep requirements are listed below. Numbers in ( ) represent the recommended number of units for strong preparation.

4 units of college prep English
(4) 3 units of college prep math
(3) 2 units each of college prep science, social science, and the same foreign language
1 unit of a visual or performing art
1 additional unit of the above courses

2. Performance in high school as shown by class rank or grade point average

3. Performance on the ACT or SAT Applicants may be given additional consideration if:

• you attend a competitive high school
• you have taken accelerated courses (e.g., Honors, AP, IB)
• you are a first-generation college student
• you provide cultural, economic, racial, or geographic diversity
• you possess particular outstanding talents
• you have been involved in extracurricular activities, significant work experience, or leadership positions
• your high school performance was adversely affected by physical, mental, or learning environment factors
• you are eligible for and will benefit from organized support services at Ohio State

• Within two weeks, applicants will receive acknowledgment that their application form was received.
  
• Within four weeks, applicants will be notified of any missing application items (transcripts, application fee, etc.)
  
• Within ten to twelve weeks (approximately), applicants will receive notice of one of the following decisions:

Admit – Congratulations! You have been admitted to Ohio State. A notice about enrollment requirements and information about specific college enrollment are on the way.

Defer – You have not been admitted after our first review. We will review your application again after the application deadline and notify you of the final decision by no later than March 31. You may be asked to provide additional information to allow us to make a well-informed decision. The number of deferred students who are admitted will depend on several factors; we will consider the additional information provided upon request from our office, the competitiveness of the application pool, and the number of spaces available.

Options for Ohio Residents – At this time, you do not meet admission requirements for the Columbus campus. As an Ohio resident, your options include regional campus enrollment and enrollment as a transfer student from another college or university.

Denial for Nonresidents – At this time, you do not meet our admission requirements. You may wish to improve your academic profile at another college or university and apply to enroll as a transfer student.

Student Profile: Class of 2007     

• 91% of our admitted students ranked in the top quarter of their graduating classes
  
• 57% of our admitted students ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes
  
• ACT composite score range, middle 50 percent: 25-30 (national average is 21)
  
• SAT score range (Critical Reading and Math only), middle 50 percent: 1150-1330 (national average is 1021) 
• 97% of admitted applicants exceeded minimum college preparatory requirements in math and natural science; 90% exceeded minimums in a foreign language
  

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