Admissions news |
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For high school counselors | | |
Don't miss below: |
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Engineering now directly enrolls all majors
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Nursing has changed enrollment criteria
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Our top opportunities for talented students
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1. Key dates and deadlines for 2026-2027 |
Application completion deadlines
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Date |
Deadline |
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November 1 |
Early action deadline. Meet this deadline for consideration for:
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Merit scholarships
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Honors and Scholars Programs
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Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program
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Morrill Scholarship Program
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Competitive majors like engineering and nursing
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November 9 |
Stamps Eminence application deadline (separate application) |
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January 15 |
Regular decision deadline |
Decision notification dates
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Date |
Decision Notification |
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December 11 |
Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants |
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January 22 |
Domestic non-residents and international applicants |
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March 5 |
All regular decision and early action deferred applicants |
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More information about application timelines and next steps is available on our admissions website.
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2. Testing reminders |
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Ohio State requires ACT or SAT scores for new first-year applicants to the Columbus campus.
Key testing deadlines
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October 3: Last SAT test date eligible for early action
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October 16: Deadline to send previously earned scores
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October 17: Last ACT test date eligible for early action
Testing policies
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Scores must come directly from the testing agency
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The ACT science score is not required
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Ohio State superscores
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3. Join us for an upcoming virtual opportunity |
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If you're unable to attend an in-person counselor event this fall, here's your chance to get admissions updates from Ohio State. We'd love to see you!
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Event |
Date & Time |
Registration |
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Big Ten Academic Alliance Virtual Counselor Program |
Monday, September 28, 2026
1 to 2:30 p.m. ET |
Register online |
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Out of State Counselors Admissions Webinar |
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
1 to 2:30 p.m. ET |
Register online | | | |
4. Opportunities for talented students |
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Students should apply by November 1 for these outstanding academic opportunities.
University Honors
Who is it for: Students seeking advanced academic opportunities.
How to apply: Indicate interest on the Common Application.
Learn more.
Ohio State Scholars Program
Who is it for: Students interested in one of 16 themed Scholars communities.
How to apply: Indicate interest on the Common Application.
Learn more.
Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program
Who is it for: A select group of Honors and Scholar students.
How to apply: Indicate interest in Honors or Scholars on the Common Application, and complete the separate Stamps Eminence application by November 9.
Learn more. | | |
5. More opportunities for talented students: the Morrill Scholarship Program |
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The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) is Ohio State's premier merit scholarship program recognizing students who demonstrate scholarship, leadership, service and civic engagement.
Students are encouraged to apply by the November 1 early action deadline, but MSP applications will be accepted through January 15, Ohio State's regular decision deadline.
As part of the Common Application, students must respond to the following essay prompt:
The Morrill Scholarship Program encourages students to lead with character while making a positive impact on their communities. In what ways have your life experiences and/or endeavors prepared you to be an active Morrill Scholar who will champion scholarship, leadership, and civic engagement while investing in Ohio State’s culture of service reflective of its land grant mission? Please answer fully, and when possible, provide specific examples.
Questions about the application process may be directed to morrillscholars@osu.edu. | | |
6. New majors, and new enrollment criteria for engineering and nursing |
New undergraduate majors:
Engineering now offers direct admission to all majors
Beginning this year, all engineering majors will enroll students directly into their major. Three programs may have enrollment limits and may place students into an alternative pathway if capacity is reached:
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Aerospace Engineering
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Biomedical Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
Additional note: Students can no longer apply directly to an Engineering Pathway.
New College of Nursing enrollment criteria
Selective direct enrollment criteria for first-year students:
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Admitted students who have an ACT composite score of 25 or higher or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math score of 1200 or higher AND who rank in the top 10% of their high school class are enrolled as pre-nursing majors.
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Students not offered pre-nursing will begin in Health and Human Services Exploration.
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Students admitted into pre-nursing who have at least a 26 ACT Math (610 SAT Math) will be automatically considered for direct admission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) major.
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Applicants must meet Ohio State's early action deadline and be 18 years of age by Oct.1 of the autumn semester of their first clinical course.
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Because space is limited, not all qualified students can be offered direct admission.
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Counselor portal and file uploader |
Our counselor portal helps you navigate the Ohio State admissions process with your students. Need access? Submit your request. Please allow two to three business days for processing.
The portal also includes a file uploader for transcripts and supporting documents. Access the "Upload student documents link" from the Student Reports tab.
If a document cannot be submitted through the Common Application, Admissions Uploader or another standard source, email it from a school email address to:Please submit documents only once. Sending materials through multiple channels can create processing delays. |
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Your admissions counselor is here for you! |
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Reach out to your admissions counselor to discuss opportunities for supporting you and your students, including college planning panels, case study programs and essay writing workshops. | | |
A note from our interim assistant vice provost |
As we begin the 2026-2027 admissions cycle, thank you for the guidance and support you provide to students and families throughout the college search process. Your partnership plays an important role in helping students explore opportunities and prepare strong applications.
As you work with seniors this fall, we encourage students to apply by the November 1 early action deadline to maximize consideration for scholarships, Honors and Scholars opportunities and much more. We also appreciate your help in reminding students to submit required materials, including test scores and transcripts, as early as possible.
We look forward to working with you throughout the year and thank you for all you do to support future Buckeyes.
Robyn Morton
Interim Assistant Vice Provost, Undergraduate Admissions |
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Bonus updates from our academic colleges |
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental SciencesThe College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) offers pathways for students interested in:
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Animals, insects and plants
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Environment and natural resources
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Food science, engineering and technology
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Business, advocacy and communication
Students can explore majors on the Columbus campus. Visit opportunities, including the Seeds to Success with CFAES program on October 5, are available on the CFAES website.
For questions, contact Jill Hampshire, Director of Recruitment and Enrollment, at hampshire.576@osu.edu or 614-292-8124.
University ExplorationUniversity Exploration (EXP) helps students who are undecided about a major make informed academic and career decisions while staying on track for graduation.
Key reminders:
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Students can select "Undecided/Exploring/University Exploration" on the Common Application
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Ohio State admits students without considering intended major, so applying as undecided does not reduce admission chances
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EXP students can pursue nearly all Ohio State majors and frequently graduate on time
Students interested in the following programs should apply directly by the early action deadline:
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Aerospace Engineering
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Biomedical Engineering
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Computer Science and Engineering
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Computer and Information Science
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Mechanical Engineering
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Nursing
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Design
Questions may be directed to Nicole Vangas, EXP Advising Manager, at vangas.2@osu.edu.
College of Education and Human EcologyRecently renovated Campbell Hall offers collaborative study spaces and specialized learning environments designed to enhance student success.
Highlighted facilities include:
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Instructional Kitchen for Hospitality Management
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Biomolecular Nutrition Research Labs
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Innovation Lab with advanced technology
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Collaborative spaces supporting students across majors, including Fashion and Retail Studies
Students interested in the College of Education and Human Ecology are encouraged to visit campus and explore these new spaces. Visit information is available through the college's undergraduate admissions website.
Salmon P. Chase CenterThe Salmon P. Chase Center's Bachelor of Arts in Civics, Law, and Leadership prepares students to examine American civic life, law and leadership through an interdisciplinary approach.
Students develop skills in:
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Critical thinking
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Civic engagement
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Communication
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Problem solving
The program also offers information about renewable merit-based scholarship opportunities through its website.
Fisher College of BusinessFisher College of Business offers resources for counselors, students and families exploring business education at Ohio State.
Counselors are encouraged to review Fisher's High School Resources page and learn more about opportunities for:
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Admitted student visits
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Business class visits
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Student organization programs
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Admissions and academic exploration
Questions about visits, admissions or academic opportunities can be directed to the Fisher Admissions and Recruitment team at fcob-fishervisit@osu.edu.
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The Ohio State University |
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