University of Oregon: A Comprehensive Guide to Admissions

The University of Oregon (UO) attracts students with its diverse academic programs, research opportunities, and vibrant campus life. Understanding the university's admission requirements is the first step toward becoming a Duck. This article provides a detailed overview of the factors considered in the UO admissions process, including academic prerequisites, standardized test policies, and other essential components of a successful application.

Understanding the University of Oregon's Acceptance Rate

The University of Oregon's acceptance rate is a key indicator of the selectivity of the institution. With an acceptance rate of 88.3%, UO is considered lightly selective. This means that while the university is not among the most competitive, applicants still need to meet certain academic standards to gain admission. Meeting the expected GPA and SAT/ACT score requirements significantly increases the likelihood of receiving an offer of admission.

Academic Requirements: GPA and Coursework

GPA Expectations

The GPA is a very important academic factor. The University of Oregon requires applicants to have an above-average GPA, indicating a strong academic performance in high school. Successful applicants typically have a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. While there is no specific GPA cutoff, maintaining a solid GPA is crucial for a competitive application.

Coursework Requirements

To be eligible for admission, prospective freshmen must graduate from a standard or accredited high school. In addition to graduating, applicants must earn a C- or better in 15 college preparatory courses, including:

English/Language Arts-4 years: All four years should be in preparatory composition and literature with emphasis on and frequent practice in writing expository prose.
Mathematics-3 years: Effective through fall 2023 enrollment, coursework must include first-year algebra and two additional years of college-preparatory mathematics, including Algebra II (or equivalent) or higher. An advanced mathematics course is highly recommended in your senior year. One year of either algebra or geometry taken prior to ninth grade are acceptable. Effective for enrollment after fall 2023, students interested in attending a State of Oregon Public Higher Education Institution should take at least three years of high school math. The third year could be satisfied by any math course with a primary focus on concepts in algebra, calculus, data science, discrete mathematics, geometry, mathematical analysis, probability, or statistics. Prospective students are encouraged to take a fourth math course in their senior year. Those intending to study a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major or another field for which calculus is required are strongly encouraged to take pre-calculus and, if possible, calculus in high school.
Science-3 years: Must include a year each in two fields of college-preparatory science such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science. One year of laboratory science is recommended.
Social studies-3 years: Complete three years of social studies from such areas as global studies, history, or social studies electives.
Second language-2 years: The UO offers several options for meeting the second-language requirement.

Meeting these coursework requirements demonstrates to the admissions officials at University of Oregon that applicants have a solid foundation for college-level studies.

Self-Reported Transcript

Applicants must submit their self-reported transcript information through the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) for their application to be reviewed. Prior to enrolling at the UO, students must submit a final official transcript confirming graduation and showing all academic course work. If applicants have completed dual-enrollment or college (post-secondary) courses, they need to provide a copy of their official college or dual-enrollment transcript before enrollment.

Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT

Test-Optional Policy

Effective with applicants for fall 2021 or beyond, submitting scores from the SAT/ACT is now optional for admissions. While the University of Oregon has not explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, because it's published average SAT or ACT scores, it's likely test flexible. Many students will still provide scores, so if you do send them, the university prefers scores to be sent directly from the testing service. They also accept scores reported on official high school transcripts. The school code number for the SAT Reasoning Test is 4846; the code for the ACT is 3498.

SAT Scores

For students who choose to submit SAT scores, the 25th percentile SAT score is 1130, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1360. This range provides a benchmark for applicants to gauge their performance.

University of Oregon also practices "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. University of Oregon will take your highest section score from all your test dates and combine them to form your Superscore, even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Oregon forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1130, it is strongly recommended that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on.

ACT Scores

The average ACT score at University of Oregon is 26. The 25th percentile ACT score is 23, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 30. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 23 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT.

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SAT Essay/ACT Writing Section

University of Oregon considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

Application Essay and Additional Requirements

Application Essay

The University of Oregon requires applicants to submit an application essay. The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals; a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers; or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO's Robert D. Clark Honors College, it is recommended to submit a separate essay for the honors college prompt and the UO admissions application essay prompt to give those reviewing your application as much information about you as possible.

Optional Second Essay

As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of the two options below will guide you in sharing those thoughts. Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required. What have you learned from a social justice issue that inspires you, and how will you apply those lessons to drive change? The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values, and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?

Additional Factors

Admission decisions rely not only on GPA and SAT/ACT scores but also on coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.

Application Deadlines and Important Dates

Application Deadline

The application deadline at University of Oregon is Jan. 15. Apply by November 1 for Early Action to receive your admission decision by late December.

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Other Deadlines

If you're interested in the Honors College, the deadline is November 1st for early decision and January 15th for regular decision. There are merit scholarships available as well, many with early deadlines and separate applications. View a full list here.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

More than 65 percent of UO students receive financial aid. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) (for undocumented students ineligible for FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1. There is $268 million in aid awarded every year, and 82 percent of Oregon freshmen receive financial aid, and the UO confers $268 million annually in the form of grants, loans, work-study, and some scholarships. The Oregon Guarantee provides fixed tuition for five years.

Special Admissions Considerations

Alternative Admission

If you do not meet one or more of the standard admission requirements, review the options for alternative admission, including information for students from nonaccredited high schools.

International Students

Students who completed a significant amount of their education in a country outside the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, English-speaking Canada, or New Zealand may be asked to submit English proficiency test scores.

Transfer Students

For those who have already taken some college coursework after graduating high school or earning a GED. Apply here to continue your journey towards earning your degree at the University of Oregon.

Other Applicants

Our admissions process reflects our commitment to a diverse academic community.

Degree Requirements

The bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of education, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of landscape architecture, bachelor of music, and bachelor of music in music education degrees require a total of 180 credits with passing grades. All bachelor’s degrees must be awarded with a major. Minimum requirements are 36 credits in the major, including 24 in upper-division work. Students who have not declared a major by the end of the fourth week of the sixth term of enrollment will need to see an advisor and receive a personal identification number (PIN) before they can register for the next term’s classes. Transfer students who have not declared a major by the end of the fourth week of the third term of enrollment at the UO will need to see an advisor and receive a PIN before they can register for the next term’s classes. Unless specified by a particular department, a minor is not required for a bachelor’s degree. Students choosing to complete a minor must earn a minimum of 24 credits, including 12 in upper-division work. Minor requirements, including residency, are listed under department headings. Students must earn 168 transfer or University of Oregon credits with grades of A, B, C, D, or P*. A minimum of 45 credits graded A, B, C, or D must be earned at the University of Oregon. or equivalents) passed with grades of C- or better or P are required for all undergraduate degrees. Students must choose to graduate with a specific degree and major (for example, bachelor of arts with a major in chemistry or bachelor of science with a major in chemistry). The bachelor of arts (BA) degree requires proficiency in a second language. Students may fulfill the UO second-language requirement by taking the all three courses in the year-long sequence in Old English (ENG 428, ENG 429, ENG 430) and by achieving a B- or higher in ENG 430. The bachelor of science (BS) degree requires proficiency in mathematics or computer science or a combination of the two. The requirement may be satisfied in one of the following ways, depending on the student’s experience in mathematics. Students with a limited background in mathematics can complete the requirement with any of the combinations of three courses listed below. To promote educational breadth, bachelor’s degree candidates are required to complete work in each of three areas representing comprehensive fields of knowledge: arts and letters, social science, and science. The current list of area-satisfying courses are listed in the Core Education Courses section of this catalog. Bachelor of Arts or Science. Students must complete a minimum of 4 approved area-satisfying courses of at least 3 credits in each of three Areas of Inquiry: arts and letters, social science, and science. Each area must include coursework in at least two different subject codes. No more than three courses with the same subject code may be used to fulfill the requirement. Bachelor of Architecture, Education, Fine Arts, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Music, or Music in Music Education. Students must complete a minimum 3 area-satisfying courses of at least 3 credits each in each of three Areas of Inquiry: arts and letters, social science, and science. Each area must include coursework in at least two different subject codes. No more than three courses with the same subject code may be used to fulfill the requirement. These courses develop students’ analytical and reflective capacities to help them understand and ethically engage with the ongoing (cultural, economic, political, social, etc.) power imbalances that have shaped and continue to shape the United States. These courses foster a student's encounter with and critical reflection upon cultures, identities, and ways of being in global contexts beyond the United States. Students will consider substantial scholarship, cultural production, perspectives, and voices from members of communities under study, as sources permit. Study-abroad programs that are ten weeks or longer automatically satisfy this requirement. Programs between five and nine weeks in duration may qualify if specific criteria are met. A total maximum of 124 credits may be transferred from domestic, regionally accredited junior or community colleges and from international junior or technical colleges.

Campus Visit

We encourage you to visit our campus to experience what makes this place so special. Explore our Academic Residential Communities and learn how they can support your adjustment to college life, no matter what major you are considering. Step into the Pacific Northwest at UO, where campus meets rivers, trails, and towering evergreens. See Eugene’s natural playground and discover why our setting sparks exploration and bold ideas. There’s something special about this place. We’re at the heart of rivers and mountains and wild coastline, in a vibrant town that’s not too big, not too small. Our campus is a literal arboretum, lush and green, and it buzzes with excitement and energy. We like to think it’s pretty perfect.

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