- How will my application to the UO be considered?
- Do you accept the Common Application?
- When will I receive news about my admission to the UO?
- Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?
- What’s the difference between the application personal statement/essay and a special circumstances statement?
- Is an interview or campus visit necessary?
- What if I do not meet the UO's admission requirements?
- What about standardized tests?
- Does the UO give college credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores?
- If I was homeschooled, attended an unaccredited high school, or earned a GED, how can I gain admission to the UO?
- Can I defer admission or take a gap year?
- How do I register for on-campus housing?
- Is the November 1 Early Action deadline binding?
- Are scholarships available from the UO?
- When do I register for my first classes?
- What is tuition equity? How do I become eligible?
- How much does it rain in Eugene?
How will my application to the UO be considered?
To be considered for admission to the UO, you must meet our standard admission requirements. Your application will undergo our comprehensive admission process. If you do not meet the standard admission requirements, explore the options for alternative admission.
Do you accept the Common Application?
The UO accepts the Common Application for freshman admission only. You can still use the UO application, but if you're applying to at least one other Common Application school, using the Common Application has the potential to cut down the time you spend filling out applications. Spend that extra free time exploring our digital viewbook.
When will I receive news about my admission to the UO?
Apply by the November 1 Early Action (or early notification) deadline, and you’ll hear from us by December 15. Apply before the regular January 15 deadline, and you’ll receive our decision by April 1. No matter when you apply, you will have until May 1 to make your decision.
Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?
No, but we will review any that you submit. If your GPA is 3.00 or below, letters of recommendation are advised.
The admissions personal statement/essay is required. A special circumstances statement is not required, but may be submitted to explain any obstacles in your life that hindered your academic performance in high school.
Is an interview or campus visit necessary?
Visiting campus is not necessary, but it's one of the best ways to determine if the UO is the right fit for you. Choose to visit the UO on a student-led tour or explore on your own with our self-guided app. We also have options for virtual visits.
We don’t conduct formal interviews in the Office of Admissions, but you are welcome to meet with an admissions counselor for specific questions or issues that you prefer to address one-on-one. We are currently scheduling virtual appointments via Zoom through our Virtual Visits website.What if I do not meet the UO's admission requirements?
First, explore the options for alternative admission. Even if you don’t meet the admission requirements, we encourage you to apply and to include a personal statement explaining any circumstances that hindered your academic performance.
What about standardized tests?
Starting with applicants for fall 2021, the UO is now test-optional for most applicants. If you do take the tests, though, note that SAT or ACT tests are considered equally—neither is preferred over the other. Also, we do not require essay scores from either test, and will not use them, nor SAT Subject Test results, even if you submit them.
Does the UO give college credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores?
Yes, the UO grants college credit for AP and IB exam scores that meet the university's requirements. You must obtain an official score report from the AP or IB administrators and have it sent directly to the UO. SPECIAL NOTE: We are aware of the disruptions to both of these tests in regard to COVID-19 and school/testing closures. We will update this page in relation to these tests as often as possible.
Read the requirements for homeschooled applicants. Read the requirements for students from nonaccredited high schools. Read the requirements for applicants with a GED degree.
Can I defer admission, or take a gap year?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. If you have been admitted for a specific term but wish to postpone when you begin college, the University of Oregon is now considering deferral requests for students offered freshman admission. To request a deferral of up to one academic year, visit our gap year webpage and follow the steps listed there. The deferral option is not appropriate for students who plan to start college elsewhere then transfer to Oregon, or for freshmen admitted from our waitlist. Don't know much about gap years in general? Read this helpful information from NACAC.
How do I register for on-campus housing?
Beginning in December, as soon as you are admitted to the UO, you can fill out your housing registration. The earlier you sign up for housing, the more choices you will have when selecting your room. All first-year students at the UO live on campus. More information is available from University Housing.
- Is the November 1 Early Action deadline binding?
No. Early Action (EA) is not binding. It simply means that if you apply by November 1 for admission, you will receive a response from the Office of Admissions by December 15. You still have until May 1 to make your decision. Schools that have binding commitments tied to applications should refer to it as Early Decision (ED). We do not have an ED program at Oregon because we want you to have the full time available to you to reach your decision. Are scholarships available from the UO?
Yes. Eligible incoming freshmen are automatically considered for many scholarships including UO Excellence, Summit, Apex, General University Scholarships, and PathwayOregon. Financial need may be a factor. To ensure consideration for all available UO scholarships, you are encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) [for Dreamer students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as well as other undocumented students who are ineligible to submit a FAFSA] by the UO’s priority filing deadline, March 1. Be sure to list the UO as a recipient (school code 003223).
The following scholarships require a separate application: Presidential, Stamps, and Diversity Excellence.
More scholarship information, including specific criteria and award amounts, is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.When do I register for my first classes?
During orientation you’ll learn about degree requirements, meet with your advisor, and register for classes. For students entering in the fall, there are orientation sessions in July and August called IntroDUCKtion. You’ll receive information on Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) and class registration toward the end of your senior year. Students admitted for winter, spring, or summer terms sign up for Mid-Year IntroDUCKtion.
What is tuition equity? How do I become eligible?
The tuition equity law provides that undocumented students who meet certain criteria are exempt from nonresident tuition and fees. Read more.
How much does it rain in Eugene?
Normal annual rainfall is 46 inches, which is about the same as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York (not combined!). In Eugene, the rain is concentrated between the months of October and April. Eugenians are accustomed to the rain, and it’s common to see people riding bikes and running outside throughout the year. Eugene's climate, with an average temperature of 53 degrees, is one of the city's attractive features. Mild winters, long growing seasons, sunny and dry summers, and few drastic weather changes are characteristic.