Graduates of non-standard or unaccredited high schools, or home-schooled students will be considered for admission based on a holistic assessment using the following:

Test scores

OSU is test-optional.  Home-schooled students may elect to provide test scores (SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT, etc.) for us to evaluate as part of their file, particularly if they do not have other items listed below.

Note: Only scores sent electronically from College Board (SAT) and/or ACT will be considered official.  There is not an advantage to pay extra for "rush" scores from the testing agency, and in some cases may add to the time it will take to process the scores within our office.

  • The SAT college code for Oregon State University is 4586.
  • The ACT college code for Oregon State University is 3482.

College credit and grades

Students graduating from non-accredited high schools and home-schooled students can improve their chances of admission by taking college-credit while in their high school years and providing these transcripts to OSU when they apply.  Your performance in college work, even if just a few credits, helps us to better understand your chances for success at OSU.

Essay and Personal Statement responses on the application

OSU seeks to look beyond grades and test scores to determine if applicants bring the necessary skills and abilities to be successful here.  Your answers to our application essay prompts, which is part of the OSU application for admission, provides us with:

  • Understanding of you as a unique, contributing individual.
  • Your accomplishments, perspectives, experiences, and talents.
  • Your achievements within the context of your social and personal circumstances.
  • Participation in activities that develop academic, intellectual, and leadership abilities.

Additional Factors

  • Oregon State is also looking for students who will lend educational and cultural diversity to our campus.  We are looking for students who go above and beyond the minimum whether in talent, academic ability or potential.  Combined with academic strengths, evidence of these characteristics may be considered in our review of applicants for admission.
  • Applicants who are ineligible to re-enroll at any college or university that they attended within the last seven years for student conduct reasons will be automatically declined admission at OSU.  Applicants who are unable to re-enroll at a previous college or university for academic reasons will be considered for admission only if they meet OSU’s minimum academic requirements.

Please note that academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to the university. The university may evaluate a person's behavior and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university. An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions.

GED Students

GED students will be considered for admission if they achieve an average GED score of at least:

  • 58, if taken prior to January 2002, with no subtest score less than 41
  • 580, if taken between January 2002 and December 2013, with no subtest score less than 410
  • 680 (total from 4 subject tests), if taken in January 2014 or later, with no subtest score less than 150

Non-cognitive skills and abilities demonstrated via a GED applicant’s essay and personal statement (see above) are also considered in making admission decisions.

Applicants admitted on the basis of GED scores are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, but scores may be considered if available.

GED students, graduates of non-standard or unaccredited high schools, and home-schooled students who earn their diploma/GED in the 1996-97 school year and later must meet the foreign language admissions requirement. Foreign language taken at an unaccredited high school does not qualify. Additional ways to meet OSU's foreign language requirement.