First Year Freshman

First-Year/Freshman Undergraduate Degree Programs

If you're looking for a classic American university, you've found it in OSU! Every undergraduate first-year (freshman) international student at OSU begins their journey with the OSU first-year experience of their academic major and degree program. At the same time, students have the peace of mind knowing that they have OSU's international expertise at their fingertips with additional support and services designed for international students through International Direct.

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Academic Requirements

3.0 GPA High school diploma or IB Diploma with minimum overall score of 26 or IGCSE 5 subjects with a 3.0 average using NCAA scale (9-7/A=4, 5-6/B/C=3, 4/D/E=2, F/G=1, 3-1/U=0). Subjects must include Math, English, Science, 2 electives.

Language Requirements
  • 70 iBT TOEFL
  • 6.0 IELTS
  • Level 5 Academic English completion
  • 48 PTEA
  • 100 Duolingo
Additional Information on English Language Requirements: 

English Test Scores must be less than two years old as of the start term requested. Applicants may also use the following achievements to meet the English Requirements for admission to an undergraduate degree program. 

  • SAT: evidence-based reading/writing score of 560
  • ACTE (ACT English) - 21
  • Two English composition courses (Writing 121+) with grades C- or better or one English composition and one Speech Communication course (Communication 111+) with grades C- or better, all from a US university.
  • IGCSE O or A Level English with a grade of C or better (provisional results not accepted)
  • IB Diploma: Language A - Language and Literature (HL) with a minimum score of 5
  • AP English L & C - minimum score of 3

Undergraduate Pathway Programs

A combination of intensive English and academic courses, Pathway Programs offer students a clear path to the university. After successfully completing the program, students become degree-seeking students. The academic and English language requirements are lower to enter a Pathway program, giving students an opportunity to enter OSU.

Academic Requirements

2.5 GPA High school diploma or IB Diploma with minimum overall score of 24 or IGCSE 5 subjects with a 2.5 average using NCAA scale (9-7/A=4, 5-6/B/C=3, 4/D/E=2, F/G=1, 3-1/U=0). Subjects must include Math, English, Science, 2 electives

Language Requirements for 3-term Undergraduate Pathway
  • 60 iBT TOEFL
  • 5.5 IELTS
  • Level 4 Academic English completion
  • 44+ PTEA
  • 90 Duolingo
Language Requirements for 4-term Undergraduate Pathway
  • 50 iBT TOEFL
  • 5.0 IELTS
  • Level 3 Academic English completion
  • 41 PTEA
  • 75 Duolingo

University Honors College

Students offered admission to the Undergraduate Degree program may be considered for admission to the University Honors College (UHC) in order to earn OSU's most prestigious undergraduate degree, the Honors Baccalaureate. 

The UHC offers:

  • Challenging and creative curricula for students of all majors

  • Unique honors classes, typically limited to 12 or 20 students

  • OSU's finest professors, often chosen by UHC students

  • One-on-one mentoring by faculty members

  • An undergraduate thesis where students can pursue their academic and research interests. 

The honors community is diverse, supportive and active in the university and the community. The UHC values and embraces a global perspective and welcomes students from all countries and backgrounds.

Admission to the UHC is competitive. Applicants meeting the minimum academic criteria will also be evaluated on their responses to the essay portion of the UHC application and on their non-academic activities and contributions to their communities.

For more information about the UHC, visit the  UHC website.

Extended Admission

Students who do not meet the entry requirements for the program to which they're applying can petition for extended admission. After supplying the required documents, the student's admission decision will be reviewed by the university's Undergraduate Admissions Committee for an exception. Visit the admissions appeals aka extended admissions page for more information.

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. Simply qualifying for admission does not guarantee 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.