- Two years of the same second language in high school
- Two college terms of the same second language
- Proficiency test (e.g., SAT Subject Test or BYU Foreign Language Assessment)
- Other options for meeting the second-language requirement, including American Sign Language
Exceptions to this requirement are only considered for students graduating from high schools that do not offer two years of any second language.
College work may be used to complete courses missed in high school. A one-term transferable college course of at least 3 credits (quarter system) is equal to one year of high school work. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the UO Office of Admissions to verify that the courses completed will satisfy course pattern deficiencies.
An examination in a second language is strongly recommended to qualify a student for admission by meeting the second-language proficiency requirements. Students who do not take an SAT Subject Test have several other options to prove language proficiency through another approved process.
The UO offers tentative admission based on self-reported record and planned senior schedule. Final admission is granted only after the Office of Admissions has received official transcripts verifying successful completion of all admission requirements and graduation. If an applicant’s final record shows a substantial change, or if the applicant does not complete a course that was in progress at the time of application or admission or completes it with a low grade, the offer of admission may be withdrawn by the university.
Submission of Scores from Standardized Tests
The University of Oregon accepts scores for the SAT or ACT when reported on official high school transcripts or submitted to the Office of Admissions directly from the testing service. Test scores for applicants planning to participate in intercollegiate athletics must be received directly from the testing service.
When taking the test, applicants should list the University of Oregon as a score recipient. The school code number to use for the SAT is 4846; the code for the ACT is 3498.
Consideration of Narratives and Essays
Freshman applicants are required to submit an essay that serves as a personal statement to show not only writing ability but insights into the applicant’s personal characteristics. Students are also offered a chance to write optional essays for various purposes.
Consideration of Activities, Work, and Accomplishments
Most applicants are required to share a set number of examples of their activities outside the classroom. Students choose a variety of ways to be involved in activities—lead, volunteer, intern, hold jobs, and achieve special recognition. No type of activity will be valued more highly than another, so students should consider anything they have done as a possibility to share and discuss. However, applicants are limited to a finite number of items, because the selection process does not reward sheer volume of activity. Instead, the university seeks to use this information to better understand who the applicants are, and to learn more about their most meaningful interests and accomplishments.
Explanation of Special Circumstances (optional)
Applicants whose high school or college performance was affected by any serious illness, diagnosed disability, personal difficulties, or family circumstances should provide a statement to summarize their situation. Dates should be included when applicable. Applicants with D or F grades, especially those grades that make them fall short of course requirements, are strongly encouraged to address the reasons for these grades in this section.
Alternative Admission
The requirements for standard admission confer no guarantees of admission, and applicants who meet them may or may not be admitted due to the selective, holistic process that takes many academic and personal factors into consideration. Also, students who do not meet these requirements will still be considered for admission. Students who fall short of the standard requirements in any way should never let that deter them from applying; they are strongly encouraged to contact the UO Office of Admissions for further guidance and additional requirements. Students from homeschool settings and those who attend nonaccredited schools may be required to submit additional information and materials. Students who fall short of core subject requirements or those with low grades (especially those who fall below a 3.00 GPA) are encouraged to explain the reasons for their situation in the application.
Premajor Status
Departments or programs with premajor admission requirements include the Lundquist College of Business, certain majors in the College of Design, the College of Education, the School of Journalism and Communication, and the Department of International Studies. These units typically only permit newly admitted students to be considered premajors for their majors. A premajor student is eligible to take advantage of the department’s advising services and, in most cases, complete lower-division course work required for the major. Each department screens enrolled premajor students who have completed some university study and decides if they may advance to major status.
Transfer Admission
For applicants who will have attempted any college-level coursework after graduating from high school and will have completed 35 or fewer quarter credits (or 23 or fewer semester credits) by the time of expected enrollment at Oregon, admission will be based on both freshman and transfer admission requirements.
For applicants who have completed 36 or more quarter credits (or 24 or more semester credits) by the time of expected enrollment at Oregon, admission will be based only on the transfer admission requirements.
Course Requirements
A grade of C– or better is required in the following:
- College-level composition and writing
- College-level mathematics
- Second language: two years in high school or two terms in college
Applicants who will not have completed these courses should still consider applying, and they are encouraged to submit a letter of explanation or include an explanation in the special circumstances statement.
Required GPA
In college-transferable courses, the following cumulative GPAs are required for admission consideration:
- 2.25 for Oregon residents
- 2.50 for applicants without Oregon residency
- 2.00 for applicants, regardless of residency, who earn an associate of arts Oregon transfer (AAOT) degree from an Oregon community college, an associate of science Oregon transfer (ASOT) degree in business, or an Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) from any public two-year or four-year institution in Oregon
The University of Oregon may recalculate grades for purposes of establishing an admissions GPA. This means that an applicant’s admission GPA is not identical to the one presented by the previous institution. These recalculations will be made in regard to transferability of credit, repeat policies, or limits on certain types of credit.
Second-Language Proficiency
Applicants who graduated from high school or earned a general equivalency diploma (GED) in spring 1997 or later must document second-language proficiency by submitting an official transcript or score report verifying one of the following:
- Two years of the same language at an accredited high school
- Two terms of the same language at a regionally accredited college
- Proficiency test (e.g., SAT Subject Test or Brigham Young University Foreign Language Achievement Test)
Options for meeting the second language requirement, including American Sign Language, are available on the Office of Admissions website. Applicants admitted with an exception to this requirement are required to complete two college terms of the same language before graduating from the University of Oregon, regardless of the major or degree pursued.
Additional Considerations
Even if an applicant meets the minimum requirements stated above, factors of concern, especially a drop in GPA from recent course work, may still be considered before a decision on admission is made. In addition, when considering applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements, the Office of Admissions considers additional factors such as whether the applicant holds an associate of arts Oregon transfer degree from an Oregon community college or associate of arts degree from select community colleges in other states; which of the applicant’s completed courses fulfill university graduation requirements; the applicant’s grade point average (GPA); and the applicant’s grade trend throughout his or her academic history. Academic potential and special talents are also considered.
Application Procedure
Transfer applicants must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:
- A completed application for admission and a nonrefundable application fee
- An official transcript from each college and university attended. It is a firm requirement that applicants submit transcripts from any previous institution where credit was attempted, regardless of the grades or amount of credit earned, and regardless of how or whether the applicant intends to apply these credits toward UO requirements. Applicants who omit record of previous work attempted will be denied admission, and admitted students for whom this omission is discovered can have their offer of admission revoked, even if it is after they have begun enrollment at Oregon
- A high school transcript is not always required, but is often needed—not only for admission but for federal aid eligibility. Students should provide the high school transcript at the time of application whenever possible
Transfer students may submit their applications up to six months before they plan to enroll at the university, but may be asked to provide updated transcripts before final decisions are reached. Applications and official transcripts should be received by the university by the deadlines listed above to allow time for a complete evaluation of the transferred credits.
Transfer of Credit
The amount of credit transferred depends on the nature of the applicant’s college work, which is evaluated according to the academic requirements of the University of Oregon. Only college-level academic course work from regionally accredited two- and four-year colleges or universities will be considered for transfer. Up to 124 credits from regionally accredited community or junior colleges, of which only 90 credits may be transferred from an international junior college, may be applied to the bachelor’s degree.
See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for requirements that apply to new undergraduates.
Premajor Status
Departments or programs with premajor admission requirements are the Lundquist College of Business, certain majors in the College of Design, the College of Education, the School of Journalism and Communication, and the Department of International Studies. These units only permit newly admitted students to be considered premajors for their majors. A premajor student is eligible to take advantage of the department’s advising services and, in most cases, complete lower-division course work required for the major. Each department screens enrolled premajor students who have completed some university study and decides if they may advance to major status.
Dual Enrollment Program
The University of Oregon has dual-enrollment agreements with Lane Community College and Southwestern Oregon Community College. These programs provide students with the academic and administrative advantages of simultaneous enrollment in two institutions. More information and applications for admission are available from the UO Office of Admissions and at either community college. No student can be in the dual enrollment program without first being successfully admitted to the University of Oregon.
International Admission
Applicants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents are considered for admission to the university as international students.
International applicants, whether freshman or transfer, may apply for admission fall, winter, and spring terms and summer session. All deadlines are the same as for US students in these categories. Applications received after the deadlines are considered on a space-available basis. See the admission requirements for individual countries.
A GPA of 2.50 is required for undergraduates who want to transfer from another university or college.
English Proficiency. Students whose native language is not English must supply results of a standardized language-proficiency test. The University of Oregon currently accepts the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) examinations for establishing proficiency, as well as the SAT or ACT. To be considered for full admission without an English placement test upon arriving, applicants must score an 88 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 in the IELTS, or a 100 on the DET. An applicant with at least a 61 TOEFL or 6.0 IELTS can be considered for full admission and will take an English language placement test after arriving at the university. Placement test results determine whether students are required to take language support courses in the Academic English for International Students (AEIS) program. Students placed in AEIS courses also concurrently enroll in regular university credit courses.
Conditional admission. International applicants who do not meet the proficiency requirements above may be offered conditional admission if their academic record is otherwise strong for admission. Through the conditional admission program, the student can take courses through the Intensive English Program (IEP), then proceed to regular university credit courses once IEP requirements are satisfied.
More information about the American English Institute and AEIS and IEP courses may be found on the institute’s website.
Application Procedure
International applicants for freshman or transfer admission must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:
- A completed international application for admission and a nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts of all schoolwork taken beyond the eighth year of school (i.e., the equivalent of the American secondary school grades 9–12 and for any college or university work). An official transcript is an original or a certified copy in a sealed envelope. (In most cases, international freshman applicants will instead self-report their high school transcript at the time of application' they will still be required to provide an official final transcript at the end of the process.)
- An official test score report from one of the English proficiency tests described above
- Proof of sufficient funds to pay one year’s tuition and living expenses while at the University of Oregon, consisting of a bank statement or certificate of balance prepared within the last six months, or a scholarship letter. This proof is a requirement of the US government
Postbaccalaureate Admission
Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree and want to earn a second undergraduate degree or to take additional work without entering a formal degree or certification program may be admitted with postbaccalaureate undergraduate status. These students pay appropriate undergraduate fees. Applications and information are available from the Office of Admissions.
Graduate Admission
Students planning to pursue graduate study at the university must be admitted to the Division of Graduate Studies and the departments in which they plan to study. General admission requirements for the Division of Graduate Studies are described in that section of this catalog. Each school and department in the university determines its specific requirements and application deadlines for graduate admission. For this reason, inquiries concerning graduate admission should be sent directly to the department or school of interest.
Notice to Nonresidents of the State of Oregon
Definitions
The following words and phrases mean:
(1) "Domicile" is a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation. It is the place where a person intends to remain and to which the person expects to return when the person leaves without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere. In order to establish a domicile in Oregon, a person must maintain a predominant physical presence in Oregon for 12 consecutive months after moving to the state.
(2) A "financially independent person" is a person who, at the time of application for residency status:
(a) declares himself or herself to be financially independent;
(b) has not been claimed as a dependent during the immediately preceding tax year, and will not be claimed as a dependent during the current tax year, on the federal or state income tax returns of any other person; and
(c) has not received in the immediately preceding calendar year, and will not receive during the current calendar year, one-half or more of his or her support, in cash or in kind, from another person or persons, except for support received from his or her spouse.
A "financially dependent person" is a person who, at the time of application for residency status:
(a) has been claimed as a dependent on the federal and state income tax returns of another person during the immediately preceding tax year; or
(b) is eligible to be claimed as a dependent for tax purposes and can provide evidence that one-half or more of the individual’s financial support was provided by another person or persons.
Determination of Residence
(1) For purposes of admission and instruction fee assessment, the University of Oregon shall classify a student as an Oregon resident or nonresident. In determining resident or nonresident classification, the primary issue is a person’s intent in coming to Oregon. Intent is inferred from a person’s conduct and history as they relate to the requirements of these residency rules. If a person is in Oregon primarily for the purpose of obtaining an education, that person will be considered a nonresident. It is possible for an individual to qualify as a resident of Oregon for purposes of voting or obtaining an Oregon driver’s license and not meet the residency requirements established by these rules.
(2) An Oregon resident is a financially independent person who, prior to the term for which Oregon resident classification is requested, has both:
(a) established and maintained a domicile in Oregon for 12 consecutive months; and
(b) during that period, has been primarily engaged in activities other than those of being a college student.
(3) A student may be considered primarily engaged in educational activities regardless of the number of hours for which the student is enrolled. However, a student who is enrolled for more than 8 hours in any semester or quarter during the 12-month period referred to in section (2) of this rule shall be presumed to be in Oregon for primarily educational purposes. Such period of enrollment shall not be counted toward the establishment of a bona fide domicile of 12 consecutive months in this state unless the student proves, in fact, establishment of a bona fide domicile in this state primarily for purposes other than educational.
(4) An Oregon resident is also a financially dependent person who is claimed as a dependent by another person who has both:
(a) established and maintained an Oregon domicile for 12 consecutive months; and
(b) during that period, has been primarily engaged in activities other than those of being a college student.
(5) A financially dependent person who is claimed as a dependent by another person who has not established and maintained an Oregon domicile shall be presumed to be a non-resident. This presumption may be overcome by evidence of the student’s long-standing presence in Oregon and demonstration of other factors.
(6) The criteria for determining Oregon resident classification shall also be used to determine whether a person who has moved from Oregon has established a non-Oregon residence.
(7) If institution records show that the residence of a student or the person upon whom the student is dependent is outside of Oregon, the student shall continue to be classified as a nonresident until entitlement to resident classification is shown. The burden of showing that the residence classification should be changed is on the student requesting the change.
(8) Notwithstanding section (4) of this rule, a student who is financially dependent on a non-Oregon resident may nonetheless be considered an Oregon resident if the student resides in Oregon for at least 12 consecutive months with a parent or legal guardian who has both:
(a) established and maintained an Oregon domicile for 12 consecutive months; and
(b) during that period, has been primarily engaged in activities other than those of being a college student.
Residency Consideration Factors
(1) The following factors, although not necessarily conclusive or exclusive, have probative value in support of a claim for Oregon resident classification:
(a) Reside in Oregon for 12 consecutive months prior to the beginning of the term for which resident classification is sought and during that period be primarily engaged in activities other than those of a college student;
(b) Reliance upon Oregon resources for financial support;
(c) Domicile in Oregon of persons legally responsible for the student;
(d) Acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in Oregon; and
(e) Ownership by the person of his or her living quarters in Oregon.
(2) The following factors, standing alone, do not constitute sufficient evidence to effect classification as an Oregon resident:
(a) Voting or registration to vote;
(b) Employment in any position normally filled by a student;
(c) The lease of living quarters;
(d) Admission to a licensed practicing profession in Oregon;
(e) Automobile registration;
(f) Public records, for example, birth and marriage records, Oregon driver’s license;
(g) Continuous presence in Oregon during periods when not enrolled in school;
(h) Ownership of property in Oregon or the payment of Oregon income or other Oregon taxes; or
(i) Domicile in Oregon of the student’s spouse.
(3) Reliance upon non-Oregon resources for financial support is an inference of residency in another state.
Evidence of Financial Dependency
(1) In determining whether a student is financially dependent, a student must provide:
(a) Evidence of established domicile of the person claiming the student as a dependent; and
(b) The identification of the student as a dependent on the federal and state income tax returns of the person claiming the student as a dependent. Additional documentation to substantiate dependency during the current calendar year may be required at a later time if deemed necessary by the institution.
(2) A student who provides evidence that he or she is a financially dependent person under these rules shall not be required to establish a 12-month domicile prior to classification of resident status, provided such a student may not be classified as a resident while receiving financial assistance from another state or state agency for educational purposes.
Residence Classification of Armed Forces Personnel
(1) For purposes of this rule, members of the armed forces means officers and enlisted personnel of:
(a) The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard of the United States;
(b) Reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard of the United States;
(c) The National Guard of the United States and the Oregon National Guard.
(2) Active members of the armed forces and their spouses and dependent children shall be considered residents for purposes of the instructional fee if the members:
(a) Reside in this state while assigned to duty at any base, station, shore establishment, or other facility in this state;
(b) Reside in this state while serving as members of the crew of a ship that has an Oregon port of shore establishment as its home port or permanent station; or
(c) Reside in another state or a foreign country and file Oregon state income taxes no later than 12 months before leaving active duty.
(3) An Oregon resident entering the armed forces retains Oregon residence classification until it is voluntarily relinquished.
(4) An Oregon resident who has been in the armed forces and assigned on duty outside of Oregon, including a person who establishes residency under section (2)(c) of this rule, must, within a reasonable time, demonstrate an intent to retain classification as an Oregon resident. Such intent may be shown by returning to Oregon within six months after completing service in the armed forces.
(5) A person who continues to reside in Oregon after separation from the armed forces may count the time spent in the state while in the armed forces to support a claim for classification as an Oregon resident.
(6) The dependent child and spouse of a person who is a resident under section (2) of this rule shall be considered an Oregon resident. "Dependent child" includes any child of a member of the armed forces who:
(a) Is under 18 years of age and not married, otherwise emancipated or self-supporting; or
(b) Is under 23 years of age, unmarried, enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning, and dependent on the member for over one-half of his/her support.
Residence Classification of Members of Oregon Tribes
(1) Students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes of Oregon or who are enrolled members of a Native American tribe which had traditional and customary tribal boundaries that included parts of the state of Oregon or which had ceded or reserved lands within the state of Oregon shall be assessed resident tuition regardless of their state of residence.
(2) For purposes of this rule, the federally recognized tribes of Oregon are:
(a) Burns Paiute Tribe;
(b) Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw;
(c) Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon;
(d) Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon;
(e) Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation;
(f) Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation;
(g) Coquille Indian Tribe;
(h) Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians;
(3) For purposes of this rule, the Native American tribes which had traditional and customary tribal boundaries that included parts of the state of Oregon or which had ceded or reserved lands within the state of Oregon are:
(A) Benton Paiute Tribe;
(B) Big Bend Rancheria;
(C) Big Lagoon Rancheria;
(D) Blue Lake Rancheria;
(E) Bridgeport Indian Colony;
(F) Cedarville Rancheria;
(G) Fort Bidwell Indian Tribe;
(H) Hoopa Valley Tribe;
(I) Karuk Tribe of California;
(J) Likely Rancheria;
(K) Lookout Rancheria;
(L) Lytton Rancheria;
(M) Melochundum Band of Tolowa Indians;
(N) Montgomery Creek Rancheria;
(O) Pit River Tribe;
(P) Quartz Valley Indian Community;
(Q) Redding Rancheria;
(R) Roaring Creek Rancheria;
(S) Smith River Rancheria;
(T) Susanville Rancheria;
(U) Tolowa-Tututni Tribe;
(V) Winnemucca Colony;
(A) Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho;
(B) Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
(A) Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribes;
(B) Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe;
(C) Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe;
(D) Lovelock Paiute Tribe;
(E) Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe;
(F) Reno-Sparks Indian Colony;
(G) Summit Lake Paiute Tribe;
(H) Walker River Paiute Tribe;
(I) Winnemucca Indian Colony;
(J) Yerington Paiute Tribe.
(d) OKLAHOMA: Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma.
(A) Chehalis Community Council;
(B) Colville Confederated Tribes;
(C) Quinault Indian Nation;
(D) Shoalwater Bay Tribe;
(E) Yakama Indian Nation.
(4) A student seeking to be assessed resident tuition under the provisions of this rule shall submit, following procedures prescribed by the OUS institution where the student seeks to enroll, a photocopy of tribal enrollment that documents tribal membership.
Residence Classification of Non-Citizens
A person who is not a citizen of the United States may be considered an Oregon resident if the person qualifies as a resident and is one of the following:
(1) A lawful permanent resident. The date of receipt of an application for lawful permanent residency shall be the earliest date upon which the 12-month residency requirements may begin to accrue.
(2) An immigrant granted refugee or political asylum in the United States, or entering through a special parole program (such as the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program, the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, the Central American Minor Refugee/Parole Program, the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program). The date of receipt of an application for political asylum, refugee status, or qualifying special parole program shall be the earliest date upon which the 12-month residency requirements under Section B may begin to accrue.
(3) A person holding one of the following non-immigrant visa classifications: A, E, G, H-1B, H-1C, the spouse or child of a person holding an H-1B or H-1C visa, I, K, L, NATO, O, R, S, T, TN, U, or V. The date of the issuance of a visa for one of these classifications shall be the earliest date upon which the 12-month residency requirements may begin to accrue. A person possessing a non-immigrant or temporary visa that is not identified under this rule shall not be considered an Oregon resident.
(4) A person who is a citizen of an American territory or a sovereign nation that does not require a nonimmigrant visa to travel to the US.
(5) An immigrant granted a federal status leading to the establishment of permanent residency or citizenship in the United States. Documentation of a status that is not explicitly included in this compact will be at the discretion of the Interinstitutional Residency Committee.
Changes in Residence Classification
(1) If an Oregon resident student enrolls in an institution outside of Oregon and later seeks to re-enroll in a University that applies these residency standards , the residence classification of that student shall be re-examined and determined on the same basis as for any other person.
(2) A student who becomes eligible for resident tuition during a term of enrollment at a University will not qualify for resident tuition until the beginning of the next term.
(3) Once established, classification as a resident continues so long as the student remains in continuous academic year enrollment in the classifying institution.
(4) A person who seeks classification as a resident under these rules shall complete and submit a notarized Residence Information Affidavit. The affidavit and all required supportive documents and materials must be submitted by the last day to register for the term in which resident status is sought.
(5) No other institution is bound by any determination of residency except by duly authorized officials under procedures prescribed by these rules including timely submittal of the notarized affidavit.
Review of Residence Classification Decisions
An interinstitutional residency committee (IRC) is established consisting of the officers who determine student residence classification at each university that applies this residency procedure. The chair of the committee shall rotate among the universities with no chair serving more than two consecutive years. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. A majority of a quorum may make recommendations.
Residence cases of unusual complexity, especially where there may be conflict of rules, may be referred to by the originating classification officer to the IRC for its recommendation.
Any person who is aggrieved by the originating classification officer's classification decision may, within 10 days of the date of mailing or other service of the classification decision, request that the IRC review the classification and make recommendations to the registrar or designee of the originating university. The appeal must be in writing and shall be filed with the originating university. An aggrieved person may supply written statements to the IRC for consideration in reviewing the case and may also make oral presentation to the IRC on a date to be scheduled by the IRC. The IRC shall make a recommendation to the registrar or designee of the originating university. That registrar or designee shall then issue a decision. The decision of the registrar or designee shall be final unless appealed.
A person dissatisfied with the decision of the registrar or designee may, within 10 days of the date of the mailing or other service of the decision, appeal the decision to the president or designee of the originating university. An appeal shall be in writing only. The decision of the president or designee shall be final.
A person granted a meritorious hardship exception to residency under the Oregon Administrative Rules regarding residency prior to July 1, 1990, shall not lose the exception solely because of the repeal of the exception authorization.
