First-year Students

To be eligible for fall semester and merit-based scholarships, submit all required materials by March 1. Scholarships are awarded based on academic record, GPA, SAT, ACT, ect., at the time of admission. Students may submit updated transcripts and test scores before March 1 for reconsideration.

For direct admission consideration to OU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing, apply by January 5 of your senior year in high school.

OU’s Business Honors Direct Admit Program reviews all supplemental applications prior to your start at Oakland University.

For majors within OU’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance, you must be accepted and participate in an audition.

Generally, first-year student admission to Oakland University is based on a combination of criteria:

• A completed Oakland University admission application. While an essay is optional, interested students may choose to include an essay for consideration.
• Cumulative high school grade point averages of 3.2 or above. Applicants with cumulative grade point averages below 3.2, but above 2.5, may be admitted after consideration of the quality of academic preparation. Scholarship awards are based on a student's academic record at the time of admission. However, students may submit updated transcripts and/or test scores for scholarship reconsideration until the March 1 scholarship priority deadline.
• SAT or ACT scores are no longer required for incoming freshman students through the fall of 2025, for students with a minimum high school GPA of 2.5.
• Number and types of college preparatory courses
• Positive trend of grades

Additionally, students must meet their state graduation requirements. First-year college students interested in applying to Oakland University's Honors College should check their additional admission criteria.

We strongly encourage students to follow a college preparatory curriculum that includes:

• Four years of English
• A minimum of three years of mathematics, including intermediate algebra
• A minimum of three years in social sciences
• A minimum of three years in biological/physical sciences
• A minimum of two years in a foreign language

Oakland University does not require letters of recommendation as part of the application for freshman admission.

If you have graduated before 2008 and do not have SAT or ACT composite scores, contact Undergraduate Admissions at (248) 370-3360.

OU is temporarily suspending the standardized test requirement for first-year students applying for academic terms through the fall of 2025. 

FAQs

If I am applying as a first-year/freshman student, am I required to take the SAT or ACT test and send you my scores?

OU has suspended the standardized test requirement for students applying for freshman admission through the fall of 2025.

Can I take the SAT or ACT and submit scores if I want to?

Students are not precluded from taking standardized tests (SAT or ACT) and sending scores if they are able. Doing so can support their institutional scholarship eligibility, as well as help them with course placement.

Should I choose the Pass/No Pass grading option for my high school coursework?

OU cannot instruct individual schools or districts on how to choose to implement their grading policy. If your high school allows different grading options for different courses, you can choose the grading option that you feel is most beneficial for each course. Keep in mind that Pass grades will not be included in the GPA calculation, nor will they receive an extra credit in the GPA if they are approved Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. However, graded AP and IB courses will be factored into GPA recalculation, if your school does not provide a weighted GPA.

Does this mean it will be easier for students to get into OU?

This does not lower the bar for OU admission; admission at OU is highly sought after and will continue to be just as competitive. At OU we review a student’s cumulative high school grade point average and also take into consideration the rigor of their curriculum, which includes any Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework.

How does this admission change affect homeschool students?

Students who are homeschooled will also need to have earned a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school GPA to be considered for admission, but similarly will not be required to submit standardized test scores for admission consideration. They will still be encouraged to submit standardized test scores, when testing is available, as doing so can support their institutional scholarship eligibility, application for certain scholarships and help them with course placement.

How does this admission change affect University scholarship and need-based aid awards for incoming freshmen?

At this time, we plan to continue offering several scholarship awards that do not require a standardized test score, and some that will require a score. This change has no effect on our institutional need-based financial aid awards for incoming freshmen.

1. Complete the online application.
2. Have your official high school transcripts sent to Undergraduate Admissions. If your school utilizes the Parchment service for transcript requests, you can have click here to have your official transcripts sent directly to our office (or follow the instructions in this video). Please also arrange to have your final, official transcript (including date of graduation) sent to Undergraduate Admissions. If a final high school transcript reflects a significant downward trend in grades, Oakland University reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission.
3. Follow these links to request that your SAT and/or ACT results be sent to Oakland University.
   • ACT — OU’s school code is 2033
   • SAT — OU’s school code is 1497

Oakland University welcomes students who have gone above and beyond by earning college-level credit through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). OU’s Office of the Registrar evaluates and awards credit or exemption for certain scores on AP, IB, CLEP and DSST. We also recognize the IB diploma. You should apply for admission and be sure to send your scores directly to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.

Oakland University is proud to welcome home-schooled students to its campus. Home-schooled students applying for admission need to supply a transcript and meet regular admissions requirements, as well as have a minimum score of 1020 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math) on the SAT, or a minimum score of 20 on the ACT. You can print and submit the transcript form with your online application, if needed.

Once Oakland University receives your application, we will:

• Process your application to ensure all materials have been received
• Determine your grade point average for admission
• Make a decision regarding your application
• Share the decision with you via U.S. mail

Many home-schooled students also choose to dual-enroll at Oakland University.

GED students applying for admission to Oakland University must be at least 18 years old and have a GED score of at least 165 in each subject area (for a total score of 660 or higher). If you earned the GED prior to January 1, 2014, you may gain admission with a score of 55 or 550, depending on the test scoring system in place at that time. Please have your official GED score sent to Undergraduate Admissions when applying for admission.

Undergraduate Admissions
Wilson Hall, Room 2000
371 Wilson Blvd.
Rochester, MI 48309-4454

As an incoming OU student, you may transfer up to half of the minimum credits required for your intended degree from a community college. OU accepts transfer credit from all regionally accredited institutions and some non-regionally accredited institutions. All students transferring to OU must earn at least 45 credits at Oakland University to complete a bachelor’s program.

After you are admitted, you will receive an official transfer credit evaluation. All coursework completed with a 2.0 (or equivalent) or better grade is evaluated. You may use transferred courses for general education and major requirements. Academic departments will review transcripts for credits to be used toward major requirements by the end of your first semester at OU. OU participates in several community college transfer agreements, including the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). Learn about the benefits of following a transfer agreement .

You can also follow a transfer program guide for your intended OU major, from any community college in Michigan.

Appealing an Admission Decision
Oakland University carefully and thoughtfully considers all of the information applicants provide at the point of application. OU's application review process involves the careful reading and consideration of each applicant. An applicant for admission may submit an appeal if there is new information that was not previously provided at the point of application.

1. A description of the new information (not already included in your original admissions application) that should be considered by the Director. This new information can be related to the applicant's academic performance, or a description of the extenuating circumstances, which was not provided at the original point of application.
2. Any relevant supplemental information, including an updated transcript or standardized test scores, if applicable.