# After you apply

**Source**: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/after-you-apply
**Parent**: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/after-you-are-admitted

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# After you apply

## Activate your username and password

Within three days of applying, you will receive an email from Ohio State acknowledging receipt of your application that includes your OSU ID and Ohio State username (lastname.#).

- Follow the instructions in the email to activate your
  **Ohio State username** (lastname.#). This will give you access to your
  [Applicant Center](https://appstatus.osu.edu/) where you can check on the status of your application.
- Use your
  **OSU ID** in correspondence with us about your application.
- If you have
  **problems** activating, contact our IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357 or
  [8help@osu.edu](mailto:8help%40osu.edu).

## Check your application status

Log in to your
[Applicant Center](https://appstatus.osu.edu/) to check the status of your application and all requirements. Required application materials must be received by Ohio State by the application deadline.

### Applicant FAQ

### [Where do I find the status of my application?](#collapseOne)

Log in to your
[Applicant Center](https://appstatus.osu.edu/) and click
**Application Status** to view your admissions status and any incomplete To Do items.\

### [I submitted an item. Why is it still listed as “incomplete”?](#collapse25)

There are two likely possibilities:

1. **Lag time:** When transcripts, test scores, fees or other items are submitted, they must be processed and matched to your application. It can take up to 10 days for us to complete this step.
2. **Problem with an item:** If we receive an item but it does not meet our requirements, it will be listed as "incomplete." Log in to your Applicant Center and click
   **Application Status** to view details about incomplete To Do items.

### [How can I be sure an item is complete?](#collapse3)

Once an item is processed, it will be marked “complete” or it will no longer appear in the To Do List.

### [I submitted an item but it shows as “incomplete” and the deadline has passed!](#collapse4)

As long as an item is received by midnight (EST) of your deadline day, we will count it as being on time, even if we haven’t finished processing it.

### Watch for your admission decision

Your decision will first be posted in your
[Applicant Center](https://appstatus.osu.edu/), so keep an eye on that for the most up-to-date information. See decision terms in the callout on this page.

### First-year applicants – 2026 autumn term entry

|  | |
| --- | --- |
| Early action | |
| Application completion deadline | Nov. 1 |
| Decision release | **Dec. 12** for all Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants ----- **Jan. 23** for all non-Ohio residents and international applicants |
| Reply date | May 1 |
| Regular decision | |
| Application completion deadline | Jan. 15 |
| Decision release | **March 6** |
| Reply date | May 1 |

|  | Application completion deadline | Decision release | Reply date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Early action | Nov. 1 | **Dec. 12** for all Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants ----- **Jan. 23** for all non-Ohio residents and international applicants | May 1 |
| Regular decision | Jan. 15 | **March 6** | May 1 |

#### First-year applicants – 2026 spring term entry

| Application completion deadline | |
| --- | --- |
| Nov. 1 | |
| Decision release | rolling |
| Reply date | 3 weeks after offer of admission |

| Application completion deadline | Decision release | Reply date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nov. 1 | rolling | 3 weeks after offer of admission |

### If you haven’t already done so, submit the FAFSA and the ScholarshipUniverse application

Every student is highly encouraged to file the FAFSA and complete the ScholarshipUniverse application by Ohio State's priority date (February 1) to be considered for the most financial aid (including scholarships, grants, loans and Federal Work-Study). 
[Check out this helpful financial aid Apply Checklist.](https://sfa.osu.edu/incoming-freshmen/apply-for-aid/apply-checklist)\

#### Decision terms

**Admit**\
Congratulations on being admitted! A notice about specific college enrollment and next steps is on the way.

**Defer**\
We have not yet made a final decision. Following the application deadline, deferred applications are reviewed a second time, with consideration to academic performance, competitiveness of the applicant pool and available space.
*Please do not send additional materials if deferred, as they will not be considered.*

**Deny**
\
*Ohio residents:* While not admitted to the Columbus campus, there is a great alternative: to begin one of Ohio State’s 200+ degrees at one of Ohio State’s regional campuses. If an alternate campus wasn’t selected, admission will still be granted automatically to one.\

*Nonresidents:* Admission was not granted. Apply again later as a transfer student, or for a different term.