# Who gets in?

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

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- [Email](mailto:askabuckeye@osu.edu "Email us: askabuckeye@osu.edu")

# Who gets in?

## What we're looking for

Applicants to The Ohio State University’s Columbus campus are considered for admission on a competitive basis. Our most important charge in Undergraduate Admissions is to select from all applicants a first-year class that exemplifies the best characteristics of The Ohio State University.

We seek students who are ready to thrive in a challenging academic environment, and who bring curiosity, drive and the desire to contribute meaningfully to campus life. Successful applicants show a commitment to engaging with our community and embracing different perspectives. They’re not just leaders — they’re problem solvers who value collaboration and teamwork. They actively seek out opportunities to discover their purpose and the impact they want to have in the world.

## [Ohio State’s application review process](#collapseAppRev)

### How we evaluate applications

- **We evaluate each applicant in terms of criteria that measure the merit of academic achievement** as well as personal interests, talents, accomplishments and challenges. See the list of criteria below.
- **We review every application we receive.** To arrive at the most appropriate admission decision, we thoroughly review each application and all submitted materials.
- **We evaluate each applicant holistically.** We don’t select applicants based on any single criterion. All criteria are considered as part of our review of the whole person.

### Selectivity and building the class

Ohio State receives applications from many more students than we can admit each semester. In building the class to meet our goals, our admission committee evaluates each applicant against all applicants in that year’s pool.

The holistic and comprehensive process described here allows Undergraduate Admissions and the university to create access to an Ohio State education and attract academically talented and engaged students who will be successful at Ohio State, contribute to our campus and graduate with an Ohio State degree.

## [Admission criteria](#collapseAdmissCrit)

### Criteria of our holistic review, in no particular order.

- Successful completion of Ohio State's
  **minimum college prep requirements** ([see table below](https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/who-gets-in#minreqFR))
- **High school performance** (class rank or GPA), including participation in accelerated programs like Honors, AP and IB; Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for class rank or GPA
  \
- **Standardized test score** (ACT or SAT); Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for ACT or SAT scores
- Experiences that demonstrate **leadership or engaged involvement** (e.g., co-curricular activities, work experiences or military service)
  \
- Status as a
  **first-generation college student** 
  \
- Demonstration of
  **outstanding talent in a particular area** 
  \
- Ability/commitment to
  **contribute to and engage with a campus community** of people with a wide variety of experiences\
- Demonstrated personal qualities of
  **collaboration, determination and resilience**\
- **High school performance if adversely affected** by physical, mental or learning environment factors
- Eligibility for and likelihood of
  **benefiting from organized support services** at Ohio State

\

### Minimum college prep requirements

|  | |
| --- | --- |
| English | |
| **Minimum required** | 4 units |
| Math | |
| **Minimum required** | 3 units |
| **Recommended** | 4 units |
| **Additional consideration** | X |
| Natural science (with significant lab experience) | |
| **Minimum required** | 3 units |
| **Additional consideration** | X |
| Social science | |
| **Minimum required** | 2 units |
| **Recommended** | 3 units |
| Foreign language | |
| **Minimum required** | 2 units of same language |
| **Recommended** | 3 units |
| **Additional consideration** | X |
| Visual or performing arts | |
| **Minimum required** | 1 unit |
| Plus 1 additional unit in any of the above subjects. Advanced computer science can be used to fulfill a math or natural science unit, provided the secondary school categorizes the course as math or science. | |
| **Understanding this table**   - **Minimum required:** Be aware that most admitted students exceed these minimums. See “Student profile” below. - **Recommended:** For these subjects, we find that students who have completed additional units are better prepared for college-level course work. - **Additional consideration:** Success in these areas is a strong indicator of one’s potential to succeed in college. Therefore, students exceeding the minimum curriculum in these subjects are given additional consideration. | |

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | **Minimum required** | **Recommended** | **Additional consideration** |
| English | 4 units |  |  |
| Math | 3 units | 4 units | X |
| Natural science (with significant lab experience) | 3 units |  | X |
| Social science | 2 units | 3 units |  |
| Foreign language | 2 units of same language | 3 units | X |
| Visual or performing arts | 1 unit |  |  |
| Plus 1 additional unit in any of the above subjects. Advanced computer science can be used to fulfill a math or natural science unit, provided the secondary school categorizes the course as math or science. | | | |
| **Understanding this table**   - **Minimum required:** Be aware that most admitted students exceed these minimums. See “Student profile” below. - **Recommended:** For these subjects, we find that students who have completed additional units are better prepared for college-level course work. - **Additional consideration:** Success in these areas is a strong indicator of one’s potential to succeed in college. Therefore, students exceeding the minimum curriculum in these subjects are given additional consideration. | | | |

### Enrollment in your intended major

Once it is determined that you are admissible, you will be considered for enrollment in the college of your intended major. Read about

[enrollment criteria](https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/who-gets-in/enrollment-criteria).

## [Student profile](#collapseProfile)

### A snapshot of last year’s admitted class, autumn term

#### Most exceeded minimum college prep requirements

85% exceeded foreign language requirements
\
99% exceeded math requirements
\
89% exceeded natural science requirements

#### Most ranked in the top of their high school classes

98% ranked in the top quarter
\
77% ranked in the top 10%

#### Most performed very well on standardized tests

> **ACT composite** 
>
> 50% of admitted students scored between 29 and 33\
> 25% scored below 29\
> 25% scored above 33
> \
>
> **SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math)**
>
> 50% of admitted students scored between 1360 and 1500\
> 25% scored below 1360
> \
> 25% scored above 1500\