Finding Your Fit

As you enter your junior year of high school and begin your college search process, there are a lot of factors to consider and steps you can be taking to prepare for the application process. We know this can be a stressful time, but here are some tips, tricks, and things you can do now to get a head start and to help you determine if the University of Oklahoma is the place for you!

The best way to learn more about OU and all we have to offer you is to come and visit our beautiful campus in Norman, Oklahoma! During your visit, you will hear about OU from staff, tour our campus with a current OU student, see our state-of-the-art facilities, and experience the OU community and spirit. You can even add an academic session to learn more about the major you are interested in and meet the program's staff and faculty members.

Check out these resources to help you as you prepare and study for the ACT and SAT. These scores will be considered when you apply for admission and will also be used, along with your scholarship GPA, to award merit-based scholarships. 

Do you need money to help pay for college? Start searching for outside scholarships and looking into the resources available at OU. Sign up for RaiseMe to earn microscholarships for academic and extracurricular achievements throughout high school, and visit our scholarships page to learn more about the internal scholarship opportunities offered by OU. For these internal scholarships, you will apply when you submit your OU application. You must apply by Dec. 15 of your senior year to receive priority consideration.

Start thinking about if you would like to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the government-provided application for need-based funds for college costs. The FAFSA will be available to fill out starting on Oct. 1 of your senior year, and while it is not required, we highly recommend completing the FAFSA regardless of your family's income.

At OU, we use a holistic admissions process. While academic rigor and performance is most important, we feel a student's potential is based on more than just numbers, and so we look at each individual for a range of qualities and also consider engagement, letters of recommendation, and an essay. If you don't have one already, create a resume and start thinking about what information you want to include on your application to highlight your engagement, or consider if there are any new organizations you'd like to join, activities you'd like to try, or AP courses you'd like to take.

As you create a list of colleges you may be interested in attending, consider all aspects of those institutions. When you come on an OU campus visit, ask your tour guides questions about what it is like to be an OU student. Read stories about the impacts OU students are having on campus and in their communities, what alumni are doing with their OU degrees, and other exciting aspects of the university. Check out the more than 500 student organizations offered by OU, look into the majors you can study, and start to imagine what your life would look like as a member of the Sooner family.

Did you know that you are assigned an OU Admissions Counselor based on your school? This admissions counselor can help you explore academic options and answer any questions you and your family have. Click here to connect with your admissions counselor!