It’s never too early, but freshman year of high school is a good starting point. Start thinking about activities through the lens of, “will this help me get into college?”, identify universities you may be interested in, and explore the university's academic programs, cost of attendance, and admissions requirements.
Have a discussion about the cost of attendance early and determine if it’s feasible. Are parents or other family members able to contribute? If so, how much, and how will you make up the difference? What scholarships does the university offer and how are they awarded? What outside scholarships are available, what is required of them, and when are their applications due? Will you work during college? All of these things should be taken into consideration. Explore the university’s website to learn more. This gives you time to plan, especially if you are really interested in a specific college that is outside of the budget.
Visit ou.edu/admissions/apply for more information on applying to OU.
The documents needed to review your application include an official high school transcript, personal essay, ACT or SAT test scores (optional), letter(s) of recommendation (optional), and official copies of any AP or CLEP test scores (if applicable).
Incoming freshmen can apply one of three ways to the University of Oklahoma: through the OU Application, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. All applications are thoroughly read by an admissions counselor and are evaluated holistically regardless of application type. When applying, please choose only one application and continue using that application throughout the entire process.
AUG. 1
Admission application opens
OCT. 1
FAFSA opens for fall
NOV. 1
Early action admission deadline & spring application deadline
DEC. 15
Final scholarships admission deadline
FEB. 1
Final admission deadline
OU Application - apply directly to OU through our website
Common - apply to a variety of schools with one centralized application
Apply Coalition with Scoir - apply to a variety of schools with one centralized application
Visit our scholarships page to learn more about scholarships available for freshmen and our Diversity Enrichment Programs scholarships. Apply by completing the supplemental scholarship essays on the application for admission.
The University of Oklahoma welcomes all applications from different parts of the world. Freshman applicants are reviewed year to year. Applications are reviewed holistically and reviewed only within the pool of entry term the applicant has intended on the application.
We believe that there is not one measure of success for students, so we look at the whole student in our decision-making process. The four factors we look at in a student’s application include: academic rigor, engagement, essay, and letter(s) of recommendation. The OU Admissions Committee reviews all information submitted by and on behalf of each applicant. The Committee determines several outcomes.
Admit - Applicants may be admitted without additional conditions.
Contract - The applicant may be offered admission based on terms outlined in an admissions agreement.
Waitlist - The applicant may be placed on a waitlist. Applications on the waitlist will be admitted on a space-available basis, with preference given to the most academically qualified applicants in the pool. We understand that the "wait" may be challenging for many students and their parents. We make every effort to finalize our waitlist decisions by May 1.
Deny - An applicant may be denied admission.
It is always best to apply early to hear back sooner on admissions and scholarships. The longer you wait to apply, the longer you have to wait to hear a decision. Test scores can be updated through April 30.
Your admissions counselor is a university employee who is responsible for admissions and recruiting in your region. They help families through the college search process and provide insight as requested. They frequently review and make decisions on admission applications. It is important that you build a relationship with the admissions counselor so they can advocate on your behalf during the admissions process. They’re familiar with scholarship opportunities and can identify resources to help you succeed.
Following admission, a housing contract will be available to complete. Most universities will require students to stay on campus their freshman year. Check with your admissions counselor to confirm (for OU, freshmen must live on campus unless they receive approval from OU Housing & Food to be exempt from campus housing). We recommend taking a housing tour to explore available options.
There are many ways to recognize that you made the right decision in choosing the college for you. You will find a program that fits your interests and provides support to ensure success. You will identify things to get involved with, and maybe even establish relationships with people on campus (staff and students alike).
It’s okay if you don’t know what to ask during your college search journey. Relationships matter, especially those with your admissions counselor and anyone currently at the university. If you find yourself confused and unsure of where to begin, talk to your admissions counselor and allow them to help guide you through the process.
You can connect or find your admissions counselor here.
Whether you're deciding to apply to OU or commit, our admission couselors are available to assist you and your family through your decision. Find your OU admissions counselor, or contact our office at admissions@ou.edu or 405-325-2151.
