Applying 101
As you begin to consider applying to the College of Arts and Sciences and The Ohio State University, you may have questions. Here's admission information to know.
Summer Before Senior Year
Narrow your college choices and work on essays
August 1
Applications open
September-October
Gather application materials
November 1
Early action deadline
End of January
Guaranteed deadline for Early action acceptance notifications
February 1
Final application deadline
February 1
FAFSA deadline
End of March
Deadline for regular application acceptance notifications
May 1
Acceptance fees due
June-August
Attend orientation
July
Receive Housing Assignment
August
Start of fall semester
For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Recruitment at discoverasc@osu.edu.
Bachelor’s Degree - The degree awarded at the completion of undergraduate study.
College of Arts and Sciences - The largest college at Ohio State, focusing on the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences and natural and mathematical sciences.
Double Major - A single degree with two majors leading to a single diploma with both majors noted on transcripts.
Dual Degree - Two degrees leading to the award of two diplomas with both degrees designated separately on transcripts.
Early Action - The deadline to apply for an early response.
FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid from the U.S. Department of Education.
Full-Time - Enrollment in at least 12 credit hours a semester.
General Education Requirements - Required courses designed to introduce students to core academic areas.
Grant - A sum of money given that does not need to be repaid.
Internship - An opportunity for students to work at a firm, business or agency for a fixed period of time with or without pay.
Major - Primary field of academic focus.
Minor - Secondary field of academic focus.
Placement Test - A series of tests used to gauge your ability level in English, math and foreign languages.
Semester - Half of the academic year (usually lasting 15-18 weeks).
Subsidized Loan - A loan in which the federal government pays interest during periods of deferment.
Undergraduate - A student enrolled at a university who has not yet received a bachelor’s degree.
Unsubsidized Loan - A loan in which interest accrues from the date the loan is issued.
Work-Study Program - Part time jobs funded by the federal government for students with financial need.
Frequently Asked Questions
First-year applicants to Ohio State must apply through the Common Application for admission to the Columbus campus. An application platform offered by nearly 900 colleges and universities worldwide, the Common Applications opens each year on August 1.
Visit undergrad.osu.edu for more information and instructions on how to complete and submit your application.
Ohio State must receive your complete application (the Common Application and all required materials) by midnight (EST) on November 1 if you wish to be considered for most university merit scholarships as well as the Morill Scholarship Program and Honors and Scholars programs.
By meeting the early action deadline, you will receive an admission decision no later than the end of January.
You will still be eligible to meet the February 1 Regular Decision Deadline for admission to Ohio State. However, you may no longer be eligible for Honors or Scholars programs and will be less likely to receive financial aid from the university.
By meeting the regular decision deadline, you will receive an admission decision by the end of March.
While not required, your high school counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common Application or through an electronic system such as Naviance.
If an electronic option isn't available, your counselor may email your letter(s) to esue-studugt@osu.edu. The letter must include your first and last name and OSU ID number, found on the email we send acknowledging receipt of your application. Letters sent via email are subject to sender verification.
No. It’s very common to be unsure of which major is right for you before starting classes. Use the College of Arts and Sciences Explore Tool to match your interests and strengths with our academic programs.
Yes! In fact, we encourage it. With careful planning, you can successfully double major in any two majors across the university. Be sure to talk with your advisor early in the process for assistance in getting started.
Yes! It is not uncommon for students to change their major, particularly during their freshman and sophomore years. Visit artsandsciences.osu.edu for more information on exploring our major programs and how you will declare your major.
Yes, very easily! In fact, some of our majors will require you to complete a minor as well.
Prospective students may apply to the Honors Program either before or after enrolling at Ohio State; interested students are encouraged to apply early in their enrollment. For Scholars Programs, interested students must apply when completing the Common Application for admission to Ohio State.
More information on Arts and Sciences Honors and Scholars Programs.
Ohio State makes every effort to make a world-class education both accessible and affordable. A variety of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, student loans and Federal Work-Study is available to help finance your education.
Visit undergrad.osu.edu for more information on the variety of financial aid available to you.
Your first step in finding out what financial aid you might be eligible for is to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is available on October 1 each year and filing by Ohio State’s priority date of February 1 will provide you with maximum aid consideration.
Visit undergrad.osu.edu for more information on financial aid, including how to complete and file FAFSA.
Ohio State is one of the largest public universities in the country, but it doesn’t have to feel that way! Our students find and build their community through student organizations, community service and engagement, recreational sports, campus events and employment, fraternities and sororities, religious and spiritual groups and more!
Visit activities.osu.edu for more information on building your community at Ohio State.
There is no such thing as a typical arts and sciences student. Our 17,000+ students represent a wide variety of backgrounds. The College of Arts and Sciences offers multiple community-building programs for students in their first year on campus.
Visiting campus is the best way to get to know (and love) us! We invite you to register for a campus tour or event via campusvisit.osu.edu. These programs offer an overview of admission, academic programs, and life on campus — often from the valuable perspective of current students.
Learn more
Here’s everything you need to know about applying to Ohio State, from understanding the acceptance process, to applying step-by-step, to what happens after you apply and are accepted.