Bulletin - Admission - Traditional Undergraduate (TU) Admission

Typically, first-time freshman candidates are completing a secondary school program at the time of application. While an admission decision may be based only on coursework through the junior year, the admission office requires all enrolling freshmen to submit a final official transcript to show completion of academic work and official graduation.

Freshmen Transfers should follow the application requirements for Transfer students, but must also provide a final official transcript from their high school or GED program.

4.2.1.1. Deadlines

Oglethorpe offers three application plans for freshman candidates: Early Bird (July 31 deadline), Early Action (December 1 deadline), and Regular Decision (rolling admission).

Early Bird

The Early Bird Application is a specially offered type of application that opens in the summer and gives secondary school students the ability to get their admission decision earlier than many traditional application plans. This is specifically important for athletes and other students who may need to make their college decision early. It uses the exact same format and policies as the Early Action application below, but the essay requirement is waived.

Early Action

Secondary school students with a strong interest in attending Oglethorpe in the fall semester and who wish to receive consideration for full-tuition scholarships should apply under the early action plan. Candidates should complete the application and postmark all required credentials by November 1 of the senior year. Early action admission decisions are mailed on a rolling basis, typically within two weeks of completion of the application, unless the admission committee requires additional information. The early action plan is non-binding, and there is no obligation to make a college choice at the time of admission. The required enrollment deposit is refundable until May 1, provided that the student informs the University in writing of the decision not to enroll.

Regular Decision

Any freshman applicant for any semester may apply under the regular decision plan, which is rolling admission. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed, provided that sufficient time remains for processing and enrollment.

Secondary school students seeking to begin in the fall semester should apply in a timely manner during the senior year. The admission office sends notification of admission within two weeks of completion, unless the admission committee requires additional information. The required enrollment deposit is refundable until May 1, provided that the student informs the University in writing of the decision not to enroll.

4.2.1.2. Admission Consideration

The Oglethorpe freshman admission process is selective and based on individual consideration. Eligible candidates should demonstrate academic achievement in a secondary curriculum, including appropriate courses in English, social studies, mathematics and science. In addition to the quality of the secondary school program, Oglethorpe also considers credentials such as standardized test scores, the admission essay, letters of recommendation, involvement in the school and community and work experience. Achievement tests, portfolios or videos are not requested for admission, but will be considered if submitted. The admission office strongly recommends campus visits.

4.2.1.3. Application Requirements (Freshmen)

A completed freshman application includes submission of the application form, payment of the application fee, and the following:

Official secondary school transcript or official results of the GED examination.
Application essay or personal statement.

Applicants also have the opportunity to submit the optional items below. All submitted items will be considered holistically as a part of a student’s application:

Official ACT or SAT scores
- Oglethorpe considers the strongest score(s) from either test in the admission decision.
- For the SAT, Oglethorpe considers the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math subscores (regardless of test date) and combines the two highest subscores to get the highest possible total score.
- For the ACT, Oglethorpe considers the highest individual subject area tests (English, Math, Reading and Science—regardless of test date) and combines the four highest subject area scores to get the highest possible total score.
- Oglethorpe considers any official scores that appear on the official secondary school transcript, or on a score report forwarded directly to Oglethorpe from the testing agency.
Evaluative interview with a member of the Admission staff
Personal video submission
- Video submissions are to be 1-2 minutes and should address the qualities, characteristics, experiences, perspectives, or interests an applicant will bring to the Oglethorpe community.
Letters of recommendation, typically from a teacher or counselor who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability.

4.2.1.4. Enrollment Policies

Admitted freshman students must secure their place in the class by submitting an enrollment deposit by the deadline indicated by the Office of Admission. Entering freshman students must submit an official final transcript from the secondary school and, if applicable, from all colleges and universities. All freshman students must complete the online housing application or the housing exemption form as soon as possible after the housing application is released. For more details about campus residency requirements or to complete an online housing form, please visit https://oglethorpe.edu/life/housing-and-dining/housing/.

All entering students must fulfill the requirements of our immunization policy (see Sec. 6.5.). Instructions are available at https://oglethorpe.edu/life/support/wellness/health-services/immunization-and-insurance-requirements/.

4.2.1.5. Home School

Home schooled applicants are individuals who complete secondary-school requirements in a home school, either through an accredited diploma-granting institution that supplies an official home school transcript, or through a non-accredited home study program.

Home schooled candidates should follow all application requirements for freshman candidates, plus the following additional credentials:

With a home school transcript from an accredited program:

Letter of recommendation from a third party other than a family member, such as a tutor, mentor, or clergy member.

In the absence of an official home school transcript:

Portfolio recording all secondary work completed, including courses studied, textbooks, assignments and extracurricular achievements.
Letter of recommendation from a third party other than a family member, such as a tutor, mentor or clergy member.
Official ACT or SAT scores.
Personal interview with the student’s admission counselor is recommended.

4.2.2 - Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants are individuals who have previously attended a regionally accredited college or university and earned a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of college credit, after completing secondary school or the GED.

Students who have earned fewer than 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours after completing secondary school or the GED, are considered freshman applicants and should refer to Sec. 4.2.1. of this Bulletin. Dual and Joint-Enrollment credits are not included in the minimum credit requirement.

4.2.2.1. Deadlines

For all start semesters, transfer applications are considered on a rolling admission basis. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed, provided that sufficient time remains for processing and enrollment.

4.2.2.2. Admission Consideration

The transfer admission process is selective and based on individual consideration. Eligible candidates must have earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of college credit. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Vice President of Enrollment Management or the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Candidates must be in academic good standing at the present or most recent institution. Transfer applicants on warning, probation or exclusion from another institution will not be considered for admission.

4.2.2.3. Application Requirements (Transfers)

A completed transfer application includes submission of the application form, payment of the application fee, and the following:

Official transcript from each and every college or university attended.
Application essay of at least 250 words (word processed).

Applicants also have the opportunity to submit the optional items below. All submitted items will be considered holistically as a part of a student’s application:

Official ACT or SAT scores
- Oglethorpe considers the strongest score(s) from either test in the admission decision.
- For the SAT, Oglethorpe considers the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math subscores (regardless of test date) and combines the two highest subscores to get the highest possible total score.
- For the ACT, Oglethorpe considers the highest individual subject area tests (English, Math, Reading and Science—regardless of test date) and combines the four highest subject area scores to get the highest possible total score.
- Oglethorpe considers any official scores that appear on the official secondary school transcript, or on a score report forwarded directly to Oglethorpe from the testing agency.
Personal video submission
- Video submissions are to be 1-2 minutes and should address the qualities, characteristics, experiences, perspectives, or interests an applicant will bring to the Oglethorpe community.
Letters of recommendation from a teacher or counselor who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability.

4.2.2.4. Enrollment Policies

Admitted transfer students must secure their place in the class by submitting an enrollment deposit by the deadline indicated by the Office of Admission. Entering transfer students must submit an official final transcript from all colleges and universities. Entering transfer students must submit an official final transcript from all colleges and universities. All transfer students must complete the online housing application or the housing exemption form as soon as possible after the housing application is released. For more details about campus residency requirements or to complete an online housing form, please visit https://oglethorpe.edu/life/housing-and-dining/housing.

4.2.3 - Articulation Agreements (Freshmen and Transfer Applicants)

Oglethorpe offers the opportunity to transfer work through collaborative efforts with other institutions by way of articulation agreements. Formal agreements have been made with the following secondary schools, colleges, universities, and organizations:

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts (Hot Springs, AR)
Georgia Military College (Milledgeville, GA)
Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (Natchitoches, LA)
Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus, MS)
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham, NC)
Technical College System of Georgia (various locations around the state of Georgia)

4.2.4 - International Students (Freshman and Transfer Applicants)

International applicants are individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International applicants may be either first-time freshmen or transfer students within the TU program.

4.2.4.1. Deadlines

International applicants seeking freshman admission may choose to apply under the Early Bird plan, the Early Action plan (November 1 deadline) or the Regular Decision plan. For more details about each plan, please refer to Sec. 4.2.1.1.

International applicants seeking transfer admission are considered on a rolling admission basis. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed, provided that sufficient time remains for processing and enrollment.

All international students must apply by June 1 for the Fall semester, and December 1 for the Spring semester.

4.2.4.2. Admission Consideration

International applicants who are able to provide evidence of suitable academic background and adequate financial resources are encouraged to apply. Admission to Oglethorpe is open to qualified students of all nationalities.

Eligible freshman candidates should demonstrate academic achievement in a secondary curriculum, and transfer candidates should demonstrate academic achievement in college or university coursework. Candidates should also show proof of English language proficiency as outlined in Sec. 4.2.4.5. The admission office encourages international students to arrange telephone or online interviews.

4.2.4.3. Application Requirements

A completed international application includes submission of the application form, payment of the application fee, and the following:

Official, original versions of secondary school, college, or university documents, certificates, or diplomas.
Transcript evaluation, for all non-U.S. transcripts and records.
- Evaluations must include an English translation, a “course-by-course” evaluation, semester credit hours, grades and detailed course descriptions, and must be sent directly to Oglethorpe.
- Oglethorpe recommends the use of a firm such as Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. (jsilny.com or +1 305 273 1616)
Application essay of at least 250 words (typed, in English).
A completed financial statement of support, and a document on bank letterhead that certifies available funds.

The materials above typically are required before an admission decision can be made. In addition, Oglethorpe strongly recommends that all international applicants prepare the following credentials as part of the application process, as they are important in subsequent steps toward enrollment:

Passport photocopy
International Student Financial Aid Application, available from the financial aid office.

4.2.4.4. Enrollment Policies

Admitted international students must secure their place in the class by submitting an enrollment deposit no later than May 1 (if the student will enroll in the fall semester) or January 1 (if the student will enroll in the spring semester). Entering international students must submit an official final transcript from the secondary school and, if applicable, from all colleges and universities. All international students must complete the online housing application or the housing exemption form as soon as possible after the housing application is released. For more details about campus residency requirements or to complete an online housing form, please visit https://oglethorpe.edu/life/housing-and-dining/housing.

International students should be mindful of the additional steps needed to secure a visa before attending Oglethorpe. Admitted international students should make an enrollment decision in a timely fashion, allowing ample time for visa issuance at their local U.S. embassy.

4.2.5 - English Proficiency

Before selecting an international applicant for admission, the admission committee verifies that the applicant shows proficiency in English, in order to fully participate in Oglethorpe courses by speaking, listening, reading and writing.

All international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting one of the following:

If English is not the first language:

Official transcript from an ELS, Inc., language center.
- Must indicate completion of level 112.
Official scores from an ESL test.
- Must indicate completion of level 7.
Official scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
- Minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based test.
- Minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test.
- Minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test.
- Oglethorpe’s college code for the TOEFL is 5521.
Official scores from the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test.
- Minimum score of 6.5.
Official scores from the Pearson Test of English.
- Minimum score of 60
Official scores from the Versant Test.
- Minimum score of 64+
Official scores from iTEP Academic Test.
- Minimum score of 3.9-4.0
Official scores from Duolingo Language Exam
- Minimum score of 105-115
Official scores from the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).
- Minimum score of 550 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
- Oglethorpe’s college code for the SAT is 5521.
Official transcript from a regionally accredited United States college or university.
- Minimum combined cumulative grade-point average of 2.3 with no grade below a “C” in two English composition courses.

If English is the first language:

Official scores from the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).
- Minimum score of 550 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
- Oglethorpe’s college code for the SAT is 5521.
Official scores from the ACT.
- Minimum composite score of 21.
- Oglethorpe’s college code for the ACT is 0850.
Official copy of approved regional examinations (for example, “A” or “O” level examinations).

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