ADMISSION
YOU'RE NOT JUST A NUMBER HERE
The Oglethorpe experience is personal, and so is our admission process. We evaluate every applicant individually and are here to help you through every step of the process. The better we know you, the better we can support you on your journey to joining our Stormy Petrel community! We hope you will reach out and connect with us by visiting campus and meeting with your admission counselor.
Admission is determined by a holistic review of your application, official transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, extracurricular involvement, personal statement and recommendations.
ARE YOU A PETREL?
You might be wondering… who is the typical Oglethorpe student? What will your classmates be like? Will you fit in here? At Oglethorpe, you can find and create community while being yourself.
Explore Campus
Nestled in the heart of the big city in a 100-acre wood, Oglethorpe University is in one of Metro Atlanta’s safest neighborhoods.
In addition to over 60 student groups and 16 NCAA Division III sports teams on campus, their are tons of shopping and dining options in walking distance to campus so you’ll have tons to enjoy and explore!
FINANCIAL AID
Oglethorpe is the only school in Georgia, public or private, to be named among the nation’s top 20 “best buy” schools in the latest Fiske Guide to Colleges. USA Today and The Wall Street Journal have called Oglethorpe a “Best Value,” ranking us #48 out of 1,223 nationwide best colleges for your money.
Frequently asked questions
The Office of Admission staff conducts a thorough and holistic review of every application. There is no number that will get you in, or keep you out of Oglethorpe, and we do not have absolute minimums for test scores or GPA.
Yes! Oglethorpe offers direct admission for Georgia residents applying as first-year students for Fall 2025. You must have a qualifying GPA and apply by December 1.
Upon submitting your application and all necessary materials, you will be automatically considered for a merit scholarship. In order to receive need-based financial aid, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The The 2025-2026 FAFSA will launch for some on October 1 and will be available nationwide on December 1, and our priority filing date is February 15. Oglethorpe University’s FAFSA code is 001586.
Students completing the Oglethorpe Application, available at apply.oglethorpe.edu/apply, will enjoy a free Early Action application if you apply before December 1. After December 1, please contact the Office of Admission if you are in need of a fee waiver.
Students completing the Common Application or the Coalition Application can request a fee waiver at any time if they meet the requisite criteria listed for these applications. Early Action applicants who do not meet the Common App or Coalition App fee waiver criteria can request reimbursement after submission.
Official transcripts are required for admission. Your high school counselor or dual enrollment college can send your transcript directly to Oglethorpe University through an electronic transcript service, or to [email protected]. If needed, transcripts can also be mailed or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope to the following address:
Office of Admission
Oglethorpe University
4484 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30319
Unofficial test score reports are accepted for admission purposes, but official reports are required before course registration. You can request an official score report to be sent to Oglethorpe directly from the testing organization’s website.
ACT code: 0850
Fully enclosed and closely monitored by 24/7 Campus Safety officers, Oglethorpe University is an extremely safe environment for students and visitors. The OU Campus Safety Department consists of 10 officers who protect and serve the campus community. Additionally, as of Fall 2024, we are partnering with P.S.I. Security Service, a private, Atlanta-based security firm, to assist with keeping our campus safe and secure. Officers perform rotating campus patrols and respond to security/safety concerns and campus needs to make OU a safe place to live and learn. Additionally, through RAVE OU Alerts, our emergency notification system, and our Student Safety Advisory Committee, Oglethorpe students, faculty and staff are kept abreast on safety and awareness issues.
While the Core Curriculum may be similar to other institutions’ general education classes in that both are required for graduation, Oglethorpe’s Core is unique in several fundamental ways. Unlike many general education classes, Core classes are taken throughout a student’s time at Oglethorpe, not only during the initial semesters. Accordingly, students are able to take major and minor classes during their first year on campus. Furthermore, Core classes are interdisciplinary and serve as a shared intellectual experience for the entire OU community, allowing students with varied personal and academic backgrounds to engage in critical dialogue.
