oregon state application essay questions

Oregon State University | OSU

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Oregon State University | OSU?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Oregon State University | OSU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Writing Center

• Staff Directory
• Mission and Outcomes
• Annual Reports
• Studio (URWS)
• Online Writing Support (OWS)

Tools for Writers

• Faculty Resources

You are here

• Application Materials

This section of tools provides writers with some information and support in writing and revising materials such as application essays for graduate school, cover letters, resumes and CVs, scholarship essays, and more. 

  Starting a Personal Statement

  organizing a personal statement,   tailoring a resume.

• Writing Process
• Revision & Editing
• Sources & Citations

Contact the Writing Center

Email us: [email protected] .

Contact Info

Writing Center 121 The Valley Library Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 541-737-5640 [email protected]

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Oregon State University Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Check out our 2021-2022 OSU essay guide .

Oregon State University is a public research institution located in the bucolic city of Corvallis, Oregon, in the midst of mountains, rivers, and forested streets. Like the beaver on OSU’s crest, OSU students prioritize hands-on solutions and learning: OSU receives more research funding than any other university in Oregon, and is esteemed for its top programs in forestry, oceanography, and robotics. OSU is also home to the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and the Oregon Forest Research Laboratory. 

Oregon State University has 77% acceptance rate. The middle 50% ACT range is 22-28, as of 2019. Applicants can apply via the Common Application or an OSU-specific portal. OSU requires applicants Honors College applicants submit six supplemental essays in addition to their application. 

So get ready to sink your beaver teeth into the quick of these supplemental essays! In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to tackle each and every one of Oregon State’s supplements so that your Honors application will shine!

Want to know your chances at Oregon State? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what Oregon State will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering Oregon State needs to know.

Required for Applicants to the Honors College

Prompt 1: “I try to show what it is about language and music that enthralls, because I think those are the two elements of poetry.” – Rita Dove

Drawing insights from the connection of multiple subjects or perspectives is the basis of interdisciplinary thinking, a central part of the Honors College curriculum. In the quote above, the poet Rita Dove observes that poetry gets its particular power from the combination of language and music. Choose something that is important to you, identify two of its components, characteristics, features, or attributes, and write an essay in which you examine how the two parts work together to make an outcome that is uniquely meaningful or important.

Be creative with this! “Something” can be anything – you can choose an academic subject, concept, activity, or a passion of yours. Successful responses will offer a unique and specific perspective that will stand out among the many essays the admissions committee will review (450-500 words)

Prompt 2: List any college credits you have completed. Include grades if applicable. (800 words)

Prompt 3: Knowledge in a field/creativity: Describe any special interests and how you have developed knowledge in these areas. Give examples of your creativity- the ability to see alternatives; take diverse perspectives; come up with many, varied, or original ideas; or willingness to try new things. (100 words)

Prompt 4: Dealing with adversity: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge. Include whether you turned to anyone in facing the challenge, the role the person played, and what you learned about yourself. (100 words)

Prompt 5: Handling systemic challenges: OSU remains committed to creating an inclusive environment and dismantling systems that perpetuate discrimination at various levels. How, specifically, will you contribute to furthering this commitment? (100 words)

Prompt 6: Goals/task commitment: Articulate the goals you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish these. Give at least one specific example that demonstrates your work ethic/diligence. (100 words)

Honors College, Prompt 1

“I try to show what it is about language and music that enthralls, because I think those are the two elements of poetry.” – Rita Dove

As specifically stated at the end of the prompt, this essay is not a personal narrative: it is a response to the question of “interdisciplinary thinking,” so your focus should be on your subject matter. 

Who was Rita Dove? Dove is a world-renowned poet and former Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. OSU commended her with the Stone Award for literary achievement in 2016. Let’s look at her quote one more time: “I try to show what it is about language and music that enthralls, because I think those are the two elements of poetry .”

Here, Dove chose to explore the art of poetry, her personal specialty and passion, through two other disciplines: language and music. Thus, we arrive at your task: to write an essay about “something” and identify two of its components. The equation is A + B = C, but the ingredients should be surprising. OSU is essentially asking you to come up with your own version of “How is a raven like a writing desk?” The more random and incompatible you make the components A and B, the more likely you are to have a striking and memorable solution (C).

A successful essay will:

• Identify and present your “something” in a nuanced and intricate way.
• Dissect the nuances of two of its components, showing their interdisciplinary nature and how they contribute holistically to the “something.”
• Reveal an outcome that is “uniquely meaningful and important.”

Let’s begin!

1. Identify and present your “something” in a nuanced and intricate way 

Dove is a master of her craft. But this fact should not intimidate you – it should inspire! Dove is a master of poetry; what are you a master of? If an idea is not immediately coming to mind, don’t fret. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What odd thing could I talk extensively about?

Your expertise should be unique. This can be anything from multivariable calculus to crocheting. Start drafting a list of anything that comes to mind. Can you make the best chocolate chip cookies you have ever had? Solve a Rubix Cube in under a minute? Are you a photojournalist?

• What unique talents do I have?

The key word is Some fascinating essays come from the smallest, most unique parts of ourselves. Are you a gymnast?  Are you a physics whiz? Dig deep!

Once you have asked yourself those questions, narrow your list down until you choose the most memorable and unique expertise. That should be your “something.”

Now, you have to present it in an engaging way. Because the prompt specifically explicates to stay away from personal stories, you might want to not start with an anecdote. Ways to possibly start the essay include: a brief history of your interest in the subject; a problem that you have faced with this expertise; your favorite thing about your “something,” etc. Here’s an example:

I struggle to understand things I cannot see—the insolubility of immunoglobulins below a certain temperature, the tiny movements of electrons, the division of a cell. Although I’m a lifetime science enthusiast, it’s hard for me to visualize things that happen at a sub-microscopic level. In 9th grade, I lost my intellectual curiosity for science, because I was exhausted from rote memorization and opaque concepts. I missed my childhood experiments with magnetism, combustion, and projectiles. 

This all changed when I began to study physics.

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with energy, temperature, heat and work. I was asked to calculate the coefficient of friction on a car tire—something I had seen and could understand. I could picture an apple falling from a building and could calculate the trajectory of a thrown football. 

Here, we describe the “C” of the equation. What is this essay going to be about? Physics. You draw the reader in with a hook (“I struggle to understand things I cannot see….”). You can create a sense of conflict (no longer curious about science as you once were). Finally, you should create a setup for your “A” and “B” components. 

2. Dissect two of its components, showing their interdisciplinarity and how they contribute holistically to the “something”

Now that you have identified your “something,” you need to break it down into two distinct and unique parts. These parts should be specific, and, ideally, unexpected. Think back to Dove’s A + B = C quote: while “language” (A) seems like a logical component of “poetry” (C) Dove’s inclusion of “music” (B) is a bit more unexpected.

For example, given the physics example from above, you might use the formula A + B = C in the following manner. 

A = Mathematics. This is somewhat expected for physics. Perhaps you are fascinated by the reliability of formulas, or the satisfaction of getting the correct answer. The mathematical concepts reveal larger universal truths, and represent monumental discoveries. 

B= Imagination. This is the more unexpected component. Thermodynamics involves intense visualization. You can picture a car skidding around a banked curve. You can see the spiral of the football’s projectile. Thermodynamics involves drawing and directional force, which takes an intense imagination. 

C= Thermodynamics or Physics. 

This is just one example. Talking about swimming? Maybe that’s the perfect combination of physics and discipline. Talking about baking? Maybe that’s the perfect combination of science and improvisation. Even academic subjects should have two different, distinct parts. Mathematics? Structure and art. Ecology? Curiosity and kindness.

You should ensure that you have distinct points for each discipline. They should be different enough that there is zero, or little, overlap between them. Try to choose something that is not obvious—that provokes conversation and makes you a memorable applicant.

Here’s another example:

Daunted with the possibility of a white canvas, I know I can always rely on two ideas when I am stuck. Optical art, after all, is an amalgamation of mathematics and innovation.

When I was younger, I was fascinated by the geometry and mathematical concepts that occur naturally within nature. I would study the hexagonal outline of honeycombs, the concentric spread of tree rings, and the triangularity of palm leaves. When I am stuck—unable to choose what direction to take a work of art— I consider first, the shapes. What lines am I using? I look for parallelism and lines, scanning my piece for right angles or swirling parabolas. How is shape contributing to this piece?

But true art requires not just maths, but innovation. When I begin a work of art,, I am reminded of T.S. Eliot’s famous line from “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock:” “Do I dare disturb the universe?” As an artist, I must not just copy the universe – I must disturb it. I plan out my piece of art on several pieces of paper beforehand, trying to find the most innovative ways to communicate—whether that is through perspective, color, composition, or medium. I study the work of artists like Manami Sasaki, who creates stunning work out of toast. I am always looking to push the envelope and to expand boundaries.

Here, we have relied on the trustworthy A + B = C formula presented in the prompt. We start with an engaging hook to introduce “C”– a visual of a white canvas to represent art. Then, we present the two ideas: innovation (A: somewhat expected) and mathematics (B: somewhat unexpected). 

3. Reveal an outcome that is “uniquely meaningful and important”

Finally, what does your something accomplish? A great college essay will always “zoom out” to consider a larger societal picture, bigger problems, or how one’s subject is important for the world at large. For Dove, poems have motivated some of the greatest thinkers, have started revolutions, and have inspired creativity. What does your “something” (C) accomplish on a wider scale? Take care to also mention how each of its A + B components contribute to that.

For example, take an applicant who’s combining history (A) with communication (B) to get her result – baking (C). She can talk about how baking enables intergenerational encouragement to everyone, no matter their background. For example: 

 In the kitchen, I’m often greeted with a condescending smile or pat on the shoulder. “That is so cute that you bake cookies!” they’ll say, unknowingly.

“This cookie is a piece of history that you will never understand,” I want to tell them. I think of my great grandmother, painstakingly writing out her recipe on an index card with immaculate cursive. I think of the generations of women who have traced her spindly handwriting, eager to follow the next step. I think of my mother and her mother, and my grandmother and her mother—of the sheer power and strength of the women in my family.

“This cookie is my own,” I want to tell them. I want to tell them of the alterations I have made over the years, the trials of shortening the baking time, the addition of caramel, the introduction of sea salt and pretzel.

But I don’t tell them either of these things. I watch as they take their first bite. Their furrowed brow relaxes. Their posture shifts: closed to open. And a smile begins to creep across their face, perhaps the first one in a while. I am reminded of the picture book, The Gardener, I used to read with my mother in bed when I am younger, about the Great Depression.

“A cake is worth a thousand smiles.”

A cookie may seem like a small achievement, but it carries a huge cultural story. Generations of watching others smile. Generations of following and breaking (baking) rules, and not getting caught. Small success? Well. maybe. But in my opinion, the smallest victories always taste the sweetest.

Concluding with an outcome that is “uniquely meaningful and important” can be difficult–as you run the risk of sounding trite or cliche. Here, we reintegrate A and B to prove our thesis. Baking is an act of historicization, that is often unseeable or unnoticed. Baking is also a testament to trial and error. While both of these things are personally important, the real positive outcome is the joy it sparks in other people, however small.  

Honors College, Prompt 2

List any college credits you have completed. include grades if applicable. (800 words).

While a standard question, this essay has a surprisingly large word limit. If you have taken college credits, this is an opportunity to share more about the course(s), give a brief description, and address any successes or areas for growth.

Because you have so many words to work with, it’s advisable to share a narrative perspective of how you engaged with this college class – which is a huge undertaking. Fully flesh out what your experience was like, and how it influenced you as a scholar.

“This year, I was invited to take Introduction to Physics at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs. The class was a quantitative study of the basic facts and principles of physics with a particular emphasis on electromagnetic phenomena, including electromagnetic radiation and waves and electric circuits.”

Articulate why you sought out the college course, opposed to any comparable high school courses. This can involve any future goals you wanted to achieve, or how you wanted to get ahead on a college major. 

“There were some fundamental differences in the curriculum between my high school and the university. The course at UConn, for example, had a laboratory component, which offered me more fundamental training in a research setting and the scientific method. Electromagnetics, furthermore, has been an enduring interest of mine, and I wanted to spend a few months on it, rather than the few weeks we would have taken in AP Physics.” 

As the prompt asks about grades, feel free to talk about any challenges you faced. A lower grade in a college course isn’t anything to be ashamed of, and it may allow you to discuss how you dealt with a steep learning curve. 

“Mathematically, I was behind all the other students in the class. While I understood the physics concepts, I often had not learned the math to help prove them. This was my biggest challenge in the class and was, quite frankly, a very steep learning curve. The first few tests, I floundered; however, I met with the Calculus teacher at my high school and received extra help in the morning. I raised my grade drastically, and am on track for my second semester.

As my transcript reflects, this course was my lowest grade. As a perfectionist, I found earning a “B –” in this class extremely frustrating. But now, I am thankful for the opportunity this class has provided. While I do not want to study physics at university, I am proud that I allowed myself to be challenged. The skills of perseverance and the ability to ask for help academically are well worth the small inconsistency on my transcript.”

This is a good response because it: 

1. Concisely presents the course and its curriculum. What was the class and what did it cover? 

2. Explicates your interest in seeking a college-level education. What was your reasoning for taking this course? Did it follow a specific interest of yours? Provide a significantly larger challenge academically? 

3. Elucidates Your Challenges. How was your academic performance in this class? What were some major challenges that you faced? This section can address your grade. It is important to not make excuses for yourself, only to present the obstacles you faced. 

4. Concludes with Your Successes. What is your major takeaway from this course? Was it the material? Did it serve as a testament to your ability to persevere? Did you make a good connection with the professor? End on a high note! 

Honors College, Prompt 3

Knowledge in a field/creativity: describe any special interests and how you have developed knowledge in these areas. give examples of your creativity- the ability to see alternatives; take diverse perspectives; come up with many, varied, or original ideas; or willingness to try new things. (100 words).

Like the first question, this one is asking you to choose a creative “something.” So try not to repeat the subject you discussed in the Rita Dove prompt . Or, if you do, pick a niche or subset of the larger subject: “mystery fiction” as a subset of “writing,” for example.

The second part of the prompt is wordy; break it down . As a sentence, it bombards you with a lot of phrases: “the ability to see alternatives; take diverse perspectives; come up with many, varied, or original ideas; or willingness to try new things.” But if we look closely to related words like “alternative,” “varied,” “original,” “new,” etc, we can break it down to one necessary element: a time you thought outside the box. 

Be brief and vivid. Because the word allowance is only one hundred words, use a quick hook (a striking anecdote, a question, even a word or sentence fragment, etc.) to encapsulate your creativity in your field.

“I love music the same way I love science: there is structure, but there is also improvisation. Jazz is freedom: at the piano, I deviate, explore within the key, but try out new melodies. When I finish, my neighbor claps. He is an accomplished classical musician and can play any sheet music.

We both want what we don’t have. He tells me he wishes he could improvise, and I tell him I practice daily, but don’t have close to the technique he does. We’ll never be content, we joke, but maybe we don’t need to. Music is like a boundless world: we can map whole regions, but there’s always more.”

This response is successful because it quickly introduces your field of creativity, in this case, music. It presents a developed knowledge (improvisation) and an opportunity to take a diverse perspective and try new things (a more classical approach to music) and explains your insatiable quest of the acquisition of knowledge and mastery over a topic! All within one hundred words!  

Honors College, Prompt 4

Dealing with adversity: describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge. include whether you turned to anyone in facing the challenge, the role the person played, and what you learned about yourself. (100 words).

Hint: this is about an event, but also about your core identity, culture, or values. You should use this space as an opportunity to explain aspects of your personal background that would not otherwise be readily apparent in your application. This could range from any academic performance difficulties to financial hardship your family is experiencing. Maybe you suffered from a concussion in your sophomore year, and your grades dropped because you had trouble focusing. Maybe you couldn’t participate in as many extracurriculars because your parents both worked, and you had to take care of your younger siblings. Or, maybe, your dyslexia is a major impediment in your learning.  

Make sure the problem is significant : while there is no right answer to the prompt, avoid superficial topics such as getting a C on a single test or bickering with your sibling. Writing about minor setbacks will make it seem like you haven’t thought hard enough about your autobiography.

But the problem is only half the essay : whatever you choose to write about, demonstrate your ability to persevere and overcome something. Consider writing about: 

• How your perspective changed
• How your values changed
• Something you had to compromise about
• Strategies you used
• A goal you set
• A belief you gave up 
• A fear you conquered

You have only 100 words: be brief! Avoid long, complicated anecdotes or metaphors, and explain yourself quickly.

Nod towards the future. Conclude by summarizing how your way of looking at the world is different, and what you plan to do with that knowledge. Mention any problems, either with yourself, your circles, or society, that you’ve been inspired to deal with. 

For example: 

“Whenever a teacher asks me to read aloud in class, I experience a feeling I can’t define. It straddles embarrassment and fear, frustration and anger. 

I have struggled with dyslexia my whole life. 

After years of specialists, I began to love reading, but only under certain conditions: privately and slowly. In class, I drag my finger along the words and try to remain calm. 

At first, I was frantic to “fix” myself, but I’m learning to accept that I read differently from others. Dyslexia will always be the albatross around my neck, and yet, I choose to keep climbing. I find the feeling of success is greater than the temporary embarrassment of inverting sentences or mispronouncing words. I’m not ashamed of dyslexia, because I want to show others that they shouldn’t be, either.”

This example is a good start, because it pinpoints a problem, highlights a personal shortcoming, and gestures to how the narrator solves her own problems and a larger, societal problem. 

It’s also fantastic in that it starts with a jolt of emotion and includes concrete details (“I drag my finger along the words”). And in an essay about reading, the Coleridge allusion doesn’t hurt, either. 

Honors College, Prompt 5

Handling systemic challenges: osu remains committed to creating an inclusive environment and dismantling systems that perpetuate discrimination at various levels. how, specifically, will you contribute to furthering this commitment  (100 words).

Your answer should be verb- and action- based. Here, OSU shares their ethos, but also their actions. Oregon State University is “inclusive” – but keep in mind that while “inclusive” is technically an adjective, it’s actually a disguised verb: “include.” Same with “dismantle oppressive systems” – that’s a verb. And the operative word of the question – “how?” – is another word that’s fundamentally concerned with verbs. At the forefront of your mind, remember: the question is not “What do you believe?” but “What will you do?” It may be a good idea to brainstorm a list of verbs. If you like certain OSU programs (nouns), what verbs to those programs perform.

Touch briefly on your motivation. This could be through a cultural backstory or “identity,” which can give you a sense of the actions you want to perform. For instance, someone who has experienced discrimination or ostracization might have a clearer view of what policies, laws, or initiatives are needed to address the problem. Note that “identity” isn’t a concrete list of topics OSU wants you to pick from: don’t feel like you have to come at this through the traditional descriptors of race, color, class, gender, creed, and sexuality. You may not feel qualified to, and you may not want to. Instead, you could talk about other “identities”: a misunderstood hobby; regional origins; speech patterns or dialect; types of learners; access to computers and resources; clothing and appearance; lifestyles and cultural differences; housing; age; intra-group conflict; etc. 

Instead of “identity,” you might choose a values lens instead. How have your values shaped who you are? How do your values dovetail with OSU’s values of acceptance, diversity, and inclusion?

Remember to relate it back to OSU. They actually hide the most important part of the prompt towards the beginning, and that’s OSU’s environment. Although your inspiration for combating oppression might come from a distant place, like your parents’ time living in the USSR, you should angle your focus back to what you want to do (verb!) on campus. 

Here’s an example: 

“Growing up, my seven-person family lived in a two-bedroom apartment. I wore secondhand, dated clothes, which drew ridicule from my classmates. When I came home crying, my mother would play the song “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton—a ballad which teaches us that being rich with love is the only thing that matters. 

Dolly made me feel better, but I wish her kindness towards those with financial problems could have been practiced culturally and publicly – not just in the privacy of our home. And because finances is such a pressing topic in college, I want to do my part to make its discussion less taboo. My current priorities include volunteering as a tutor for students in need and pressing health centers to address socioeconomic obstacles to services. As an aspiring engineer, I would also love to join OSU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders, to apply my skills at design towards needed projects in disadvantaged regions.” 

One hundred words seems like very little; however, you are able to pack in a lot of details! This essay “works” because it presents a quick anecdote about how this goal is personal to you (in this case, a personal experience with poverty) and your goals to make this interest actionable at OSU (Engineers Without Borders, volunteering, etc.).

Honors College, Prompt 6

Goals/task commitment: articulate the goals you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish these. give at least one specific example that demonstrates your work ethic/diligence. (100 words).

For this question, it’s best to begin with a clear list of 1-2 general goals, and then move into specific actions towards them. Don’t think small: a general goal might be a broad characteristic you want to acquire (“cosmopolitan,” “organized,” “financially stable”). By having such a large goal, you’ll 1) be able to think of contributing actions and projects more easily, and 2) show OSU your priorities on a macro level. Big goals and life aspirations aren’t bounded by time: for example, my “Italian 102 class” might be over, but my desire to “reconnect with my family’s roots in Palermo” is a lifelong quest that will continue to bear fruit. 

Remember the limit. Because you only have one hundred words, forego flowery language and anecdotes, although you should still put some interesting detail into your chosen example (“that demonstrates your work ethic”). 

Brainstorm examples of “work ethic.” This could mean a lot of things. Food for thought:

• A project that took an exceptionally long time
• A project for which you hunted down elusive information
• A subject that pushed you out of your comfort zone
• A journey with multiple long steps
• A time you stayed up late, or got up early
• A time you were on the cusp of giving up
• A risk you took
• An instance where you were tempted to cut corners or cheat
• A time you paid attention to the smallest detail
• A time others told you your product was “good enough,” but you kept perfecting it
• Something that required an investment of effort, money, or resources
• A task that put you through boredom, tedium, or pain

OSU wants to hear that you’re willing to engage in the parts of your interest that don’t involve “fun,” “passion,” or “inspiration.”

In praxis, your essay might look something like this, or follow a similar structure:

“My goals have always been simple: to do my personal best, treat others kindly, and foster a welcoming community. While all of these can intersect, I have found myself emphasizing “community,” especially in my final year of high school. After four years on the Student Council, I noticed a massive inequity between the lowerclassmen and the upperclassme n. Freshman and sophomores were often scared to speak at meetings, and sometimes, offered no contributions to the discussion. Inspired by my brother, who attends OSU, I brought in a copy of routine Guidelines for Dialogue: assume best intentions, don’t interrupt, and acknowledge impact versus intent. For two weeks, I kept data on how often members spoke, which proved the disparity. I presented it to the Council, and I offered a 3-Step Plan to make all voices heard. It was a success, and our community became more welcoming. I should know: I kept logging the data.”

This is an effective answer, because it presents a broad goal (“community”) at the outset – and also in the conclusion. The narrator discusses a concrete strategy that demonstrates “work ethic” – in this case, going above and beyond to generate persuasive data. Even without the bonus points for having an OSU brother, this essay would mark the applicant as someone who walks the walk when it comes to goals.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Make Your Admission Essay Memorable

• Post author By Ahmed Mohamed
• Post date November 2, 2023

Most learning institutions analyze high school grades, ACT and SAT scores, and extracurricular activities when assessing student’s admission credentials. However, recent admission committees are adopting the ‘test-blind’ to add more weight to the application process.

What does this mean for applicants? It means you must dig deeper into your writing skills to bring out an authentic and well-thought-out essay.  

The admission committee sorts through thousands of applications. Hence, standing out from the rest and leaving an impression takes effort. There’s much more to reveal to the admission committee than your test scores.

This post underlines the importance of crafting a stellar admission essay that evokes emotions for your audience.

What Is Important?

Part of your college application process involves delivering an essay that describes your persona. It is an opportunity for any applicant to showcase a different side to themselves far from their GPAs and test scores.

It gives the admission committee a glimpse into the applicant’s aspirations, objectives, and goals. An applicant must showcase their fortitude towards undertaking the applied course for study.

The content depends on the question posed by the admission committee. Most prompts involve divulging information about one’s past experiences. What drives you? What do you hope to achieve? Why choose this specific school?

These are some important questions an applicant must answer to the admission committee. Also, the admission committee likes it when applicants actively participate in the community. Remember to mention your work at the children’s home or community shelter for bonus points.

Professional Strategies to Employ

The high level of competition for application spots at the institution makes the writing process nervy. Here are professional tips from experts to carve a name for yourself with the admission committee:

1. Authenticity

Generic responses often bore the admission committee. They need something new and exciting that reflects their true self. Inauthenticity could be using overly flowery language with fluff that irritates your audience.

Choose an interesting subject about your life and naturally bring out experiences and how they shaped your current self. Ensure to highlight pan points that showcase your strengths and be vulnerable to note your weaknesses.

2. Attention-Grabbing Statements

The admission committee is probably accustomed to reading similar essays from other applicants. Take time to grab their attention within the first few sentences. Start with a bold statement or a quote that invokes curiosity.

Start with a clear and precise thesis statement that guides the rest of the essay. For storytelling purposes, start with an intro that naturally flows with the main agenda behind the writing.

Stay calm while trying to grab the attention. Could you keep it simple but unique? A good and solid introductory part will entice the reader to finish the rest of the document.

3. Be Unique

Imagine a thousand applicants thinking similarly about how to approach this essay. It means a thousand applications with similarities. It means your chances of acceptance get lower than expected.

Rather, try a unique approach to answering prompts. Adopt a new perspective on how to view the assignment on hand. Most applicants will choose to glorify their past life experiences and how they molded them. What about speaking about your losses and how they changed you?

The element of surprise is a rare talent most writers don’t possess. You can buy research papers online to find unique ways top writers like J.K Rowling, Leo Tolstoy, and Neil Gaiman brought out the element of surprise when reading a piece.

4. Avoid Common Themes and Topics

Over the years, most applicants have eaten into similar topics to get into the good books of the admission committee. Some exhausted topics and themes overly used include sports, immigration, obstacles/success, and volunteer stories.

It’s about more than avoiding these themes while writing completely. Moreover, it’s about avoiding the same trajectory used in these themes to drive home the message.

For example, facing life challenges such as poverty at a young age and growing up intending to change the scenario seems a sad topic. However, it’s a rerun strategy most applicants employ many times.  

5. Keep the Reader in Mind

Often, we get so engrossed with our writing that we need to remember our intended audience. Picture an admission board seated on a panel sorting through thousands of applications with tight deadlines. Picture the pressure they face turning down prospective applicants based on their writing.

It gives you an in-depth look at the intense vetting process the board goes through. Hence, make it easy for the board by ticking all the expected boxes within the application. Answer the prompt correctly, and edit for any grammatical or spelling errors.

Literary Devices to Add to Your Document

One new technique to freshen up your document is the addition of literary devices. Literary devices attract your readers and catch their attention. Here are some popular literary devices to include in your essay:

1. Symbolism

Symbolism is the usage of abstract concepts or objects to represent ideas. Adopt symbolism in your essay to represent the essay’s main theme. These symbols help in conveying your main message to your readers.

2. Flashback

Flashbacks are essential in transporting your reader from the present mode to past events. It helps the admission committee better understand yourself and your current personality. It helps them gauge your personal goals, motives, and objectives.

3. Dialogue

Incorporating dialogue into your essay creates a sense of suspense while transporting your main message within the essay. Adopt the technique strategically and avoid coming off redundant. Make it precise and ensure it fits the context within the application process.

Quotes are essential to catch your readers’ attention, especially during the introductory sentences. Use famous quotes from important people in your life. It can be idols, family, or friends. Make it powerful, original, and blend with the context of the document. However, avoid going overboard with overquoting.

Key Giveaway

The fear of failure often limits our creativity. Therefore, don’t think about the possible outcomes after sending your application. Countercheck each parameter and ensure you put your best foot forward. Other opportunities are available, which should encourage you to try again. 

Scholarship Office

• ScholarDollars
• Future Students
• USP Scholarship Renewal Requirements
• USP Scholarship Appeal Guidelines
• Application Resources
• College and Departmental Scholarships
• Other Types of Aid
• Faculty & Staff
• Request More Information
• Apply to OSU

Request Info Visit Apply for Admission

You are here

Application resources for students.

• OSU Scholarship Cycle
• Important Dates
• Application Materials
• External Scholarships

The Scholarship Cycle 

Important dates - 2024-2025 application cycle .

November 1 

Early action deadline for OSU undergraduate admission

OSU ScholarDollars applications  available online for all students

OSAC scholarship application available online for Oregon residents

FAFSA  (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) & ORSAA  (Oregon Student Aid Application) available online

Winter Break  - A great time to work on scholarship applications!

February 1 

• OSU freshman undergraduate admission application priority deadline for admission-based scholarship consideration 

February 15 

• OSU ScholarDollars priority application submission deadline 

February 29 

• OSU's FAFSA & ORSAA priority filing deadline  
• OSU transfer undergraduate admission application priority deadline for admission-based scholarship consideration 
• OSAC scholarship application deadline  

Scholarship Application Materials

Most scholarships receive more applications than the number of awards available. A strong essay can help your application stand out to scholarship reviewers and improve your chances of being selected for an award.

Tips for writing your scholarship essay:   

Learn about the scholarship and read the essay prompt carefully 

Outline your essay before you start writing 

Write your essay in a word processing software (for example, Microsoft Word) first so you can save it and return to it later 

Check your spelling and grammar carefully, either in the word processing software or by using a program like Grammarly 

Read your essay out loud or ask someone else to read it to you to make sure it is clear and easy to read 

Before you submit your application, make sure you have answered all parts of the essay prompt 

Most of your scholarship application essays will be read by review committees made up of faculty members, so avoid typos, emojis, slang, and grammatical errors

Sample Essay 1 -  Please describe your educational and career goals, how you plan to accomplish them, and how your program(s) of study will facilitate those accomplishments. Please limit your response to no more than 300 words. 

I am a first-year student at Oregon State University, getting a bachelor's degree in Human Development & Family Sciences with a Child Development option. I love working with children and have volunteered to help kids learn how to read at Corvallis Elementary School and co-led a literacy group. Myself and other high school students talked about ways to better help kindergarten kids struggling with reading and writing. It was a hard challenge, but we gave it our all. This project made me realize I want to work with kids in the future.  

To achieve my goal of helping kids, I will work hard every day. By doing well academically, I plan to learn knowledge to be a better professional.  Having a college degree will enable me to be a teacher or work at a higher position in a school. I am not exactly sure if I want to be a teacher, so the HDFS degree is better for me to have more options after I graduate than an education degree. 

Also, during high school, I was named Most Helpful Volunteer by Key Club, and my fluency in Spanish will help. I will use my language skills to communicate with and support Spanish-speaking kids and their parents. It’s good for people working with children to be bilingual.  

I want to help positively impact the lives of children and their families. I am confident that I am on the right path to make a difference in the lives of children. I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship. 

Scholarship reviewers want to learn about you as a unique individual, so consider sharing more of your  personality through your essay: 

Include examples or stories that will help reviewers connect with you and your experiences 

Ask people who know you well for suggestions 

Be authentic in your answers—reviewers want to get to know the real you  

Sample Essay 2 - A revised version of Sample Essay 1 that includes more stories and examples

Volunteering with the literacy initiative at Corvallis High School has inspired my future career goals. Through this volunteer work, I realized my goal of helping children throughout my life and chose to earn my degree in Human Development & Family Sciences (HDFS), with a Child Development option. While I was co-leader, we brainstormed ways to support the kindergartners we worked with. One of the kids was having a very hard time reading aloud if anyone was listening. We knew about therapy dogs who help give children confidence while reading. After extensive research, I found a therapy dog handler who was willing to help. We brought the dog in, and that child read aloud for the first time that whole year! He was so proud of himself, and I felt so rewarded by his success. This is why I’m so focused on supporting children. While I’m not sure if I want to be a teacher or work with children in another way, my HDFS degree will give me many options after I graduate. 

Through my HDFS bachelor’s degree, I will learn about different stages of a child’s development and build a strong foundation for my future career. An internship with OSU’s Child Development Center will help me gain experience with children and allow me to recognize milestones. In addition to my HDFS degree, I will also minor in Spanish. I already speak Spanish fluently, but I plan to improve my written communication skills. Many of the families in this area speak Spanish, and being bilingual will allow me to connect with parents on a deeper level. I am confident that I’m on the right path to making a difference in the lives of children, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship. 

Submitting a resume as part of a scholarship application is an opportunity to show the scholarship committee how you spend time outside of school. Be sure to include any experiences that give the scholarship reviewers a sense of who you are and why you are a strong scholarship candidate.

A strong resume is:

• Uses accessible formatting and fonts
• Highlights your most important accomplishments
• Includes your experiences in addition to school and work, including family responsibilities, honors and leadership, extracurricular activities, etc.

See a  sample resume  for a scholarship application here. 

Many OSU scholarships are made possible by the generosity of our donors, and it is incredibly meaningful for donors to learn about the students their gifts support! We hope that you will help us thank them and encourage them to support future OSU students by submitting a thank you letter if one is requested.

• Tips and examples for writing thank you letters will be posted soon!

External Scholarships 

External scholarships can be a great way to increase your funding options, but you will want to be careful to avoid scams. OSU ScholarDollars  is a safe option to search and apply for external scholarships because all the opportunities included in the system have been researched and vetted for you. For more information about avoiding scholarship scams, we recommend visiting the link below from the Federal Trade Commission. 

How to Avoid Scams

Information about avoiding Financial Aid and Scholarship Scams   

How To Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams  

Reporting Suspicious Activity in Your OSU Student Email 

Forward any suspicious emails as an attachment to [email protected] . Do not open any attachments or click any links on a suspicious email. Contact the Information Service Desk at 541-737-8787 if you need additional assistance. 

If you have other questions, please contact the OSU Scholarship Office at  [email protected]  or 541-737-1125.

Contact Info

Scholarship Office 108B Kerr Admin Building Corvallis, OR 97331 541-737-1125 Contact Us

Enrollment Management

• 01 Academics & Faculty Affairs
• 02 Student Life
• 03 Business & Finance
• 04 Governance & Administration
• 05 Human Resources
• 06 Research
• 07 Risk Management, Safety & Facilities
• 08 Information Technology
• Other Policies

1. Policy Statement

1.1. Admissions Standards

1.1.1. The university sets standards for admission to first-year, advanced undergraduate, and graduate standing at the university. Standards may include such criteria as high school graduation, subject requirements, prior college-level coursework, standardized test scores and grades. Additionally, the university has a holistic admissions process and may consider alternatives and exceptions to stated standards if it believes the intent of those standards are met and the student can be successful if admitted.

1.1.2. The university may establish enrollment limitations and set higher and additional standards for admission to designated academic courses and programs.

1.1.3. The university shall periodically review admission standards and provide at least one year's notice of any change in standards used in determining admissibility.

1.2. Recruitment Practices

1.2.1. University employees, students, alumni, and contractors operating on behalf of the university, must engage in ethical practices when recruiting students to attend the university. High pressure recruitment tactics for the purpose of securing enrollments are prohibited.

1.2.2. The university does not provide commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payment programs to university employees, students, alumni or contractors for the purpose of securing enrollments of domestic students.

2. Reason for Policy

2.1. The university has a holistic admissions process which looks at multiple items for each applicant, with the goal of identifying and admitting students who have the skills, abilities, and drive to succeed at the university. These items include grades, class rank, personal statements, responses to application essay questions, letters of recommendation, and any required external examinations, among others.

3. Scope & Audience

3.1. This university policy applies to students who have been admitted to the university and individuals who are seeking to enroll, employees, alumni, and contractors operating on behalf of the university.

4. Definitions

5. responsibilities & procedures, 6. forms & tools.

6.1. Admissions requirements, deadlines, and decisions: https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/admission-requirements-1 .

6.2. Undergraduate and graduate admissions forms: https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/publications .

6.3. Student health history and immunization forms: https://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/students/policies-and-guidelines/… .

7. Frequently Asked Questions

7.1. Admissions FAQs may be found here: https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/faq

8. Related Information

8.1. University Policy 04-100 Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment , prohibiting discrimination against applicants for admission.

9.1. Adopted: Oregon State University adopted University Policy 580-010 Admission Requirements, Residence Classification, and Payment of Student Fees from Oregon Administrative Rule 580-010 Admission Requirements, Residence Classification, and Payment of Student Fees on July 1, 2014.

9.2. Revised: The admission requirements sections of University Policy 580-010 Admission Requirements, Residence Classification, and Payment of Student Fees were updated and renumbered as University Policy 01-100 Admissions on January 24, 2023.

9.3. Next scheduled review date: January 2028.

10. Website

10.1. https://policy.oregonstate.edu/policy/admissions

11. Contacts

Enrollment Management 541-737-6166 https://enrollmentmanagement.oregonstate.edu/

National and Global Scholarships Advising

• Graduate Students
• Study Abroad and International
• Public Service
• Graduate Study
• Opportunities that We Advise For
• Opportunities that We Do Not Advise For
• Additional Opportunities
• 2023-2024 Scholar Stories
• 2022-2023 Scholars
• 2021-2022 Scholars
• 2020-2021 Scholars
• 2019-2020 Scholars
• 2018-2019 Scholars
• 2017-2018 Scholars
• 2016-2017 Scholars
• 2015-2016 Scholars

Essay Writing

• Résumés, CVs, and Cover Letters
• Reference Etiquette
• Interview Prep
• Career Exploration & Readiness
• Applying to Graduate School
• After You Hit Submit
• Writing Recommendations
• Refer a Student
• Request Class Visit
• Recommend a Scholarship
• Quarterly Newsletters
• Future Students

You are here

The personal statement.

Your Personal Statement should narrate your personal and intellectual development. It should illustrate how the proposed experience is the next logical and necessary step in your life, and how you are qualified to carry it out. It is your opportunity to illustrate what a unique and exceptional individual you are. Here are questions to consider while writing:

• Overall, is your Personal Statement interesting and easy to read? Does it show, rather than tell, who you are?
• Does your Personal Statement demonstrate your motivation and ability to work independently?
• Does your Personal Statement show who you are, and make the reader want to know you better?
• Do you demonstrate your experience and interest in becoming a leader and innovator in your field?
• Will the reader feel confident you would represent the funding agency well?
• Do you maintain a theme or connecting concept throughout your Personal Statement?
• Does your Personal Statement explore connections between your academic life and the rest of your life?
• Do you repeat information included in other parts of your application? Omit repeated information unless it is absolutely necessary, e.g., further explanation or emphasis.

Mistakes often made by applicants when writing a Personal Statement:

• Turning the Personal Statement into an extended version of a resume. Applicants often ask how they should incorporate activities into their essay when they have already listed them separately on the application. Leave out less important things (or limit items that ate not critical to the Personal Statement to other portions of your application—there are sections in the scholarship application for listing honors, awards, and activities).
• Exaggerating your history and situation. Do not believe that all applicants expand on the truth. Experienced interviewers often uncover exaggeration during interviews. This can be embarrassing and disastrous for an applicant.
• Being overly clever or cute in writing the Personal Statement. Selection committees have read quite literally hundreds of essays, and they find overly clever essays annoying. This reaction can do nothing but harm the future of your application.

writing_a_personal_statement_handout.png

Additional Resources for Writing a Personal Statement: 

• How to Write an Excellent Personal Statement in 14 Days - 2 pager from our office 
• Write a Great Personal Statement  - 2 pager from OSU's Career Development Center 
• Tips for Becoming a Strong Applicant  - 1 pager from our office 
• Shitty First Drafts - Essay by Anne Lamott  

The Statement of Purpose

Statements of Purpose are usually limited in length.  Use your space wisely to fully describe your project or purpose. You should cover the essential details of your project or purpose within the first or second paragraph.

The Statement of Purpose should demonstrate that you are able to plan and implement a successful research project or course of study. Statement of Purpose is your guide to completing your study and meeting your objectives. The Statement of Purpose should be as specific as possible, while also being flexible enough  to allow for adjustments in response to unanticipated circumstances.

Ask yourself the following questions during your writing and editing processes:

• Overall, is the Statement of Purpose persuasive, direct, concise, and easy to read? Short (three or four-sentence) paragraphs can be very effective.
• Does the Statement of Purpose emphasize the relevance and significance of the project from start to finish?
• Does the first paragraph answer who, what, when, where, why, and how?
• Do the subsequent paragraphs detail what you propose to do and how you will do it?
• Is the timeline realistic, specific, acceptable, and appropriate? Does it include any pre- and post-grant plans?
• Are there clearly defined, achievable goals and objectives (the activities/steps to reach your goals), concrete outcomes, and measurable results?
• Does the proposal fit within the context of your academic experience and skills?
• Are the methodology and activities comprehensive, relevant, appropriate, feasible, and approved/approvable, if necessary?
• Does the proposal include an explanation of your field of study and the context of the project?
• If applicable, does the proposal describe with whom you will work, the support that they have offered to give you, and the significance of this assistance?
• Does the proposal demonstrate why the project or study needs to be at the proposed location/university, the resources provided, and how your collaborators will benefit from your work there?
• Does the proposal demonstrate that you have the academic background necessary for your project?
• Does the proposal clearly explain your future plans (immediate and long-term) and how your work will help further your academic and/or professional development?
• Does the proposal leave the reader with a sense of why your project should be supported?
• Does the closing paragraph of the proposal reemphasize what you will achieve and what makes your project exciting, necessary and unique?

Overall, the Statement of Purpose should be compelling and easily understood by both an educated “lay” person and an expert in your field. Since you do not know exactly who will read your application at the national (and/or international) level, write a proposal that is clear and comprehensible to someone who knows nothing about your subject, while also specific and detailed enough to convince an expert. Do not be afraid to use language or concepts specific to your field and to reference the work of other authors. If your project is highly technical, about 75% of your proposal should be easily understood by all readers

Links to Essay Writing Tips

500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing

How to Win a Graduate Fellowship

Writing Personal Statements Online

tipsforbecomingastrongapplicant_jpg.jpg

• Fulbright ETA Essay Writing

• Scholarships and Fellowships
• Additional Opportunties
• OSU GO Scholarships
• OSU Financial Aid Office
• OSU International Student Scholarships

Contact Info

National and Global Scholarships Advising Learning Innovation Center Honors College Offices Suite 450 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97333

Connect on Instagram

Connect on YouTube

Online Appointment Scheduling: https://beav.es/Ugj

National and Global Scholarships Advising  Director, LeAnn Adam [email protected] 541-737-1996

Honors College

• A Message from the Dean
• Giving to the Honors College
• Honors Link Magazine
• Mission & Values
• Operations and Services
• Strategic Plan 2020-2025
• Student Learning Centers
• Volunteer Leadership Groups
• Applying to the Honors College
• Honors College Brochure
• OSU-Cascades
• Meet HC Student Ambassadors
• Progress Requirements
• Curriculum Requirements
• Graduation Central
• Student Involvement
• Internship & Career Connections
• Withdrawing from the Honors College
• Schedule of Classes
• Spotlight on Courses
• Non-HC Students Can Take Honors Courses
• HC Course Evaluations
• Suggest a Course
• Faculty Resources
• Stage One - Plan
• Stage Two - Explore & Build
• Stage Three - Commit
• Stage Four - Compose & Complete
• Mentor Guidelines & Resources
• Thesis Archive
• HC Faculty Research Showcases
• HC Research Opportunities
• Incoming Students
• Current Students
• HC Differential Tuition and Emergency Grants
• Honors College Differential Tuition Scholarship
• Honors Experiential Award Application
• News and Stories
• Contact and Visit Information
• Send us an email
• HC Student Directory
• Alumni and Friends
• Faculty and Staff
• Meet HC Pre-Vet Scholars
• Meet HC Pre-Pharmacy Scholars

You are here

The Honors College is a diverse community of about 1,800 students across three campuses, all working toward an Honors Baccalaureate degree in their academic major. The HC offers the benefits of small engaging classes, a collaborative learning community, personal advising and unique access to research opportunities that culminate in the honors thesis. While admission to the Honors College is competitive, the selection process is holistic. We value a broad definition of achievement, which considers not only GPA, but also coursework, extracurricular activities and service to community, and responses to the Honors College essay prompt and short-answer questions. 

To apply, students must complete the appropriate HC application.  

Minimum Requirements for HC Admission

Hc-grads.jpg.

3.75  cumulative unweighted high school GPA. Students who don't meet the GPA minimum can qualify with a test score of 1300 SAT or 27 ACT.

Students transferring to OSU from another college or university (applying to the HC at the same time as they apply to Oregon State)

3.5  Cumulative transfer GPA

Current OSU Students  (students who have completed at least one term of classes at Oregon State as an undergraduate student)

3.5  Cumulative Oregon State GPA 

The Honors College is currently allowing applications from students who do not meet one of the HC minimum criteria. If you have been impacted by circumstances that affected your ability to meet the HC GPA or test score minimum but wish to apply, you should complete all sections of the Honors College application and ensure that you have provided relevant information on the additional information/circumstances question of the Oregon State application. All applications will be reviewed holistically and fully considered.   

How to Apply

Students applying to the HC directly from high school apply by filling out the Honors College section of the Oregon State undergraduate application  for admission on Oregon State's website or on the Common App .

*Note:  First-year applicants who applied to Oregon State without filling out the Honors College application section and now wish to apply can do so by submitting the first-year Honors College application found in the Oregon State Beaver Basecamp Portal (where students log in to check on the status and materials of their Oregon State application after they've submitted it). All information must be filled out, even if the questions also appeared on the Oregon State application.

The deadlines for first-year students to apply to the Honors College are November 1 (early action) and February 1 (regular decision).

If you have missed those deadlines but plan to attend Oregon State, you can apply to the HC after you complete one term at Oregon State University as an undergraduate student. Please see the section for "Current Students" for more information. 

Students transferring to Oregon State from another college or university  who wish to apply to the HC should apply by filling out the Honors College section of the Oregon State undergraduate application  for admission on Oregon State's website or on the Common App . Transfer students who applied to Oregon State without filling out the Honors College application section and now wish to apply can do so by submitting the Honors College application found in the Oregon State Beaver Basecamp Portal (where students log in to check on the status and materials of their Oregon State application after they've submitted it). All information must be filled out even if the questions also appeared on the Oregon State application.

The deadlines for transfer students to apply to the Honors College match OSU's deadlines for transfer applicants .  If you are a transfer student who did not apply to the Honors College prior to your first term at Oregon State but are interested in the HC, please see the section for "Current Students" to learn more about how you can apply to the HC after your first term at Oregon State . 

Students who are already attending Oregon State  and have completed at least one term of classes at Oregon State University as an undergraduate student can apply to the HC by filling out the Honors College current OSU student application .

Applications may be submitted at any time during the academic year. Applications will be considered for entry terms based on the submission deadlines listed below. 

*Note: Although the final deadline to apply for fall entry term is August 1, if you want to be able to register for honors classes for fall term, you must submit your application by the Monday of Week 2 of the Spring term prior to the fall in which you would join the HC (if admitted) . If you submit your application after the Monday of Week 2 of Spring term, your application may not be processed before registration for fall term begins, and fall honors classes may be full at the time you receive your HC admission decision.  

If you are an incoming first-year or transfer student who will be attending Oregon State in an upcoming term and you did not apply to the Honors College before your appropriate deadline, you can fill out this application after you have completed at least one term at Oregon State University as an undergraduate student. 

International students who meet HC application eligibility will be invited to apply to the Honors College when they are offered admission to Oregon State University by the Office of International Admissions. Incoming international students who plan to attend Oregon State and are invited to apply to the Honors College should apply at least 4 weeks prior to their first term at Oregon State to ensure their application can be processed before their first term at Oregon State. The link to the application will be available in the email students receive inviting them to apply to the Honors College. 

International students who do not apply to the Honors College before they attend Oregon State can still apply as a current Oregon State student after they complete one term at Oregon State University as an undergraduate student. See the section titled "Current students" for more information about applying to the HC after you have completed one term at Oregon State. 

Honors College Tuition and Financial Aid

Honors College students are assessed Honors College differential tuition each term. The HC differential tuition enables the Honors College to provide small honors classes, academic advising, co-curricular activities and other core elements of the Honors College student experience. HC differential tuition is currently $520 per term for full-time students (enrolled in 12 or more credits that term) and $260 for part-time students (enrolled in less than 12 credits that term) and will appear on each student's billing account for each fall, winter and spring term that the student is enrolled at Oregon State based on their enrollment level that term.   

The HC recognizes that the HC Differential Tuition associated with enrollment in the Honors College can present a financial challenge for some students. The Honors College offers a limited number of  need-based scholarships , emergency grants and experiential learning awards to students each year to support full engagement with the HC experience. 

Important Information

Though similar, the selection process for HC admission is separate from admission to the university.  Due to enrollment constraints,  HC selections are competitive . While many applicants meet the minimum criteria for application consideration, not all applicants will be offered admission.

Selection criteria for an incoming first-year student is based on cumulative un-weighted high school GPA and the response to the essay question. SAT or ACT scores ( optional ), The strength of courses taken in high school, as well as personal or academic attributes that will enrich the Honors community, are also considered.

For college transfers or current Oregon State students, selection criteria are based on the applicant's college GPA and the essay response. Personal or academic attributes that will enrich the Honors community are also considered.

The Honors College is currently allowing applications from students who do not meet one of HC the minimum criteria. If you have been impacted by circumstances that affected your ability to meet the HC GPA or test score minimum but wish to apply, you should complete all sections of the Honors College application and ensure that you have provided relevant information on the additional information/circumstances question of the Oregon State application. All applications will be reviewed holistically and fully considered.   

First-Year Applicants

Early Action application submission dates: August 1st - November 1st (11:59 p.m. PST) 

• Early Action HC admission decision date: December 31st*

* HC admission decisions will be posted in Beaver Basecamp and sent via email no later than December 31st. 

• Regular Decision application submission dates: November 2nd - February 1st
• Regular Decision HC admission decision date: March 31st*

* HC admission decisions will be posted in Beaver Basecamp and sent via email intermittently between February 1st and March 31st. 

Note: if you are a first-year student planning to attend Oregon State and have missed the deadlines to apply to the Honors College, you can apply to the HC after you complete one term at Oregon State University as an undergraduate student. Please see the section above for "Current Students" for more information. 

Transfer Applicants

Applications may be submitted by the deadlines for OSU Transfer Applicants  (within your Oregon State application or in Beaver Basecamp after you have applied to Oregon State). Admission decisions are posted in Beaver Basecamp and sent via email on a rolling basis.

International Applicants

International students who meet HC application eligibility will be invited to apply to the Honors College when they are offered admission to Oregon State University by the Office of International Admission. Incoming international students who have been invited to apply to the Honors College may submit applications at least 4 weeks prior to your first term at Oregon State. Admission decisions are sent via email. 

Current Oregon State Students (students who have completed at least one term of classes at Oregon State University as an undergraduate student)

HC Essay Prompt for students applying for Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, or Spring 2025 entry terms:

Making connections between multiple subjects or perspectives and then drawing insights from those connections is the basis of interdisciplinary thinking, a central part of the Honors College curriculum.

For your essay, choose an interesting or unique connection: explain the connection, why it interests you, and why it is meaningful or significant. Be creative! You can choose from activities, academic subjects, concepts, natural or human phenomena, etc.

You must clearly and completely address this specific prompt with a 450-500 word essay for your Honors College application to be considered. Keep in mind:

Make sure you address the entire prompt.

We are looking for evidence of your original thinking and individuality – avoid generalities.

Essays should showcase your best writing and attention to detail; they will be evaluated on your demonstrated ability to think deeply and creatively and to write effectively.

Please do not write about your accomplishments (academic, athletic, or extracurricular). The HC admissions committee will review all your other application materials and responses.

If you have questions about the HC application essay prompt, please contact Honors College Admissions at [email protected]  or  541-737-6400

HC Essay Prompt for students applying for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026, or Spring 2026 entry terms:

For your essay, choose a specific connection that you consider interesting or unique: describe and explain the connection and its parts and why that connection is meaningful or significant. You can choose from activities, academic subjects, concepts, natural or human phenomena, etc.

Write an original essay that clearly and completely addresses the prompt above in 450-500 words in order for your Honors College application to be considered. Making connections and drawing insights from those connections is a central part of the Honors College experience.

When writing your essay:

• Clearly identify the specific connection you have chosen to write about.
• Avoid generalities -- we are looking for evidence of your original thinking and individuality.
• Showcase your best writing and attention to detail ; essays are evaluated on your demonstrated ability to think deeply and creatively and respond effectively to the prompt above .
• Avoid writing only about academic, athletic, or extracurricular accomplishments . The HC admissions committee will review all your other application materials and responses.

Contact Info

Honors College Learning Innovation Center 450

Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 541-737-6400

Contact us with your comments, questions, and feedback

• All HC Scholarships

Writing & Supplemental Essays

Items marked with a red asterisk * are required. Students are not required to complete items that do not have the red asterisk.

Introduction

Some colleges have additional “supplemental” essays in their section of the My Colleges tab. In this section of the AXS Companion, you will learn more about supplemental essays, including:

• Where to find prompts for supplemental essays
• How to approach the “Why do you want to come here?” or the “Why Us?” essay
• How to approach the disciplinary history essay
• Resources with advice about how to write supplemental essays

This is an example of the supplemental Writing section for a specific college found within the My Colleges tab of Common App.

In this video, we discuss why supplemental essays are an important part of your application and where to find them in Common App. This video should take approximately 4 minutes.

In this video, we discuss the most common supplemental essays and how to use supplemental essays to tell colleges more about you. This video should take approximately 5 minutes.

In this video, Timothy Brunold, Dean of Admission at the University of Southern California, makes suggestions of how to write the “Why Us?” essay. This video should take approximately 4 minutes.

In this video, we provide a more detailed explanation of how to write the “Why Us?” essay. This video is for students who want more advice on how to write a thorough, authentic “Why Us?” essay. This video should take approximately 5 minutes.

In this video, we discuss how to approach questions about disciplinary or criminal history. The purpose of this section is for you to understand how to write about your disciplinary history, if you have one. If you have to write about a disciplinary history, this section should take approximately an hour.

Tips & Reminders

• Don’t wait until the last minute to scroll through the My Colleges tab. Essays can appear in different places depending on the information you enter regarding your college choice.
• Supplemental essays are a good opportunity to tell a college more about yourself. If a college has several supplemental essays, think about how the essays can work together to tell more about you.
• Additional Information
• After you indicate your intended major or college choice
• When writing a “Why Us?” essay, your goal is to tell the college how you will pursue your academic interests there and why you are genuinely a good fit for the college. WOW provides detailed advice for how to write this essay in the WOW – Writing The “Why Us?” Essay Guide .
• WOW provides detailed guidelines for how to approach other supplemental essays in the WOW – Writing Supplemental Essays Guide .
• WOW also provides detailed advice for how to write about academic challenges in the WOW – How to Write About Academic Challenges Guide .

AXS Companion Copyright © 2022 by IECA & Oregon State University Ecampus is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

• About the Bar
• Member Directory Last Name: First Name: Bar Number: City:

• Application Form (PDF)
• Exam Preparation
• Exam Results/Pass Rates
• Admission Rules (PDF)

Bar Exam Preparation

The Oregon Board of Bar Examiners (BBX) administers the Uniform Bar Examination as a part of the Oregon bar examination. This includes six essay questions – the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), 200 multiple-choice questions – the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), and two 90-minute performance items – the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).  The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) scores the MBE component of the UBE.  The BBX grades the MEE and MPT components.  The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE and UBE total scores are calculated by NCBE. The MBE is weighted 50%, the MEE 30%, and the MPT 20%. Materials and resources to better understand the various components of the exam, as well as sample MEE and MBE questions and summaries of recent MPT items, can be found on the website for the NCBE:  www.ncbex.org/exams

The following areas of law that may be tested on the MEE include Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations and Limited Liability Companies), Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including Article 2 [Sales] of the Uniform Commercial Code), Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates (Decedents’ Estates; Trusts and Future Interests), and Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code. Some questions may include issues in more than one are of law. The particular areas covered vary from exam to exam.

Public Legal Information

• Public Information Home
• Legal Information Topics
• Oregon Juror Guide

Getting Legal Help

• Finding The Right Lawyer
• Hiring A Lawyer
• Lawyers Fees

Client Services

• Client Assistance Office
• Client Security Fund

Fee Dispute Resolution

• Public Records Request
• Locating Attorney Files

Unlawful Practice of Law

• UPL Information
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Public Member Application
• Log In To OSB Site
• Member Account Setup
• Non-Member Account Setup
• Reset Password

OSB Resources

• Attorney's Marketplace
• Career Center
• Forms Library
• Online Resources
• OSB Group Listings
• Performance Standards
• Rules Regulations and Policies
• Surveys and Research Reports
• Unclaimed Client Funds
• Voting Regions and By-City County Information
• Log in to Fastcase
• Scheduled Webinars
• Inactive Member Subscriptions

Legal Ethics

• Legal Ethics Home
• Find an Ethics Opinion
• Bulletin Bar Counsel Archive

Company Administrator

• Company Administrator Home
• Company Administrator FAQ
• Authorization Form

State Lawyers Assistance Committee

Volunteering, court information.

• Judicial Vacancies
• Court Info | Calendars | Jury Info
• Oregon Attorneys in Federal Court
• Tribal Courts of Oregon

OSB Publications

• Bar Bulletin Magazine
• – Bulletin Archive
• – Legal Writer Archive
• Capitol Insider
• Disciplinary Board Reporter

PLF Programs

• (OAAP) Oregon Attorney Assistance Program
• Practice Management Attorneys
• Malpractice Coverage

CLE Seminars

• CLE Seminars Home
• Online Seminar Registration
• General Info/FAQ
• Order History

Legal Publications

• Legal Publications Home
• Log in to BarBooks
• BarBooks FAQ
• Online Bookstore
• Legal Pubs Blog

Diversity & Inclusion

• Diversity & Inclusion Home
• Diversity Story Wall
• D&I Programs
• ACDI Roster
• D&I Staff Contacts

Legislative/Public Affairs

• Legislative Home
• Committee Contacts
• Legislative Sessions
• Staff Contacts
• Useful Links

Legal Services Program

Oregon law foundation.

• Partners in Justice
• Fee Dispute Resolution Home
• Pro Bono Home
• Pro Bono Reporting

Lawyer Referral and Information Services

• Summary of Referral and Information Services Programs
• Lawyer Referral Service Info and Registration Forms
• Modest Means Program Registration Forms
• Military Assistance Panel Training Info and Registration Form
• Problem Solvers Registration Form
• Lawyer To Lawyer Registration Form

(LRAP) Loan Repayment Assistance Program

• LRAP Policies
• Section Info/Websites
• Joining Sections
• CLE Registration Services
• Standard Section Bylaws (PDF)
• Leadership Resources
• Treasurers Tools
• Professionalism Commission

House of Delegates

• HOD Resources
• Rules (PDF)
• Roster (PDF)

Board of Governors

• Meetings & Agendas
• Task Forces

Oregon New Lawyers Division

• Law Students
• Student Loan Repayment
• Upcoming Events

Task Forces and Special Committees

• Task Forces Home

Volunteer Bars

• List/Contacts
• Admissions Home
• Alternative Admittance
• Applicants for Admission
• Admissions Forms
• Past Bar Exam Results

Licensed Paralegal Program

Pro hac vice/arbitration.

• Pro Hac Vice
• Arbitration

Lawyer Discipline

• Discipline Home
• Disciplinary Boards
• (SPRB) State Professional Responsibility Board

Membership Records

• Address Changes
• Good Standing Certificate
• Request Discipline File Review
• Program Database

IOLTA Reporting

Membership fees.

• Member Fee FAQ
• Member Fee Payment

Status Changes

• Status Changes FAQ
• Inactive Status Form
• Retired Status Form
• Active Pro Bono Status Form
• Reinstatement Forms
• Resignation Form A
• Pending Reinstatements

New Lawyer Mentoring Program

• New Lawyer Mentoring Program Home

Professional Liability Fund

• Professional Liability Fund Website

Student Staff Hiring

• Residence Halls
• On-Campus Apartments
• First Year Housing
• International Students
• Second Year and Above
• Transfer Students
• Graduate Students
• Summer Housing
• Conference Housing
• Scholar Housing
• Family Housing
• Living-Learning Communities
• Special Interest Communities
• Housing Application Info
• First Year Experience and Live-On Policy
• Important Application Dates
• Roommate Matching and Gender Identity
• Moving In Guide
• Moving Out Guide
• What to Bring + Leave Behind
• Parents and Families
• Policy Guide
• Room & Dining Rates
• Break Housing
• Accessibility
• Beaver Movie Streaming
• Changing Rooms
• Furniture and Amenities
• Living with a Roommate
• Networks and Streaming
• Report Maintenance Issues
• Service Centers
• Social Media & Enewsletter
• Student Leadership
• Campus Markets
• Care Packages
• Dining Plans
• Eco2Go return
• Food Insecurity
• Hours & Locations
• Food Sourcing
• Meet the Director
• Special Diets & Allergen Info
• Staff, Faculty & Visitors
• University Bakeshop
• Advertise & Promote
• Contact UHDS
• Reserve Rooms & Equipment
• Search Staff Directory
• Funding Opportunities
• Housing Portal

• Resident Assistants
• About the Job
• Qualifications

Application Process & Timeline

Resident assistant (ra), description:.

The Resident Assistant position is a live-in, peer mentorship, student staff position working an average of 15 hours a week within the Residence Halls on the Oregon State University Corvallis campus. RAs are assigned to a wing or floor of residents within that community.

RAs are responsible for creating and maintaining emotionally and physically safe and secure residential communities. RAs are called upon to effectively respond to and manage a variety of crisis and emergency situations. They play a key role in creating environments that encourage all students to be academically and personally successful. Resident Directors supervise RAs in the performance and evaluation of their duties through weekly one-on-ones, staff meetings, and trainings/in-services.

For more information, you can review the Resident Assistant Position Description for the 2024-2025 academic year.

MINIMUM/REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be a current full time OSU student or degree partnership student with OSU with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher.
• Maintain good academic and conduct standing with both OSU and UHDS.
• Successfully pass a Criminal History Check upon hire.
• Demonstrate the ability to cultivate relationships with people who have different experiences or perspectives. 
• Demonstrate the ability to engage with others who are different from you.
• Demonstrate the ability to learn about social justice principles and concepts.
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in difficult conversations or conflict.
• Demonstrate the ability to balance multiple priorities through effective time management. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrate understanding of social justice principles and concepts.
• Demonstrate engagement with diversity and social justice education, initiatives and programs. 
• Demonstrate crisis management skills.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• RAs receive a residence hall room. RAs may be assigned roommates on a temporary basis as part of the UHDS Temporary Housing Plan.
• RAs receive a Student Staff Meal Plan equivalent to Residential Dining Level 1  each term, plus additional prorated weeks during fall training.
• RAs receive a $1080 stipend for the academic year.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The RA Application process for 2024-25 occurs throughout the winter and spring term.  The application opens on February 5, 2024 and will close on March 3, 2024.

The application process includes submitting a resume and essay responses to the application essay questions. The Selection Committee will review application materials and extend an offer to interview to those who meet qualifications.

• You will need to have an updated resume for your application.
• Please save your resume as a PDF file.
• Experience working with or supporting diverse groups of people.
• Experience engaging in social justice activism, education, learning, and programming.
• Experience having navigated difficult conversations with others or working through conflict with others.

Improve your resume . Use Oregon State's online resume reviewer, Vmock , to get instant, personalized feedback before you submit your application to UHDS. Based on tips from Vmock , improve your resume to boost your odds of getting hired.

• If you would like to know more about creating a resume, please contact the Career Development Center .

Essay questions

The application requires candidates to provide essay responses to supplemental questions.  It is recommended that you write your response offline and then copy and paste them into the application before you submit.

1. As an RA, you are tasked with forming personal connections with all of the residents within your community. Tell us about a time when you took initiative to build a connection with someone you didn't know. What steps did you take to further grow that relationship? How do you feel this applies to the RA position?

2. As an RA, you may be in situations where you have to engage in uncomfortable conversations around breaking policies, roommate agreements, or other conflicts. Please give an example of a time when you approached or engaged in a conflict or difficult conversation. How did you manage the situation and what was the resolution? How could this experience help you support residents navigating conflict or difficult conversations?

3. Engaging with diverse cultures, identities, and perspectives gives students learning depth and vibrancy. We strive to help students reflect on their own identity and cultures, develop empathy and deepen their commitment to effect social change. How have you explored your own cultural and social identities? How have you demonstrated a genuine interest in the cultural and social identities of others? Reflect on how your engagement has enhanced your understanding of social justice and/or social change. 

Opportunities & Resources

We want applicants to be successful in this process. Here are some resources and opportunities to prepare for the application process. 

• Talk to your Diversity Learning Assistant: Each hall has a designated Diversity Learning Assistant that facilitates workshops and programs around diversity and social justice issues.
• Community Dialogues: Each term, OSU’s Community Engagement & Leadership, the Office of Institutional Diversity, and University Housing & Dining Services host dialogue opportunities to learn about critical & contentious issues.
• Cultural Resource Centers: OSU's Cutural Resource Centers provide community for racial groups on campus. They host monthly programming, workshops, and cultural celebrations.
• Diversity Education: For an in-depth look at social justice opportunities on campus, check out the Diversity Education website . Listed are events, programs, and departments that offer a variety of opportunities to be involved or learn further.

Here are some tips and tools to help you prepare for your interview :

• Interviewing: Overview, Tips and Follow-Up
• Sample Interview Questions
• STAR Method for Formulating Answers
• Practice interviewing . Use an interactive video platform,  Standout , to practice your interviewing skills in your own space. Hear how you sound out loud and see how you present yourself to an interviewer.
• Get help with other career topics one-on-one . The Career Development Center offers consultations with career assistants who can answer your questions about resumes, cover letters, Handshake, and finding a job on campus. If you have additional questions, such as about career exploration for your major, make an appointment with a college-specific career advisor through Handshake.

Application Timeline

• 2024-2025 RA application opens February 5 , 20 24
• Application closes on  March 3, 2024
• Interview offers sent  April 3, 2024
• Interviews  April 8 – April 13, 2024
• RA offer letters sent  April 26, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that is not listed below, please contact [email protected]

What if I don’t have the required GPA?

• We encourage you to still apply! Students who do not meet the academic requirements would not receive an initial offer but still have a chance to be an RA by being placed in our alternate pool. We determine eligibility at the time that we send an offer letter. Students who improve their grades and meet the academic requirements would be eligible for offers that we make on a rolling basis throughout summer and into the academic year.  

I am an international student. Can I still apply?

• Yes! Any full-time student who is permitted to work in the United States is eligible to apply, please check with the Office of International Student Affairs to ensure you’re eligible.

When is training?

• Training for the fall term occurs for two to three weeks prior to UHDS move-in. Please see the terms and conditions of the position description for exact staff move-in and training dates. Staff are required to be present for all of training in order to be eligible for the position.

Can I hold another position on/off campus if I am an RA?

• Student employees are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week, this position is set for an average of 15 hours a week. You will need to seek prior approval from your Resident Director to work any hours outside of the position. In order to promote healthy time management and wellbeing, we encourage students to be mindful of time commitments.

I’ve never lived on-campus. Can I still apply?

• Yes, students are not required to have lived on campus. We recommend students to reach out to friends, student staff members, and Resident Directors for further information on what it’s like to live where you work. If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected]

Do I already need to know how to confront people or respond to emergencies?

• While experience responding to crisis and enforcing policy would be beneficial, we don’t expect our student employees to be knowledgeable of protocol and procedures. Staff are trained on ways to respond to a variety of situations. Additionally, our department provides on-call support via professional staff, the Department of Public Safety, and other professionals.

I see RAs are “on duty.” What does this mean?

• Resident Assistants work between 1-2 nights a week, holding a duty phone from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. the next day, responding to the needs of the residents throughout the night. During duty, RAs are expected to staff the front desk (from 8 p.m.-midnight on weekdays and 8 p.m.-2 a.m. on weekends) and to walk through the building to ensure the safety and security of students.

Why am I being asked about social justice in the application?

• OSU is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We recognize that our residents hold a diverse set of identities and come from different backgrounds. For this reason, it is important for us to hire RAs who are able to create inclusive environments and communities. While our department provides on-going training and education around social justice topics, we recognize it is beneficial to our residents to have staff who are able to understand issues that impact the individuals in their community.

What is my expected time commitment in the building?

• A large part of the RA position is cultivating relationships with individual residents and establishing a sense of community among the residents on their floor. While there is no set number of hours that staff must be present, staff are asked to dedicate time throughout the week to engage with the residents on their floor (based on their own availability) to build those relationships.

How many RAs are you hiring? What is an alternate pool?

• We have approximately 130 RA positions each year, and will hire between 30-50 new positions each year depending on how many current RAs return to the position. Candidates who are qualified to be an RA but did not receive an offer will be placed into the alternate pool. When vacancies occur, we will hire candidates out of the alternate pool.

Will I get to choose which building I will be assigned?

• Candidates who are hired or placed on the alternate list will fill out a placement survey to share their preference of student populations and communities that they are interested in working with. During the summer, our professional staff will review application materials and the placement survey to create the staff teams for each building. 

What should I do about housing if I don't get hired or get selected as hired as an RA?

• We recommend that you apply to live in our Second Year and Above Housing . If you apply and sign a contract with housing and then get hired as an RA, we will be able to transfer your contract from a resident contract to a staff contract without any fees or charges.
• Academic Learning Assistants
• Diversity Learning Assistants
• Student Staff Hiring Home

Contact Info

University Housing & Dining Services, Oxford House, 957 SW Jefferson Avenue, Corvallis OR 97333

Land Acknowledgement

•  ©2021 Oregon State University
• 541.737.4771 

Get the Reddit app

All things Oregon State and the Corvallis area

Application questions

I just submitted my application and I have a few questions.

I submitted my application at 10:00 PST, will I still be considered for scholarships?

How important are the essays to my admissions decision?

Can I fax my transcript to the admissions department

Does OSU send admissions results by mail or by email?

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

12 Tips for Answer Georgia College and State University Personal Essay Questions

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Writing a strong personal essay is an essential component of the application process when you apply to Georgia College and State University (GCSU).  In the personal essay questions , the  themes of career goals, personal growth, and community service are often emphasised. The university asks the students to elaborate on why they are interested in a particular field of study or recount a challenging situation they went through and how they managed to resolve it. 

Students can demonstrate their skills, achievements, and values by using real-life experiences as examples. In addition, the university’s personal essay questions require students to strike a balance between self-reflection and storytelling. Students must also present clear knowledge of how their experiences and prospective goals relate to the institution’s values. 

However, some students do not have enough skills to effectively answer such questions while  applying to university. So, this guide is for such students. Here,  we will provide tips on  writing a personal statement and answering such essay questions in your university application. 

How to Answer Georgia College and State University Personal Essay Questions?

Georgia College aims to extend education outside of the classroom to support students' critical thinking abilities. Thus, they have incorporated such questions into the enrolment applications. Below are the 12 tips that will provide  assistance with your essay  questions and improve your chances of having your application accepted.

1. Know the Best Ideas for Your Essay

The personal essay questions Georgia College and State University are meant to add more insight into your application. In addition, the response to such personal essay topics helps the admission committee to know more about you. To write a strong essay, make sure that your thoughts are coherent and reflect your own experiences. 

Here, we are providing you with some tricks to come up with amazing ideas:

• Understand the prompt.
• Read the question carefully.
• Get the core ideas.

Ideas Brainstorming

• Recall life events that have shaped who you are today.
• Think about how your social, academic or cultural backgrounds have influenced you.
• Remember times when you overcame challenges or achieved milestones in life.
• Focus on strengths or areas of passion for you.

Your ideas must:

• Be relevant to the prompt.
• Be realistic.
• In line with what the university stands for.

2. Reflect on Your Experiences

As you prepare to apply to university, remember the experiences that have contributed to shaping you the way you are now. Your essay should show how these developments, interests, and objectives align with the university's mission and values.

Think about the following points while you reflect on your experiences:

Obstacles and Challenges

What barriers or hurdles have hindered your progress in the past, and what methods did you capitalise on to go beyond them? Which abilities were sharpened from these experiences? How did these experiences affect your outlook towards life and your goals?

Positions and Duties in Leadership

Retrace your steps and recount what you acquired. Restate lessons you learned from playing a leading role.

Academic Accomplishments and Interests

Reverse the positions, think about yourself, and concentrate on your various achievements in class. How did you develop an interest in these areas, and what have they done to help you reach your goals?

Development of the Self and Self-Awareness

Apart from considering one’s personal developments, consider the times when challenges or disappointments were faced and dealt with. When and how did you confront these challenges? What did you learn about yourself while doing so?

As you think about these events, think about the following questions:

• What skills did this encounter assist me in developing or improving?
• What changes has this encounter brought to my ambitions and goals?
• In what way does this experience relate to my aspirations and objectives?
• What values or principles did this experience instil or reinforce in me?
• What precise moments or stories can I draw on?

3. Don't Tell them a Story They Want; Tell them What You Want

When crafting your essays for applications, it is easy to get into the comfort zone of writing in a way that seems pleasant to the members of the admissions committee. This approach, however, often fails to showcase your point. Instead, it is advisable to be unapologetically bold and tell the story you want to tell, regardless of who it will appeal to. Understand that it is very important to be real in your essay.

When writing your personal statement, consider these points:

• Focus on how the engagement aspects of your essay have been drawn from your unique experiences. 
• Explain how being unique comes from expressing yourself on your own rather than what you believe the college would prefer to hear.
• Explain why authentic stories are more interesting as they are true and emotional.
• Argue that for your essay to capture attention, it is important to be free, vulnerable, and take risks in your narrative.
• Expressing your wishes reveals more about your true self, and that is what the college is looking for.

4. Be Authentic

Finding one’s values, beliefs, and passions is the heart of authenticity. This starts in the inner space where you try so hard to know yourself and decide which of your values are the most important. There is authenticity in overcoming the temptation to conform to other people’s expectations or remain true to one’s core beliefs. This offered a foundation of integrity and formed the basis of all other forms of honest living.

Here are some remarkable aspects of authenticity:

5. Keep it Concise

A well-developed statement is probably an important component of your university application. Therefore, this comprehensive guide is an opportunity to demonstrate your unique features, life history and aspirations to the admission committee.

Moreover, when it comes to providing an essay that stands out, there is a need to ensure that it is written interestingly and coherently and let it remain on topic. Here are some of the suggestions that can help you achieve this:

• Ensure that there is no room for ambiguity.
• Provide your readers with relevant examples.
• Avoid needless information.
• Choose simple and straight-to-the-point words.

6. Think Outside the Box!

Do not restrict yourself with commonly known details about yourself but be brave and include little more creativity in your paper.

Here are a few helpful hints that will assist you in doing so:

• Refusal may be miserable, but reluctantly tell the admissions committee your fabulous and unique achievements.
• In ways that are explosive to emotions or stretch one's imagination, draw a picture on the spare part of the essay and tell a story instead of better structuring it.

Most people approach the task of doing something different as a way of trying to succeed personally and professionally.

7. Use Proper Grammar and Spelling

In a personal statement, an applicant must pay attention to the structure of the essay, including spelling and grammatical conventions. To eliminate such mistakes, it is recommended to:

• Carry out a basic form to improve the writing of the essay.
• Utilise online resources for grammar and spell check.
• Seek feedback.

With these guidelines, students make sure that there will be no errors in answers to personal essay questions about grammar. It is also necessary to organise the document properly to be favourable to the admission board. In addition, you can also get samples from  legit essay writing firms in the UK   to understand the structure of personal essays for university applications. 

8. Revise Often and Edit

Here, we are going to look into the need to edit and revise the answers we have written for the personal essay questions. By following these strategies, you can make your essay stand out.

• Remove unnecessary elements and improve the organisation of your work.
• Make your arguments and their supporting evidence stronger.
• Improve grammatical errors and sentence fluency.
• Express more of who you are through words and speech.
• Rectify gaps and inconsistencies in your narratives.

Editing your essay requires you to also look at the spelling, grammar or punctuation of the essay. When doing so, particularly pay attention to grammar, punctuation, length of sentences, word choice, and consistency. 

How to start Editing your Essay?

Essay revision is checking the content, structure, and flow of the essay. While undertaking this process, take into consideration the following:

• Am I clear and focused in my thesis statement?
• Does the flow of my answers make sense?
• Do my anecdotes and examples of work support my points?
• Am I able to use the same voice/tone throughout the essay?
• Is there anything else that I could include to give more details?

9. Highlight Your Strengths

To stand out from other applicants, highlight your strengths in the essay. Before you put your pen on paper, spare a minute or two and try to recall particular events, achievements, and traits. To focus on your academic achievements, ask yourself:

• What are the specific achievements I have attained and the strong skills I possess in university?
• What are the objectives and aspirations I have about my career?
• What factors make me different from other people?

To highlight the strong points in your answer to personal essay questions, you can use examples and narratives. In addition, it is also advisable to highlight your soft skills and let your readers feel your passion and excitement.

10. Demonstrate Your Fit

A powerful piece detailing your personal experiences only works when you show how you fit into Georgia College and State University, its beliefs, and its aim. In addition, add the following salient features to your response to personal essay questions:

Background in Academia 

Talk about your academic history first, highlighting any academic projects that show your readiness for the school you are applying to. Give details of any awards, competitions, or activities that underscore your achievements in your area of study.

Experience That Matters

Mention any planned internships or previous work experience which is relevant to the degree or course you are looking for. Explain how these experiences shaped your career goals.

Link to the University

Why do you want to study at Georgia College and State University? Justify why you believe this particular university is the most suitable for you. Explain how you will be useful to the school community considering the faculty members, research facilities and university culture. 

Long-term Vision

Explain what the future is going to hold for you, particularly how you see the contribution you will make to the field of your choice after you finish the degree. Mention how your university education and experiences will create opportunities for you to achieve these goals and promote positive change as well. You may make arguments that positively reinforce yourself in terms of why you are a strong prospect for the program you are applying to. 

11. Get Started Early

It is very important to start dealing with the Georgia College and State University personal essay questions as soon as possible. If you plan early, you will have sufficient time to arrange and write the essay content and predictably proofread it. This is why it is necessary to commence at the earliest point.

Why, then, should you get started early? Here are some of the reasons:

• Stress is decreased when you start early!
• You'll generate more ideas if you give yourself more time to brainstorm!
• You may demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are serious about attending the university.  
• You are prepared to put in the time and effort to learn more about it by researching it and its core values.
• You'll have more time to proofread, edit, and refine your responses.

12. Seek Help When Needed

Assistance seeking is very important, particularly when responding to a personal essay question. One can feel immense pressure to perform well, and this is understandable. Furthermore, it’s important to recognise when you are stuck and need help. 

A teacher, mentor, or guidance counsellor offers support to craft a good paper. You can also  purchase your essay  from online resources that will lead to successful admission to your desired university. 

How to answer Georgia College and State University Personal Essay Questions?

Here are the tips for answering these question types;

• Do not be afraid of making your voice heard. 
• Structure a clear and interesting essay.
• Make use of the words and writing skills that you already have.
• Write about yourself. But don't try to encapsulate your whole life!
• Answer the question that has been asked.
• Read it over again!
• Write on the internet in a networked word processor.

What should be included in College and State University Personal Essay Questions?

It is best to talk about both positive and negative matters, a humiliating experience, or a quality or interest that exemplifies your values. If you are honest about the issue, character flaws, or sad childhood events, the reader will find it far more credible. 

In addition, it will exhibit your personal life experiences that the admission panel wants to know. So, by including all the information, you can fulfil the true objective of such essay types in application forms. 

The importance of the personal essay questions in the Georgia College and State University application process enables candidates to make the best impression and talk more about themselves. An effective essay can provide a student’s perspective to the admission committees, which are usually standardised, and help to distinguish them from everyone else. 

Moreover, students can show in their essays how well they will integrate themselves into the programs by spinning a good and well-organised narrative. Finally, submitting an excellent personal essay shows that the candidate is open and honest. In addition, the applicant understands what the university is all about and its values. 

Students who follow such practice can write a good manuscript, which allows them to develop their competencies and increase their chances of being accepted into university. Thus, they can begin their developmental, educational, and achievement-oriented journey and fulfil all their academic and career ambitions.

Chris Bates

More like this story:.

• Rediscovering Timeless Style: My Journey with Bronson Mfg
• Electric Fat Tire Bike Battery Guide: Understanding Voltage, Amp Hours, and Watt Hours
• Common Vaping Habits: How Users Personalize Their Experience

Wednesday, September 04, 2024

Most popular.

Ventnor City Yardsale Map and List

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's events.

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.

• Tools & Services
• Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering
• Civil and Construction Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering
• Nuclear Science and Engineering
• Biological & Ecological Engineering
• Alumni & Partners
• Alumni & Industry

Graduate Programs: Applying for Admission

Applying for admission.

• Application for Graduate Admission is found at:   https://oregonstate.force.com/AppLogin . Materials must be submitted electronically; paper applications are not accepted.  
• Mail the following to:  Graduate School, Oregon State University, Heckart Lodge, 2900 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331-2121, USA; 541-737-4881;  [email protected]
• * Current and former Oregon State University students are not required to provide OSU transcripts.
• International Official academic records:  Oregon State requires official academic records and statements of all degrees earned from all institutions attended after high school. Academic records should arrive in our office in a sealed envelope issued by the school and should bear the original stamp or seal of the school official responsible for issuing such records, such as the registrar or controller of exams for that institution.  Faxed, scanned, and notarized copies are not considered official and will not be accepted.  Records certified by lecturers, professors, or any other school officials who do not hold primary responsibility for maintaining the academic records of the institution will not be accepted.
• Translations:  Academic records from non-US institutions are expected to be in an official language of the country in which they were earned. English language translations are also required. We will accept literal (not interpretative) English translations from any qualified translator, and they should be sent in addition to (not in lieu of) the official academic record.
• Note for applicants from India:  Where possible, Oregon State requires the annual mark sheets and degree statements issued and certified by the university issuing the degree, not the affiliated or constituent college attended. Mark sheets issued by colleges are accepted only when university mark sheets are not yet available.  Do NOT send intermediate or higher secondary school records.
• Official TOEFL scores will need to be submitted electronically to the Graduate School  prior  to the start of your first term of enrollment. The Graduate School will be able to electronically confirm IELTS scores.
• One photocopy of official GRE scores.  If admitted , official scores must be received by the Graduate School prior to the start of your first term of enrollment.
• Financial certificate with supporting documentation, demonstrating sufficient financial resources for the desired academic program. (International applicants, please read  Finances and Funding for International Students at OSU .)  The financial certificate can be sent later after the admission decision is made.  
• Transferring to OSU from Another School We do not have a separate application procedure for applicants who are currently pursuing a graduate degree at another university and want to transfer to our graduate program. These applicants should follow our normal application directions. Information about transferring credits can be found in our course catalog:  catalog.oregonstate.edu .  
• If you previously applied and your application was rejected, we encourage you to reapply if you have made successful progress with your language scores, have an improved GPA, or have additional work experience. Offers of admission will be made on a case by case basis by EECS faculty.
• To re-apply you must submit both the OSU and EECS online applications again and update any documents that are now incomplete or expired. The Graduate School retains application materials for two (2) years.
• All questions regarding documents previously submitted must be directed to the Graduate School.  
• Visa Questions The visa process does not begin until after an applicant has been admitted by both the School of EECS and the OSU Graduate School.

All visa questions should be addressed to the  Office of International Services . Office of International Services Oregon State University 1600 SW Western Blvd - Suite 130 Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States Phone: 541-737-6310 Fax: 541-737-6226

Second man admits in court he received about $600 a month to visit Oregon businesses he then sued for disability access violations

• Updated: Aug. 30, 2024, 8:04 a.m.
• | Published: Aug. 27, 2024, 5:23 p.m.

Justin Burley-Beaver told a judge Tuesday that he filled out the court application contending to be an indigent plaintiff to avoid court filing fees and signed it, without disclosing the checks he received from a law firm to visit local properties that he later sued for ADA violations. Court Document

• Maxine Bernstein | The Oregonian/OregonLive

A second man who filed two dozen lawsuits against small businesses in Oregon alleging disability access violations admitted in court Tuesday that he received about $600 a month for visiting the locations and making the claims.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You had ordered Justin Burley-Beavers of Portland to appear before her and answer if he had truthfully filled out an application to proceed with his civil suit as an indigent plaintiff who should be exempt from court fees.

Burley-Beavers admitted in court he received a check for $200 from a Tennessee-based firm for each business he visited and typically visited three places a month. He was paid after providing proof of a receipt showing he had purchased something from each business, he told the judge.

Burley-Beavers acknowledged that he hadn’t reported the pay to the court on his Dec. 8, 2023, indigent application and wrote on the form that he hadn’t incurred any expenses in connection with the lawsuit. He said that was because he considered the checks to be reimbursement for the items or services he paid for at the businesses.

Burley-Beaver’s admission that he was paid to visit sites that he later sued followed another disabled man’s admission in federal court earlier this month that he too was paid by the same Memphis law firm.

Burley-Beaver’s local attorney Jessica Lee Molligan is facing a motion seeking sanctions against her, a malpractice suit and a state bar investigation stemming from the suits against small businesses alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The targeted businesses have been pushing back in court, saying they received legal demand letters from Molligan that they bring their properties into compliance with the federal law, made changes to their properties in good faith but are still sued and then asked to settle the suits for thousands of dollars in attorney fees.

Both Burley-Beavers and another disabled man are named as plaintiffs in the suits.

Burley-Beavers said he acted as a tester to see if businesses had proper access for disabled people. He would buy beef jerky if he visited a mini-mart or pay $60 to $80 to have a massage at a massage business and shared those receipts with the Tennessee law firm.

He said he also considered the checks to cover the cost of gas for his grandmother to drive him to and from different locations. Burley-Beavers is a double amputee who lost his legs at the age of 10 months due to meningitis.

“I received reimbursement but no actual income,” Burley-Beavers said, speaking via a video feed in court.

The judge pressed further. “The question is, had you received any checks?”

“The answer would be yes, then,” Burley-Beavers responded.

In the 2023 application submitted to the court, Burley-Beavers wrote that he received $750 in Social Security disability pay and “other” income of $280 a month.

Under questioning from the judge, Burley-Beavers said he has been “part-time employed” since January 2022 by the Memphis law firm and usually received an average of $600 a month in a check from the firm, Wampler, Carroll, Wilson & Sanderson.

He said Memphis lawyer B.J. Wade had told him that the indigent application he filled out “looked fine.”

Burley-Beavers is the named plaintiff in 24 suits filed in federal court in Oregon against small businesses, alleging disability accommodations violations, since 2023. Six of the cases remain pending. Others were dismissed voluntarily by Burley-Beavers.

Tuesday’s hearing came in a case initially filed by attorney David S. Foster on Burley-Beavers’ behalf on Dec. 14, 2023, against the owners of a property at 1125 N.E. 82nd Ave. that houses the Utopia Restaurant & Lounge. Foster withdrew from the case on June 29, and Molligan was substituted to represent Burley-Beavers, court records show.

Burley-Beavers alleged in his lawsuit that the property lacked clearly painted, designated parking spaces for disabled people, level pavement and an accessible entry for wheelchair users.

Molligan, who is under investigation by the Oregon State Bar’s disciplinary counsel for her role representing clients such as Burley-Beavers in the ADA violation cases, appeared in court Tuesday.

When the judge asked her if she had anything to add, Molligan initially declined. Then she asked how she should proceed if it appeared that her client may have filled out his indigent application improperly.

You indicated she’s likely to dismiss the lawsuit, since the information that Burley-Beavers initially provided to the court on his written indigent application wasn’t accurate.

“In my view, the $200 checks from a Tennessee law firm should have been accounted for,” You told her.

Another plaintiff who filed similar suits, Connor Slevin, told U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez in early August that he’d get a check from the same Memphis law firm. He’d get a list of two to five locations to visit a month and “was getting paid $200 a visit” after he signed a “representation” agreement with two lawyers from Memphis and one from Portland. The attorneys said in the agreement that they would file disability discrimination lawsuits in federal court on Slevin’s behalf.

Court records show Molligan filed more than 40 similar lawsuits against businesses in Oregon and the Memphis-based lawyers filed more than 200 nationally in what one federal judge likened to a “shakedown.”

Molligan declined to comment further after Tuesday’s hearing. A state bar investigation into Molligan is continuing, alleging she has violated professional conduct rules with the disability access suits.

Calls and emails seeking comment from the Memphis law firm or Wade weren’t returned.

A state bar rule of professional conduct bars lawyers from providing financial assistance to a client in connection with “pending or contemplated litigation.”

A 2019 Oregon State Bar ethics opinion also says an attorney “may not ethically” obtain from a client an “advance blanket authorization” over all settlement decisions, and any agreement between a lawyer and a client to delegate all settlement authority would violate state bar rules.

-- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, [email protected] , follow her on X @maxoregonian , or on LinkedIn .

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com .

Stories by Maxine Bernstein

• Ex-community college coach sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for enticing 16-year-old athlete to send him nude photos, videos
• Pilot who crashed into Oregon home reported ‘controllability’ problems on maintenance test flight, NTSB says
• Woman killed in house hit by plane was sleeping on second floor, Fairview neighbors say
• Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler blasts judge for delaying new police oversight board: Short-sighted and politically driven
• LGBTQ+ students who challenged Title IX’s religious exemption against gender discrimination lose appeal

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Request Info Visit Apply

• List of All Majors
• Arts and Social Sciences
• Engineering and Information Systems
• Health and Wellness
• Oceans and Coasts
• Science and Natural Resources
• Teacher Education
• In-Person Tours
• Prospective Student Events
• Admitted Student Events
• Virtual OSU: Live Events
• Virtual OSU: On Demand
• Living in Corvallis
• Tuition, Costs, and Financial Support
• WUE Overview
• Nonresident Tuition Equity
• Bridge to Success Program
• Scholarships
• On-Campus Living
• Diversity at Oregon State
• Campus Activities
• Campus Traditions
• Deadlines & Requirements
• Admitted Students

Test Optional Admissions

Oregon State University has a test-optional admissions policy for first-year students.

You can decide to submit standardized test scores if you think they add something of value to our review, or you can choose not to submit them if you want us to focus more intently on your high school record and other supporting documents.  The choice is yours.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the factors/items that osu considers in its admission review.

Oregon State University has a holistic admissions process which looks at the following items for each of our applicants, with the goal of identifying and admitting students who have the skills, abilities, and drive to succeed at OSU:

• Your high school grades
• Rigor of coursework, considered in the context of options at your school
• Grades in any college or dual-credit courses
• Information provided in your personal statement on the application
• Your responses to one of our available application essay prompts

Test scores, if submitted, are never the sole or primary reason for an admissions decision; they are always considered in context and as supplemental information.

OSU does not require letters of recommendation except when a student is appealing a denial, but will consider any recommendations provided.

When do I need to indicate if I plan to submit test scores as part of my application file?

You’ll be asked to tell us whether or not you will supply a test score at the time you apply for admission. This allows us to wait on making an admission decision until we’ve received a score, should you decide to submit, or to proceed once the other materials in your application have been received if you decide to apply test optional.

If you decide to submit an SAT or ACT score you’ve already taken, we prefer that you self-report them on the application, as this saves you time and money.

If you apply test-optional, but you’ve already sent us a test score, or they are included on your transcript, we will remove them from our review process.

We do ask all students who have taken a test to submit it if they decide to enroll.  This is simply for research purposes and cannot affect admission or financial aid. The SAT college code for Oregon State University is 4586. The ACT college code for Oregon State University is 3482.

What if I change my mind about submitting a test score after I apply?

If you indicated you would not be sending a test score and decide to do so before we’ve made an admission decision, you can let us know in your application portal. You may decide to add a test score during the appeal of a decision.

How will I be considered for scholarships without test scores?

Oregon State University is committed to making scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. Like the admissions decision-making process, test scores will not be used to disqualify students from scholarships unless otherwise indicated in our scholarship application system.

Are test scores required for scholarship or Honors College consideration?

Scholarship opportunities  are available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. Applying test-optional will not be disqualify students from scholarships unless otherwise indicated in our scholarship application system.

Admission to the Honors College  is competitive. Selection criteria for an incoming first-year student is based on cumulative unweighted high school GPA and the response to the essay question. SAT or ACT scores are optional but can be used to apply if students do not meet the minimum GPA requirement. The strength of courses taken in high school, as well as personal or academic attributes that will enrich the Honors community, are also considered.

Are test scores required for admission to specific programs?

Test scores are not required for admission to any programs at OSU. Your intended major is just for advising purposes and is not considered as part of an admissions decision.

If I apply test-optional, is there an essay or explanation required?

Students who apply test-optional will not be required to provide an additional essay or explanation. OSU only requires students to respond to one of the seven standard essay prompts. The Personal Statement is optional for all applicants.

How should I report my scores? Are official score reports required?

If you decide to submit an SAT or ACT score you’ve already taken at the time you apply, we prefer that you self-report them on the application. You can add or update test scores in your application portal after you apply as well.  OSU will validate self-reported scores.  Once an admission decision is made and before you enroll, we do ask for official score reports to be provided. This is simply for research purposes and cannot affect admission or financial aid. The SAT college code for Oregon State University is 4586. The ACT college code for Oregon State University is 3482.

Do you superscore ACT or SAT results?

We will consider the best composite score from an individual test date. We will not recalculate a new composite score from multiple test dates.

Do you require SAT Subject Tests?

SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission to Oregon State or any of our academic programs. Graduates of  non-standard or unaccredited high schools , or home-schooled students may decide to provide SAT subject tests for us to evaluate as part of their file, particularly if they do not have transferrable college credit.

Who do I contact if I have questions about this policy?

We invite you to reach out to your  admission counselor  or to contact the Office of Admissions at  541-737-4411  or  [email protected]  with any questions regarding the application process.