Apply to Ohio State

How do I submit scores?

Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2024 and 2025 applicants. Please read the Testing FAQs.

Tips for sending scores to Ohio State

• Scores must come directly from the testing agency. When you register for the ACT or SAT, indicate that you want your scores sent to Ohio State. Ohio State only considers composite scores. If you already took the test but didn't send your scores to Ohio State, you can order them for a fee.

• We must receive scores by your application deadline (see STEP 2 for deadlines).

• October 7 (SAT) and October 28 (ACT) are your last 2023 test dates if you want your scores to be considered for autumn term early action or spring term (both have a November 1 deadline).

  Note!

  • If you plan to test on either of those dates, you must request that Ohio State receive scores when you register for the test.
  • You won’t be able to review scores from these dates prior to submitting your application by the November 1 deadline.

• The submission of test scores is optional for 2024 and 2025, but you're also not required to submit scores if you will have been out of high school for two or more years by your term of enrollment.

Is the essay required?

The essay is not required for either the ACT or SAT.

Should I take a standardized test more than once?

Ohio State looks at the highest composite score from a single test date. Taking the test (and having scores sent to us) more than once, while not required, may work to your advantage.

Do I qualify for a test fee waiver?

If your family has economic need, talk to your school counselor to determine your eligibility for a fee waiver.

How does Ohio State look at scores?

When considering students for admission, scholarships, or Honors and Scholars selection, we consider the best official composite / combined score from a single test administration. Ohio State does not mix sub-scores from multiple tests or adjust scholarship values for higher test scores submitted after the scholarship’s published deadline.

Deadlines

(Looking for summer semester? Ohio State doesn't accept first-year applications for the summer term.)

November 1: Early action (autumn term only)

What is early action?

We must receive your complete application (the Common Application and all required materials) by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 1 if you wish to be considered for most university merit scholarships (larger awards require additional steps).

And while not required, we strongly recommend meeting the November 1 deadline if you wish to be considered for majors in the College of Engineering, the Morrill Scholarship Program, Honors and Scholars Programs and the Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program.

By meeting the early action deadline, you’ll get an admission decision no later than the end of January.

February 1: Regular decision

For autumn term applicants, February 1 by 11:59 p.m. ET is the final deadline by which we must receive your complete application. You’ll get an admission decision by the end of March.

Ohio State accepts the Common Application for admission to the Columbus campus.

Common Application: opens August 1 for autumn and spring term applicants

The Common Application, the application fee or fee waiver, plus all required materials (STEP 4) make up a complete application. We must receive all items by the application deadline.

These items, plus the Common Application and the application fee or fee waiver, make up a complete application. We must receive all items by the application deadline.

 Official transcripts

Learn how Ohio State considers pass/fail courses in our FAQs.

High school transcripts

Request that your high school counselor send your high school transcript, including your senior year course schedule, to Ohio State (electronically, if possible).

If this course work was completed at a school outside of the United States, note that foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator or a teacher of the language. Any additional requirements will be posted to your Applicant Center, so be sure to check your application status regularly after you've applied.

 Official ACT or SAT scores

Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2024 and 2025 applicants. Please read the Testing FAQs.

How do I submit my scores?

We must receive your official ACT or SAT score sent directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered. Read more about score requirements in STEP 1.

 Verification, if home schooled

Home-schooled applicants must submit an approved “excuse from attendance” verification (or equivalent) provided by a local school district or state official. Alternatively, Columbus campus applicants may submit ACT or SAT scores instead.

 Optional: Recommendation from a teacher or counselor

While not required, your counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common Application or through an electronic system such as Naviance.

If an electronic option isn’t available, your counselor may email your letter(s) to esue-studugt@osu.edu. The letter must include your first and last name and OSU ID number, found on the email we send acknowledging receipt of your application. Letters sent via email are subject to sender verification.

 Additional test scores

If English is not your native language, submit one of the following scores:

• TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based test Home Edition*): 79 or higher

• IELTS or IELTS Indicator*: 6.5 or higher

• ACT: 21 or higher on the English section

• SAT: 27 or higher on the Reading Test

• Duolingo*: 105 or higher

You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.

Ohio State has an intensive English program for students who wish to improve their language skills called the American Language Program. A separate application is required for this program. Ohio State does not offer conditional admission to students who enroll in the American Language Program.

*To accommodate applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University will accept Duolingo, the IELTS Indicator and the TOEFL internet-based test Home Edition from any international student applying for spring 2023 or autumn 2023 admission. All Duolingo test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival to campus. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival unless they qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS score exemption.

Don't forget financial aid

The FAFSA will open in December this year, and filing by Ohio State’s priority date of February 1 will provide you maximum aid consideration. Every student is highly encouraged to file the FAFSA to be considered for the most financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans and Federal Work-Study. Get important dates and simple steps for applying for aid.

No, we do not review or accept applications at time of admission to Ohio State. Your application to Ohio State does not go to the Department of Art, but rather it goes to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applications from students interested in an undergraduate degree in Studio Art are evaluated using the same process as other undergraduate programs. 

Students are recommended to take the ACT or SAT and submit test scores if they are available, as the university believes that standardized test scores provide useful information and predictive value about a student’s potential for success at Ohio State.

However, with that said, applicants who do not have scores, have limited opportunities to test more than once, or feel that their scores don't reflect their ability to be successful at Ohio State should select the "do not consider ACT or SAT scores" option when completing the Common Application. If you choose to not have scores submitted, you will still receive full consideration in the admissions process and in review for scholarships, direct enrollment to your college or school, Honors and Scholars Programs, and the Morrill Scholarship Program

Absolutely! We would be happy to give you a tour of the Department of Art and answer any questions that you may have.

If you are interested in one of our undergraduate programs and would like to schedule a time to visit the Hopkins Hall, view our facilities, and meet with a Department of Art Staff member, please reach out to us at art@osu.edu

In your email to us, please let us know when you would like to schedule a tour and if there are any of our areas of focus that you are particularly interested in. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred tour date and time. 

In addition to touring our department, we would also recommend setting up a general campus tour. You can do so here: Future freshmen | Visit Ohio State (osu.edu). This tour will give a wonderful overview of campus, student life, and applying to Ohio State.

If you are unable to make it onto our campus for an in-person tour, we invite you onto a virtual tour of campus!