Oakland University Undergraduate Admissions: A Comprehensive Guide

Oakland University (OU) offers a wide array of undergraduate programs and prides itself on fostering a tight-knit community. The university emphasizes a commitment to helping students unlock their potential and achieve success through hard work and dedication. This guide provides a detailed overview of Oakland University's undergraduate admission requirements for prospective students.

General Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to undergraduate degree programs should have completed high school-level college preparatory work or otherwise demonstrate sufficient academic preparation to begin college work. Consideration for admission is based upon an applicant’s academic background, including high school academic achievement, educational goals, and potential for success at Oakland University.

High School Coursework

Normally, high school courses should include, at a minimum:

Four years of English language arts
Three years of mathematics
Three years of science
Three years of social studies
Two years of foreign language

Students planning majors in the sciences, mathematics, engineering, or business are expected to present at least four years of preparation in math, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Normally, Oakland University will admit students with cumulative grade point averages in academic subjects of 3.20 or above. Applicants with cumulative grade point averages below 3.20 but above 2.50 may be admitted after consideration of the quality of their academic preparation. In some cases, a personal interview may be requested.

Standardized Tests: SAT and ACT

Oakland University hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores, it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Oakland University will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students.

SAT: The 25th percentile SAT score is 920, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1160. Oakland University will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Oakland University forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore.
ACT: The average ACT score at Oakland University is 25. The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29. By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT.

High School Equivalency: GED and HiSET

High school equivalency exams, the General Education Development (GED) test and the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) exam, are accepted in lieu of the high school diploma and ACT or SAT scores.

GED: GED students applying for admission to Oakland University must be at least 18 years old and have a GED score of at least 165 in each subject area (for a total score of 660 or higher). If you earned the GED prior to January 1, 2014, you may gain admission with a score of 55 or 550, depending on the test scoring system in place at that time. Please have your official GED score sent to Undergraduate Admissions when applying for admission.
HiSET: HiSET students must have a score of at least 15 on each subtest (for a total score of 75 and a score of 4 or higher on the Language Arts - Writing subtest.

Additional Considerations

Michigan Assured Admission Pact (MAAP): As part of the Michigan Assured Admission Pact (MAAP), Oakland University will offer admission to all Michigan high school graduates who have earned a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale). This applies to students who are applying for admission for the first fall semester following their high school graduation.
Home-schooled Students: Home-schooled students applying for admission need to supply a transcript and meet regular admissions requirements.
Downward Trend: If a final high school transcript reflects a significant downward trend in grades, Oakland University reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission.

Specific Academic Program Requirements

Specific academic programs may impose special requirements for admission.

Engineering and Computer Science

Entering freshmen planning to major in engineering or computer science should have taken at least four years of high school mathematics courses (maintaining a 3.00 or B average) as well as courses in chemistry and physics and have a solid background in English language arts. Computer-aided design and machine shop courses are useful, but not necessary.

Music, Theatre, and Dance

Students seeking admission to music, theatre, or dance must audition for the department’s faculty. Students who are eligible for admission to the university, but not to one of the above programs, may enter the university as undecided students, but may be able to qualify for admission into select programs after they have enrolled at the university.

Admission Types

Oakland University caters to a diverse range of students, each with unique academic backgrounds. The university recognizes several categories of applicants, each with its own set of requirements.

Entering Freshmen

Early/Middle college students are considered entering freshmen if they plan to attend OU immediately after receiving their high school diploma. Oakland University classifies students who complete college-level work prior to receiving their high school diploma as entering freshmen.

Transfer Students

Transfer students may enter Oakland University at any time, and must complete the university online application. Transfer students with a minimum of 24 college credits at the time of application, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, will be considered for admission to Oakland University. OU also will consider positive trends of most recent grades.

To be considered for transfer admission, students must submit an online application and send official transcripts of course-work taken at all universities or colleges attended to Oakland University. While some students may be admitted based on unofficial documents, this does not remove the obligation to provide official transcripts. Students who fail to provide official transcripts will be prevented from registering in subsequent semesters until all transcripts have been received. The transcript must bear the seal of the institution and must not be stamped “issued to student.” Students who have attended more than one college should submit official transcripts from each institution. Once admitted, transfer students will receive a preliminary transfer credit evaluation of coursework completed at other institutions.

As an incoming OU student, you may transfer up to half of the minimum credits required for your intended degree from a community college. OU accepts transfer credit from all regionally accredited institutions and some non-regionally accredited institutions. All students transferring to OU must earn at least 45 credits at Oakland University to complete a bachelor’s program. After you are admitted, you will receive an official transfer credit evaluation. All coursework completed with a 2.0 (or equivalent) or better grade is evaluated. You may use transferred courses for general education and major requirements. Academic departments will review transcripts for credits to be used toward major requirements by the end of your first semester at OU. OU participates in several community college transfer agreements, including the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).

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Dual Enrollment Students

Specially qualified high school students may be permitted to enroll in classes on a part-time, non-matriculating basis. Students who have exhausted their high school curriculum and wish to pursue course-work at Oakland University must complete the Dual Enrollment application. This form requires the signatures of a parent/guardian and a school counselor or principal. A copy of the student’s current transcript must accompany the Dual Enrollment application.

High school students wishing to attend Oakland University must have a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and have a minimum of junior standing. Admission is valid for one academic year provided the student earns at least a 2.0 in each course completed. Students wishing to take subsequent courses must reapply each academic year. Students whose high school will be paying for university tuition must submit a dual-enrollment worksheet to Student Financial Services, North Foundation Hall, Room 120.

Students with Interrupted Formal Education

Admission of individuals whose formal education has been interrupted for three or more years, and who would not normally meet other admission criteria, may be considered based on one or more of the following: sustained employment record; recommendations from employers, educators and other professionals; and standardized test results.

International Students

International students with or wishing to pursue an F or J visa should contact Undergraduate Admissions at least one year before they wish to be admitted. Students transferring credits from foreign institutions will be requested to provide an evaluation of credit taken at foreign institutions. When the application is approved, the candidate will receive a letter of admission and form I-20.

Citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and are transferring from other institutions must transfer their I-20 to Oakland University. Students requesting such transfers should consult with the international student adviser at their previous school and with the International Students and Scholars Office (248) 370-3358 about required transfer and immigration procedures.

Applicants who meet all other qualifications except for English proficiency requirements of the university may be enrolled in one or two semesters of the Global Achievement Pathway Program (GAPP) to take academic courses for credit and ESL courses for CEUs during the same semester.

International applicants, other visa holders, permanent residents, and exchange students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency.

Undergraduate English Proficiency Policy: A reasonable level of English proficiency is needed for students to be successful when completing an academic degree in the United States. All international applicants, other visa holders, permanent residents, and applicants whose first language is not English, must be proficient in English as a requirement to enroll in courses for credit at Oakland University.

Guest Students

Students enrolled in good standing at accredited Michigan colleges and universities may apply for guest admission at Oakland.edu/apply. Guest applications are only good for one semester, and they should be submitted as early as possible before the beginning of each semester students plan to attend as guests. To be considered for guest admission, a transcript (official or unofficial) from the student’s home institution must be submitted showing a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or higher. Guest students should review individual course descriptions in this catalog to determine they have met prerequisite requirements for registration. Guest students receive academic advising from their home institution, and they are responsible for ensuring the credits they take at Oakland University will transfer for their degree at their home institution.

Post-Baccalaureate Students

Post-baccalaureate (PB) status indicates that students hold a bachelor’s or higher degree and wish to enter college for the purpose of pursuing undergraduate classes. Under PB status, admission is as a special, non-degree candidate, and previous academic work will not be evaluated by Oakland University’s Registrar. Tuition for PB status will be assessed at undergraduate upper division rates.

Non-Matriculating Students

Applicants who wish to enroll in undergraduate courses but do not wish to be admitted to an undergraduate program may request non-matriculating status. Non-matriculating status may be provided to students with permission from Undergraduate Admissions. To obtain this status, students must contact the undergraduate admissions staff to discuss application procedures. Students admitted with non-matriculating status are limited to earning 12 credits in that status, and must secure traditional admission to the university in order to be eligible to register thereafter. To later be considered for traditional admission, non-matriculating students need to submit an online application and forward transcripts from all prior colleges and universities attended. Non-matriculating students will receive full academic credit for courses that they successfully complete.

Second-Degree Students

Second degree status indicates that students currently hold a bachelor’s degree but wish to earn a second undergraduate degree with a different major. Each academic department determines the specific admission criteria for second-degree students.

Readmission

Readmission applies to students who previously enrolled at Oakland University and whose attendance was interrupted. Student should contact Undergraduate Admissions or by calling (248) 370-3360, prior to the start of the semester in which the student expects to enroll. All other undergraduate students may return and register for classes without seeking formal readmission. Readmission to the university is not automatic for students dismissed because of poor academic performance. An application for readmission by a student who has been dismissed for insufficient academic progress is reviewed by the university’s Readmission Committee. Failure of a student to enroll once admitted, or not providing complete application credentials prior to the closing of admission, invalidates an application. Reinstatement of such files must be requested in writing or over the phone. The request must be received in Undergraduate Admissions by the closing date for applications for the semester students wish to enroll. Reinstatement may be for any term within one year of the original term of application. In this case, an additional application is not required.

How to Apply

Complete the online application.
Have your official high school transcripts sent to Undergraduate Admissions. If your school utilizes the Parchment service for transcript requests, you can click here to have your official transcripts sent directly to our office (or follow the instructions in this video). Please also arrange to have your final, official transcript (including date of graduation) sent to Undergraduate Admissions.
College transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. Oakland University will only accept transcript evaluations completed by a current member of NACES. Most students choose World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators or *SpanTran. *SpanTran will ensure that you select Oakland University's preferred evaluation report for your foreign university transcripts (course-by-course, with GPA).
Submit required financial documentation.

Additional Information

Appealing an Admission Decision: Oakland University carefully and thoughtfully considers all of the information applicants provide at the point of application. OU's application review process involves the careful reading and consideration of each applicant. A description of the new information (not already included in your original admissions application) that should be considered by the Director.
Financial Aid and Scholarships: To help you financially, OU offers payment plans, breaking up your semester tuition into small payments. More than 50 percent of students receive financial aid though loans, grants and work-study, worth more than $175 million annually. To be eligible for fall semester and merit-based scholarships, submit all required materials by March 1. Scholarships are awarded based on academic record, GPA, SAT, ACT, ect., at the time of admission. Scholarship awards are based on a student's academic record at the time of admission. International students who are citizens of Canada and Mexico may qualify for the Non-Resident Award from Undergraduate Admissions. The scholarship allows students to pay in-state tuition rates. Students who will enroll in summer courses should plan for additional financial support. Students should also budget an additional $4,000 per year for books, supplies and other personal costs. Students who plan to bring dependents on an F-2 visa, should add $6,500 (including insurance) per year for the first dependent and $4,900 per year for each additional dependent.

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