Admission to freshman standing (Apply online)
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. 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 and 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. 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. Students applying as freshmen must submit scores from the American College Test (ACT) or College Board SAT.
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. Students must submit an application, ACT or SAT scores, and an official copy of their high school transcript for an admission decision to be made.
Specific academic programs may impose special requirements for admission (see below). Admission to the School of Business Administration is restricted to students presenting a 2.80 grade point average in academic courses and at least four years of college preparatory mathematics courses.
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. Normally, a 3.00 (B average) is required for admission to the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
Students seeking admission to music, theatre or dance must audition for the department’s faculty. Audition dates are posted on their website.
Students wishing to enter the pre-nursing program should have completed four years of mathematics, one year of college preparatory biology and one year of chemistry, each with a grade of 2.80 or higher, in addition to presenting an academic grade point average of at least 3.20 and a score of 1020 or higher on the SAT (ACT minimum composite score of 20).
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. Students may complete an online application for admission through the Future Students website.
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. Even if an associate’s degree is earned prior to high school graduation, students are still considered entering freshmen.
Applications for high school students should be submitted as early in the senior year as possible, and no later than March 1 for merit scholarship consideration.
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer I session: April 1
Summer II session: June 1
Admission for transfer students (Apply online)
Transfer students may enter Oakland University at any time, and must complete the university online application. Applications should be submitted as early in the year as possible, and no later than December 1, for winter merit scholarship consideration, or August 1, for fall merit scholarship consideration. Prospective students with questions should contact Undergraduate Admissions, North Foundation Hall, Room 101, (248) 370-3360.
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. Transfer students with fewer than 24 college credits at the time of application also must submit a high school transcript, and admission will be based on both college and high school records.
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. Find out what credits will transfer to Oakland University by using the transfer equivalency guide located online.
Early/Middle college students are considered transfers if they decide to continue pursuing college work after receiving their high school diploma.
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer I session: April 1
Summer II session: June 1
Admission for dual-enrolled high school 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 verification to Student Financial Services, North Foundation Hall, Room 101. Dual enrollment applications are available in Undergraduate Admissions, North Foundation Hall, Room 101, or online.
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer I session: April 1
Summer II session: June 1
Transfer students
Students who wish to transfer to Oakland University should consult the Transfer student information section for information on admission and requirements.
Admission of students whose formal education has been interrupted
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. An interview with an Oakland University admissions adviser is required for such applicants to be considered for admission.
Admission for students who are not American citizens
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. Prospective international students can visit the website to view upcoming deadlines, apply online and download a supplemental application packet. 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. These are to be used to apply for the appropriate visa.
International applicants, other visa holders, permanent residents, and exchange students whose native language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. TOEFL, IELTS and MELAB requirements are available in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog.
Students who are not U.S. 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. Students holding all other visa types should consult the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to learn about admission procedures.
Admission deadlines for international students are as follows:
Fall semester: July 1
Winter semester: November 1
Summer semester: March 1
Admission to guest status
Students enrolled in good standing at accredited Michigan colleges and universities may apply for guest admission by filing the Michigan Uniform Undergraduate Guest Application form, which is available online or from the registrar’s office at their home institution. This form should be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions well before the beginning of each semester students plan to attend as guests. Tuition for guest students will be assessed at undergraduate upper division rates.
Guest students should review individual course descriptions in this catalog to determine any prerequisite requirements for registration. Some courses are restricted to Oakland University students who have been admitted to major standing.
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer I session: April 1
Summer II session: June 1
Admission to post-baccalaureate status
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. Post-baccalaureate students may not qualify for financial aid consideration at Oakland University.
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer I session: April 1
Summer II session: June 1
Admission to non-matriculating status
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. Tuition for non-matriculating status will be assessed at undergraduate lower division rates.
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer I semester: April 1
Summer II semester: June 1
Admission to second degree status
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. Tuition for second degree status will be assessed at undergraduate upper division rates (see Additional undergraduate degrees and majors).
Admission deadlines are as follows:
Fall semester: August 1
Winter semester: December 1
Summer semester: April 1
Updating your admission status
Failure of a student, once admitted, to provide complete application credentials prior to the closing of admission, or failure to register for classes, invalidates an application for admission. Reinstatement of such files must be requested in writing. 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. A new application is required after one year.
Readmission
Readmission applies to students who previously enrolled at Oakland University and whose attendance was interrupted. Student should contact Undergraduate Admissions, North Foundation Hall, Room 101, (248) 370-3360, prior to the start of the semester in which the student expects to enroll (see Readmission section under Academic Policies and Procedures).
Readmission is required for all students in the following categories:
Any student whose attendance has been interrupted for a period of six or more years, and/or
Any student who has been academically dismissed from the university for insufficient academic progress at the end of their previously enrolled semester/session. Students applying for readmission may submit a Readmission Application prior to the start of registration.
Students should submit a readmission application by the following deadlines:
Fall semester: July 1
Winter semester: November 1
Summer semester: March 1
Students who attended another institution during their absence from Oakland University should submit official transcripts from each college or university attended.
All other undergraduate students may return and register for classes without seeking formal readmission. Particular programs, however, may have more stringent requirements and students whose progress in a major has been interrupted should consult with an academic adviser.
Undergraduate Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions, located in North Foundation Hall, Room 101, provides support and services to prospective and admitted undergraduate students and their families through recruitment activities and on-campus programming, including Discover OU, Go for the Gold, Transfer Student Open House, College Credit Advising Days, Transfer Tuesdays, welcome receptions, college readiness events, academic visit days and campus tours. The office also awards merit scholarships to qualified admitted students. For more information visit Future Students, call (800) OAK-UNIV or email visit@oakland.edu.
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