Applying to OU
Where to Apply
Incoming freshmen can apply one of three ways to the University of Oklahoma, either through the OU Application, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. All applications are thoroughly read by an admissions counselor and are evaluated holistically regardless of application type.
Please choose only one application and continue using that application throughout the entire process.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- AUGUST 1
The OU Application, the Common Application, and the Coalition Application Open
- OCTOBER 1
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Opens – Encourage students to fill out the FAFSA. 75% of OU’s students who apply for financial aid receive some type of financial aid.
- NOVEMBER 1
OU's Early Action Admission Deadline
- DECEMBER 15
Priority Scholarship & Priority FAFSA Filing Deadline - Encourage students to submit their admissions application by the December 15 priority deadline to ensure they are considered for general freshman scholarships and submit the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid resources.
- FEBRUARY 1
Final Application Deadline
- MAY 1
Enrollment Deposit Deadline
- JUNE 15
Deadline to Schedule New Sooner Orientation
It is always best to encourage students to apply early to hear back sooner on admissions and scholarships. The longer they wait to apply, the longer they have to wait to hear a decision.
How to Apply
Students will need to submit either the OU Application, Common Application, or Coalition Application. All applications are thoroughly read by an admissions counselor and are evaluated holistically regardless of application type. Students should choose only one application and continue using that application throughout the entire process. If a student is deciding between the Common Application or Coalition Application, we recommend that students look at which schools are a part of each application and choose the one that has more schools listed that they are applying to.
OU Application:
The OU Application is an application specific to the University of Oklahoma. If the student wishes to apply only to OU or a small amount of schools that aren't listed on the Common Application, we encourage them to complete the OU Application instead of the Common Application.
Once the Office of Admissions & Recruitment has received the student’s application and supporting documents, they will evaluate and verify academic credentials. Students should receive a notification of their admission decision through regular mail within 4 to 6 weeks.
Common Application:
OU is part of the Common Application. Students can only apply online at commonapp.org. Over 700 other institutions use the same application
The Common App simplifies the process for students applying to more than one university by allowing the submission of a standardized admission application to any of the more than 600 Common App member colleges and universities. This eliminates the need to complete separate forms and essays for each college.
Coalition Application:
OU is also part of the Coalition Application. Students can apply online at coalitionforcollege.org. The Coalition is a diverse group of more than 140 distinguished colleges and universities that is committed to making college a reality for all high school students through our set of free online college planning tools that helps students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college.
Similarly to the Common Application, the Coalition Application simplifies the process for students applying to more than one university by allowing the submission of a standardized admission application to any of the more than 140 Coalition App member colleges and universities. This eliminates the need to complete separate forms and essays for each college.
By submitting either the OU Application, Common Application, or Coalition Application, a $40, non-refundable application fee for domestic applicants will be included.
Alumni Fee Waiver Code:
The OU Office of Admissions and Recruitment is asking for you to join us in an innovative program. With your recommendation, we will waive the $40 application for one prospective freshman you think would be a great fit for OU*.
The process of providing a prospective freshman an OU application fee waiver is simple!
You should have received an email from the Alumni Association with a one-time fee waiver code. If you did not receive the email or know another alum who needs a code, contact the OU Alumni Association at alumni@ou.edu.
After you’ve identified a great prospective freshman, share your one-time code listed with the prospective freshman and tell them to enter that code in the University of Oklahoma section of the Common Application along with your first and last names when prompted.
*While your alumni referral is greatly appreciated, we are required to tell you that referrals do not guarantee admission to the University of Oklahoma. OU utilizes a holistic admissions review process and prospective freshmen are evaluated on their academic merit, as well as a number of other factors.
Make sure OU has supporting application documents:
- Official high school transcript
- Test scores, either self-reported or official test scores sent to us through ACT and/or The College Board. Test scores may also be included on the student's official high school transcript. For students applying for the fall 2021 through fall 2025 semesters, OU will practice a test-optional admissions process when reviewing applications.
- Letter of recommendation (optional)
- Official copies of any AP or CLEP test scores
As part of the Common Application and the OU application, students will be asked to write one essay between 250 and 650 words. Students must stay within that word count. Students will be asked to write a response to your choice of one of the five prompts listed below. This essay is designed to demonstrate each student’s ability to write clearly and concisely and help set each application apart.
- 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 failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Supplemental Essay Questions for Scholarships
In order to be considered for certain OU scholarships (those based on leadership, community involvement and specific to certain degree programs), students will also need to complete two to three additional short-answer questions as part of a Common App supplement for OU.
- The University of Oklahoma believes strongly in educating leaders of communities in Oklahoma and across the world. Please share your leadership experiences and why they are important to you.
- The University of Oklahoma is the home of a vibrant, diverse and compassionate University community that is often referred to as “the OU Family”. Please describe your cultural and community service activities and why you chose to participate in them.
- What is your career area of interest, and why do you have a desire to work in this particular field? (This third, academic-based question is asked by certain academic departments. Therefore, it may or may not appear in your scholarship section depending on the academic preferences you list in your application.)
Letter of Recommendation - One letter of recommendation is recommended and two additional letters may be submitted.
- Any high school official, including a counselor, teacher, principal, etc. can write the letter of recommendation. Preferably someone who knows the student well.
Students will need to know the name and email address of their preferred recommender so he/she can be contacted about composing the letter of recommendation.
