Freshman Admission Requirements

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) sets admission policies and enrollment limits.

Such policies are subject to change, therefore, students should consult with Admissions staff about current standards.

Qualifications

All freshman applicants must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

  • Completed Application for Undergraduate Admission and pay the non refundable $50.00 application fee or submit a completed fee deferral form.
  • Sealed official high school transcripts or GED scores.  Please go to the GED Testing Service site to request an official transcript.
  • Official SAT or ACT test scores (see below to determine what tests are required)
  • Sealed official college transcripts (if applicable)
  • Any other documents required per instructions below.

Grade Point Average

  • Students will be automatically admitted to EOU with a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 and all other requirements are met.
  • (Must complete with a minimum of C- or better in each area as EOU does not accept D’s as passing grades.)
  • Please refer to the special admission procedure outlined below if you do not meet the above requirements.

College Preparatory Subject Requirements

Entering first-year students must complete the following subjects by high school graduation, with a C minus or higher:

  • English (4 units)
    • Shall include the study of the English language, literature, speaking and listening, and writing, with an emphasis on, and frequent practice in, writing expository prose all four years.
  • Math (3 units)
    • Shall include first-year algebra and two additional years of college preparatory mathematics selected from geometry (deductive or descriptive), advanced topics in algebra, analytical geometry, finite mathematics, advanced applications, calculus, probability and statistics, or courses that integrate topics from two or more of these areas. (One unit is highly recommended in the senior year. Algebra and geometry taken prior to the ninth grade will be accepted.)
  • Science (3 units)
    • Shall include a year each in two fields of college preparatory science such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science, one recommended as a laboratory science.
  • Social Studies (3 units)
    • Shall include one year of U.S. history, one year of global studies (world history, geography, etc.), and one year of social studies elective (government is strongly recommended).
  • Second Language (2 units)
    • Two years of the same high school-level second language, or a C- or above in the third year of a high school second language, or two terms of a college-level language with a grade of C- or above, or satisfactory performance on an approved assessment of second language knowledge and/or proficiency. Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) is acceptable in meeting the second language requirement. Note: Students who graduated from high school prior to 1997 may replace the second language with 2 units of other college preparatory courses.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Eastern Oregon University gladly accepts your Advanced Placement scores. This Advance Placement table shows the credit and/or General Education credit awarded.*

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Eastern Oregon University recognizes IB achievement by awarding credit to students who score 5 or above on standard and higher level IB exams.

Students must indicate that they would like official test scores sent to EOU in order to award credit. Contact your IB Coordinator or IB North America to request score reports. 212-696-4464 | Order IBO Transcript Direct Link

Test Requirements

First-year applicants who have graduated from an accredited high school within three years must submit official SAT Reasoning or ACT scores. Test scores are used for eligibility for scholarships but are not a factor in the selection process for fully qualified applicants.  For students taking the redesigned SAT Spring 2016, the essay portion is optional.  The following are EOU codes to provide at the testing sites for EOU to automatically receive results:

  • SAT: 4300
  • ACT: 3460

Non-Accredited and Home Schooled Students

Students who did not graduate from a standard or accredited high school and home schooled students must qualify for admission by meeting the following standards:

  • A minimum composite score of 1070* on the new SAT Reasoning or 1470* on the old SAT Reasoning, or 21 on the ACT Enhanced AND an average 470 or above (1410 total) on three College Board SAT-Subject Tests (English/Literature, Mathematics Level 1 or 2, and a third test of the student’s choice).
  • *CollegeBoard redesigned the SAT exams in March 2016. The new SAT reports two section scores, Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math, on a scale of 200-800 each. The old SAT reports Critical Reading, Math and Writing, also on a scale of 200-800 each.

OR

  • Earn a General Education Development (GED) and meet the score requirements below.

For Non-Accredited and Home Schooled Students to be eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid at Eastern Oregon University, they must earn the GED or have completed 72 college credits.

General Education Development (GED)

If you earned a General Education Development degree (GED), follow the directions outlined below on the basis of when you received your certificate:

  • Received after December 2013, your standard score on each of the four examinations must be at least 150, with a total score of 680 or higher.
  • Received between January 2002 and December 2013, standard score on each of the five (5) examinations must be at least 410, with an overall average of 550.
  • Received before January 2002, standard score on each of the five (5) examinations must be at least 41, with an overall average of 55 or higher. *See below about language requirements within this time-frame.

*Applicants who received their GED in 1997 or later must also meet the second language requirement as described above.

Returning Adult Applicants

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1985 must meet the minimum GPA requirement for entering first-year students. The high school subject requirements are waived. Applicants who graduated from high school between 1985 and 1996 are required to have two years of college prep courses which may include second language, computer science, fine and performing arts or other college prep electives, which may be at the discretion of the admitting institution, include a comprehensive sequence of units in a vocational-technical area of study.

Individual Admissions Review

Students who believe they may not meet the admission requirements may petition the Admissions Committee by providing the following:

A Personal Statement

The personal statement is one of the most critical components of a successful petition for admission to EOU.   It must be typed, spell-checked and edited for grammar. Ask a teacher, counselor or co-worker to proof read your statement before sending it. Make sure it is your best version! In 500-700 words answer the following questions:

  • Explain your personal circumstances
  • Why have you chosen to apply to Eastern Oregon University
  • What changes have you made to improve your academic record
  • How do you plan to be academically successful at Eastern Oregon University

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of two letters must be submitted and must be written from someone other than immediate family members such as a teacher, principal, employer, coach, etc. They should explain their relationship with you and the probability for academic success at Eastern Oregon University.

Optional

Additional evidence of academic and community achievements and service. Student may submit resumes, awards/certificates, community service hours, etc.

The Admissions Committee will review each submitted portfolio and assess the probability of academic success and may prescribe coursework and remediation activities as conditions for enrollment. The Committee meets the third Friday of every month.  Submission of Individual Review Portfolio does not guarantee admission.

Students from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands

In addition to the above admissions requirements, students from the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau and Republic of the Marshall Islands are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by:

  • English proficiency as demonstrated by achieving 500 on the TOEFL, or 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL; a score of 5 on the IELTS, and satisfactory completion of level 112 in an English Language School.

Foreign Transcripts

Transcripts from non-U.S. schools can have evaluations done by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) accredited agency.

We recommend using World Education Services (WES) for these services.

  • High School transcripts require a document-by-document evaluation
  • College transcripts require a course-by-course evaluation

New Student Checklist

  • Complete application for admission
  • Send official test scores to EOU’s Office of Admissions
  • Request official transcripts are sent from your high school now and after graduation (final high school transcript), as well as all colleges you have attended.
  • Send proof of immunization records and health history to Student Health Center.
  • Print the checklist and start completing tasks