Incoming Freshman

At Southern Oregon University, we are test-optional! Our admission decisions are based on a holistic review of all information, both academic and personal, presented in your application.

Applicants should have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and complete the following college preparatory subjects with a C- or better:

• English (4 years)
• Mathematics (3 years: 1 year each of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)
• Science (3 years: 2 years of a lab science)
• Social Sciences (3 years)
• Second Language (2 years of the same language)

Applicants who feel they fall below our averages or who may not meet minimum requirements are encouraged to submit any or all of the following with their application for admission:

• Letters of recommendation (from academic sources)
• Writing sample
• Resume
• Other supporting materials

2019/2020 Admitted Freshmen Averages:

Effective March 2020, we have adopted test-optional admissions. For reference, our students’ average academic profile for fall 2019 entry is as follows.

• GPA: 3.33
• SAT: 1020 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math)
• ACT: 22 (composite)

Students who have earned a GED are not required to submit SAT scores, ACT scores, or high school transcripts.

The date of your GED score makes a difference:

• If you earned your GED after 2013, your standard score on each of the four exams must be at least 150, with a minimum total score of 680.
• If you earned your GED between January 2002 and December 2013, your standard score on each of the five exams must be 410, with an overall average score of at least 550.
• If you earned your GED before January 2002, your standard score on each of the five exams must be at least 40, with an overall average score of at least 58.
• Additionally, if you earned your GED in the spring of 1997 or later, you must also demonstrate second language proficiency.

Application review for home-schooled students and students from non-accredited high schools is a holistic process.  Please provide as many of the following as possible for us to consider:

• Completed SOU application
• Transcripts (high school and college)
• SAT/ACT or SAT II’s
• Essay
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Resume