Undergraduate Admissions

The Common Application

First-year applicants to Ohio State's Columbus campus apply through the Common Application.

  • Ohio State also requires completion of Ohio State-specific questions, which you'll find on the Common Application.

    • Common Application questions

    Writing: Personal essay

    Ohio State requires a personal statement essay in response to one of the prompts provided. If you'd like to work on your response before beginning your application, here's a list of this year's essay prompts.

    Note: The Common App provides students with an opportunity to share their experience and the impact of community disruptions such as COVID 19 and natural disasters through a dedicated question on the application.

    Ohio State-specific questions

    General: Preferred admission plan

    Select "Early Action" if you are applying for autumn semester and plan to meet our November 1 early action deadline. Otherwise, select "Regular Decision."

    General: School-specific fee waivers

    If you have been given a fee waiver code for one of the programs listed, please select the program and enter your fee waiver code.

    Academics: Your planned major

    To learn more about Ohio State's majors, search Ohio State majors or read Undecided? if you're not sure what to major in.

    Academics: Opportunities beyond the undergraduate level

    Ohio State offers pre-professional programs in dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. Identifying your pre-professional interest on the application will enable your advisors to provide you with a wide range of support to realize your goals.

    Academics: Alternate campus (Ohio residents only)

    If you are not admitted to the Columbus campus, you will have the option of starting your Ohio State degree at a regional campus and changing to Columbus later. If you don't select an alternate campus, you will be automatically admitted to one based on your geographic location.

    Academics: Honors and Scholars Programs

    To be considered, we strongly recommend that you meet our November 1 early action deadline. On the application, indicate interest in the University Honors Program or Ohio State Scholars Program. If you wish to apply for the Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program, you must indicate interest in Honors or Scholars and complete the Eminence Application.

    Academics: Morrill Scholarship Program

    To be considered, we strongly recommend that you meet our November 1 early action deadline. On the application, indicate interest in the Morrill Scholarship Program and respond to the MSP essay prompt. Be sure to include leadership and diversity involvement under Activities.

    Application fee and fee waivers

    Before submitting your application, you will be asked for a $60 NONREFUNDABLE application fee. Ohio State accepts ACT, SAT, TRIO and other fee waivers meant to assist low-income families (the application will walk you through eligibility requirements). Please also see guidelines for application fee waivers.

    Planning to apply for financial aid?

    Supply your Social Security Number on your admission application if you plan to file the FAFSA and want Ohio State to receive it, or if you are the child of an Ohio State employee using the Dependent Tuition Assistance program.

  • You can submit the same Common Application to multiple institutions.

Create your account

If you haven't done so, create an account for the Common Application. Be mindful of which email address you choose, since Ohio State (and other colleges) will use it to communicate with you. Be sure to use one that you check regularly and you'll have access to after you graduate from high school.

Need help? Read this guide for first-time applicants.

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Apply now. Ready to complete the Common Application? Go to the Common Application.