Undergraduate Admissions

After you apply

Activate your username and password

Within three days of applying, you will receive an email from Ohio State acknowledging receipt of your application that includes your OSU ID and Ohio State username (lastname.#).

  • Follow the instructions in the email to activate your Ohio State username (lastname.#). This will give you access to your Applicant Center where you can check on the status of your application.

  • Use your OSU ID in correspondence with us about your application.

  • If you have problems activating, contact our IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357 or help@osu.edu.

Check your application status

Log in to your Applicant Center to check the status of your application and all requirements. Required application materials must be received by Ohio State by the application deadline.

Applicant FAQ

Log in to your Applicant Center and click Application Status to view your admissions status and any incomplete To Do items.

There are two likely possibilities:

  1. Lag time: When transcripts, test scores, fees or other items are submitted, they must be processed and matched to your application. It can take up to 10 days for us to complete this step. 

  2. Problem with an item: If we receive an item but it does not meet our requirements, it will be listed as "incomplete." Log in to your Applicant Center and click Application Status to view details about incomplete To Do items.

Once an item is processed, it will be marked “complete” or it will no longer appear in the To Do List.
As long as an item is received by midnight (EST) of your deadline day, we will count it as being on time, even if we haven’t finished processing it.

Watch for your admission decision

Your decision will first be posted in your Applicant Center, so keep an eye on that for the most up-to-date information. See decision terms in the callout on this page.

First-year applicants – 2026 autumn term entry

Application completion deadline Decision release Reply date
Early action Nov. 1 Dec. 12 for all Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants
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Jan. 23 for all non-Ohio residents and international applicants		 May 1
Regular decision Jan. 15 March 6 May 1

First-year applicants – 2026 spring term entry

Application completion deadline Decision release Reply date
Nov. 1 rolling 3 weeks after offer of admission

Start your Scholarship Universe profile

International students are encouraged to look for scholarships on Ohio State's Scholarship Universe platform. For example, you may be eligible for funds from your local alumni club. Start your profile now and submit any required applications by Ohio State's priority date (February 1).





Decision terms

Admit: Congratulations on being admitted! A notice about specific college enrollment and next steps is on the way.

Defer: We have not yet made a final decision. Following the application deadline, deferred applications are reviewed a second time, with consideration to academic performance, competitiveness of the applicant pool and available space. Please check your email (we use the address you provided on your application) for any notifications of required action items.

Deny: Admission was not granted. Apply again later as a transfer student from another college or university.