Undergraduate Admissions

After you apply

Activate your username and password

Within three days of applying, you will receive an email 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 +1-614-688-4357 or 8help@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 deadline.

Applicant Center FAQ

Log in to your Applicant Center. Once you’re logged in, look for two things:

  1. On the left under Admissions, you’ll see a link to Application Status. Click that to view the status of your application. Next, click on the link under “Status” to view application details, application requirements, and your education and test score summary.

  2. On the right, you’ll see a section called To Do List. If there are items listed there, click “More” for all available details, including any follow-up comments from Undergraduate Admissions.

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, we will add a “Comment” to your Applicant Center telling you what we need. You can find the comment by logging in and clicking the “More” link in the To Do List.

Once an item is processed, it will be marked “complete” or it will no longer appear in the To Do List. Even after an item is processed, continue to monitor the To Do List in case we require additional documents.
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.

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.


Freshman – 2023 autumn term entry

Application completion deadline Decision release* Reply date
Early action Nov. 1 Dec. 9, Jan. 20 May 1
Regular decision Feb. 1 Feb. 17, March 24 May 1

Students admitted after mid-April will have three weeks to pay an acceptance fee.

* subject to change


Freshman – 2023 spring term entry

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

Decision terms

Admit: Congratulations, you have been admitted to Ohio State! A notice about enrollment requirements and information about specific college enrollment is on the way.

Defer: After an initial review of your application, we have not yet made a final decision. Please check your email (we use the address you provided on your application) for any notifications of required action items.

Deny: You have not been selected for admission. You may apply again later as a transfer student from another college or university.