Any applicant who does not satisfy the minimum requirements or alternatives for admission consideration may petition to the Undergraduate Admissions Committee (UAC) for an exception. Extended admission decisions will be determined by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee and are subject to Oregon University System guidelines for special admissions. Participation in the extended admission process does not guarantee admission. Each petition is assessed on an individual basis.
You must supply the following 4 items listed below. Specifically address the circumstances that prevented you from meeting OSU’s admission criteria. Note that for Freshman/First year students a GPA (grade point average) below 2.50 cumulative must have documentation to support extraordinary circumstances that were beyond your control. For both Freshman/First year and Transfer students a cumulative GPA below 2.00 will not be considered by the UAC until you have attained a 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA at the community college level.
The following materials are required:
- A personal letter requesting special consideration. Your letter must specifically address the extraordinary circumstances why you did not meet OSU's admissions requirements and why you believe you should be admitted as an exception to the regular admissions requirements. Also address what you have done or are doing to mitigate the impact of your extraordinary circumstances, what are your strengths, why you have chosen OSU, your academic and/or career goals, how you feel you have prepared for those goals, and any other information that you feel would help the committee to understand your unique situation and explain your special circumstances.
- Your University application file must be complete with the most current official transcripts on file with the Office of Admissions for all high school and college work.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic sources are required. Your academic sources may be classroom teachers, counselors, or academic instructors. Letters from employers, relatives, family, or friends will not be considered. Each letter should identify the writer's acquaintance with you and needs to address your potential for academic success at Oregon State University.
- Any other information that you feel would be relevant or helpful to the Committee, such as medical documentation, additional test scores, etc.
All correspondence should be directed to:
The Undergraduate Admissions Committee
c/o Office of Admissions
Oregon State University
104 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-2106
Within 72 hours after the meeting at which your petition is reviewed, the committee's action will be communicated to you by mail.
Petitions will not be considered if received in our office after the deadlines noted below. If any information for your petition packet is received in our office after the deadline your petition will not be considered for that term and will become inactive.
Reactivation of an application for a subsequent term is not automatic.
If you wish to change your application term, please go to the following website prior to the application deadline (found on the admissions web site) and fill out a change request form and click on ‘change your admit term’. Your application fee is effective for one academic year (for example, from Fall Term 2006 up to and including Fall Term 2007).
Should you wish to discuss your situation further, please contact an Admissions staff member at 541-737-4411, or toll free at 800-291-4192.
