How to Get Into Ohio State

How to get into Ohio State – General Information

Ohio State University is a large public research university located in urban Columbus, Ohio. The overall Ohio State enrollment is approximately 62,000, with an undergraduate Ohio State enrollment of about 47,000. 

What we’ll cover in this “How to Get Into Ohio State” guide:

  • The unofficial Ohio State GPA requirements
  • The optional Ohio State SAT requirements
  • Interpreting the Ohio State acceptance rate
  • How to meet the Ohio State application deadline
  • Answering Ohio admissions questions (in lieu of an Ohio State essay)
  • Ohio State enrollment statistics, and much more about the Ohio State admissions process! 

When thinking about how to get into Ohio State, make sure each part of your application is top-notch. This means studying to keep your GPA and SATs above the informal Ohio State GPA requirements and Ohio State SAT requirements. To boost your chances of making the Ohio State enrollment, start making your “how to get into Ohio State” plan well before the Ohio State application deadline. 

Figuring out how to get into Ohio State takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Want to maximize your Ohio State admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272. 

How can I get into Ohio State?

The Ohio State acceptance rate, Ohio State enrollment stats, and informal Ohio State GPA requirements suggest that it’s hard to make the Ohio State enrollment. Whether Ohio State is your dream school or you’ve only thought about an Ohio State application recently, your strategy for how to get into Ohio State will be very similar. 

To earn a spot in the Ohio State enrollment, strive to have the strongest academic profile that you can. This is especially important because there is no Ohio State essay. Therefore, challenge yourself by choosing the hardest courses offered at your school. Aim to surpass the Ohio State GPA requirements and Ohio State SAT requirements. This is how to successfully overcome the Ohio State acceptance rate and make the Ohio State enrollment!

Regardless of which Ohio State application deadline you choose, don’t get too caught up in the numbers. While the Ohio State acceptance rate and Ohio State enrollment figures matter, they don’t paint the whole picture. Your “how to get into Ohio State” plan should focus on the things you can control, like grades and extracurriculars.

How hard is it to get into Ohio State?

When creating a strategy for how to get into Ohio State, you’ll probably want to know the school’s rankings. Ohio State ranks #49 on the U.S. News’ list of Top National Universities and #17 on U.S. News’ list of Top Public Schools.

Your profile largely dictates your chances of making the Ohio State enrollment. Ohio State admissions could be more challenging if you choose a competitive major. Other factors such as geography matter too. For the class of 2021, 31% of the Ohio State enrollment was out-of-state, while 69% was from the state of Ohio.

Although the university is test-optional for 2022 and 2023, the middle 50% of SATs for the latest Ohio State enrollment were 1260-1420. For the ACTs, this middle range was 26-32. So, you should work as though the Ohio State SAT requirements span this range. 

In lieu of Ohio State SAT requirements and Ohio State GPA requirements, note that 64% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. So, to boost your chances of making Ohio State enrollment, aim to earn grades at the top of your class.

What is the Ohio State acceptance rate?

You’re not the only one applying to be part of the next class of Ohio State enrollment. For the class of 2021, 63,138 students applied to OSU, but only 33,247 were admitted. This means that the Ohio State acceptance rate was 52% for this Ohio State admissions cycle. 

Remember, the Ohio State acceptance rate does not measure the chances that you will be admitted. Each student’s Ohio State application has features that will improve its chances. For example, those who exceed the informal Ohio State GPA requirements stand a much better chance of making Ohio State enrollment.  

What are the Ohio State GPA requirements?

There are no published Ohio State GPA requirements. However, note that 64% of students accepted by Ohio State admissions are in the top 10% of their high school class. 

The unofficial Ohio State GPA requirements by college within OSU may also vary, though this information is not public. This said, given what we know about Ohio State admissions and Ohio State enrollment statistics, you should act as though the Ohio State GPA requirements are around 3.7.  

Want the best chance of making Ohio State enrollment despite the low Ohio State acceptance rate? Start by showing strong academic achievement throughout high school. Challenge yourself with rigorous coursework and earn high marks. The informal Ohio State GPA requirements and Ohio State SAT requirements are benchmarks. As you make your “how to get into Ohio State” plan, they give you a sense of how you compare to the Ohio State enrollment.

Regardless of which Ohio State application deadline you choose, academic success is essential. If you are applying Early Action, your junior year grades carry even more weight in the Ohio State admissions process. However, all of your high school grades are important if you’re serious about making the Ohio State enrollment. 

What does the Ohio State application include?

There’s more to completing the Ohio State application than just checking all the boxes. 

Want to know how to get into Ohio State? Make sure that each element of your Ohio State application is your best work. You must submit the Ohio State admissions requirements by the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline. A polished Ohio State application is key to your strategy for how to get into Ohio State. Plan to complete it well before the Ohio State application deadline. 

Applicants must submit:

  • The Common Application
  • Two teacher recommendations 
  • A secondary school report
  • Counselor recommendation
  • A midyear report (after your first semester grades)
  • A final school report (for admitted students only)
  • Application fee

There is no Ohio State essay. Instead of an Ohio State essay, Ohio State admissions will only read your Common App essay.

For more tips on how to ace the Common App, click here. 

Ohio State has instituted a test-optional policy for students applying for admission in 2022 and 2023. For more information on Ohio State SAT requirements, click here. 

What extracurriculars do I need for Ohio State?

Extracurriculars can help boost your “how to get into Ohio State” plan. 

When choosing the next Ohio State enrollment, Ohio State application readers look for students with varied backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Show your extracurriculars in your candidate profile and Common App essay. Since there is no Ohio State essay, the rest of your application matters even more.

There are no right or wrong activities to choose from. Just make sure you work hard, show leadership, and stay passionate. And don’t forget to start pursuing your chosen activities early!

When thinking about how to get into Ohio State, put aside the informal Ohio State GPA requirements, assumed Ohio State SAT requirements, and Ohio State acceptance rate. Think about the other qualities Ohio State admissions looks for when crafting the Ohio State enrollment. Ohio State admissions evaluates you based on your potential to excel and make the campus a better place. 

The short answer to how to get into Ohio State is “be authentic.” The Ohio State admissions office will be impressed by a candidate who explores their passions, serves, leads others, and gets involved in their community. 

Read more about how to use your extracurriculars to improve your chances of Ohio State enrollment here. For more on developing the depth and breadth of your extracurricular activities, watch this webinar.

Are there any Ohio State essays?

Ohio State admissions does not require an Ohio State essay in your Ohio State application. Instead of an Ohio State essay, students must complete the Common App essay as part of their Ohio State application. 

Although there is no Ohio State essay, there are Ohio State application questions. The questions ask about things like your intended major and interest in pre-professional programs. 

If you are applying to the Honors Program, Scholars Program, Eminence Scholarship, or Morrill Scholarship, you must submit an Ohio State essay as part of your Ohio State application. Learn how to write the Morrill Scholarship Ohio State essays here. When working out how to get into Ohio State, review the requirements for these programs to see if you are eligible. 

In summary, even without an Ohio State essay requirement, there are plenty of opportunities to show Ohio State admissions who you are.

How does Ohio State admissions review applications?

Figuring out who gets in is a key part of determining how to get into Ohio State. 

According to the Ohio State admissions page, Ohio State admissions evaluates Ohio State applications holistically.

They seek students who:

  • Submit an application that demonstrates that they are prepared for academic rigor
  • Are willing to lead
  • See strength in diversity of people and ideas
  • Seek collaboration when solving problems
  • Make use of all opportunities to figure out what kind of impact they want to have on the world

Additionally, information from the 2020-2021 Common Data Set can be a valuable tool as you work out how to get into Ohio State.

Ohio State admissions ranks the following as “very important” factors in their decision:  

  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores (if submitted)

Click here to read about those factors which Ohio State admissions considers “important” and “considered.”   

Ohio State applications are not evaluated for demonstrated interest. There is also no option to complete an interview. 

Will Ohio State consider my social media accounts?

While thinking about how to get into Ohio State, you may worry about how your social media presence might affect your Ohio State admissions odds. Ohio State admissions officers receive tens of thousands of applications each year, so they usually don’t have the time to check socials. 

However, you shouldn’t post offensive or irresponsible content on social media regardless. Even beyond the Ohio State application process, you should use social media responsibly. 

Ohio State likely won’t read your Twitter or check your Instagram, but there’s always an outside chance. The Ohio State acceptance rate is low, and you don’t want to do anything that might reduce your chances of making the Ohio State enrollment. So, our final recommendation is to play it safe.

Lastly, remember that Ohio State’s social media can be an excellent way for you to learn about campus life.

Is Ohio State a good school for me?

When strategizing how to get into Ohio State, you should also work out whether you want to join the Ohio State enrollment. If Ohio State admissions accepts your Ohio State application, you’ll have the chance to spend four years at OSU, so you should know if this school is right for you. 

To do this, research the major you intend to study, other academic programs you could pursue, the feel of the campus community, opportunities for research, and other ways you will spend your time. Each applicant for Ohio State admissions is different. 

The Ohio State enrollment is large, and the campus is in an urban environment. Consider the many opportunities to get involved in the broader Columbus community—internships, co-ops, service, and other ways to immerse yourself. 

One of the best ways to discover whether Ohio State is for you is to go visit campus. Attending an information session and taking a campus tour are two excellent ways to learn more about OSU. Don’t be shy, and make sure to get your questions answered! 

If you aren’t able to go in person, consider a virtual campus tour. Talking to former or current students is another way to learn more about OSU when trying to determine how to get into Ohio State. 

Additional tips to get into Ohio State

Start early

The Ohio State application deadlines can sneak up on you, especially if you are applying Early Action. The sooner you begin planning how to get into Ohio State, the more time you have to improve your profile, activities, and Common App Ohio State essay.

Build your profile

Your candidate profile is yet another factor that will help you make Ohio State enrollment despite the low Ohio State acceptance rate. It is the narrative you tell through your extracurriculars, service, and projects. How does what you do show who you are and what is important to you?

This guide was written by Caroline Marapese, Notre Dame ’22. If you want to know how to get into Ohio State, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.