State & Private College Process

State College Process

Oregon Public Universities

Please note! The University of Oregon GPA requirement is 3.4 as of Fall 2009. You can still apply if you do not have the required GPA by completing an essay. The essay is part of the application.

Admission requirements (there are exceptions, see your counselor and/or check with the college to which you are applying). Most in-state and out-of-state public universities usually require the following CORE subjects:

4 years of English
3 years of Social Studies
3 years of Math, through Advanced Algebra II or Integrated Math III
2 years of Lab Science, 1 year of Biological, 1 year of Physical
2 years of the same Second Language; Sign Language is accepted at the Oregon Public Universities, check with out-of-state college(s)

If you meet the GPA and CORE curriculum, you are accepted. Test scores are still required.

The Oregon Public Universities “D” rule:

To enroll in an Oregon Public University you must recover any “D” earned in a CORE curriculum area- English, Math, Science, Second Language, Social Studies. There are exceptions to this rule. Please see your counselor.

The Oregon Schools GPA/Test score requirements:

U of Oregon- 3.4 and SAT Reasoning or ACT.
Oregon State - 3.0 and SAT Reasoning or ACT.
Oregon Institute of Technology - 3.0 or 1000 SAT Reasoning (reading and math only) or 21 on ACT.
Portland State- 3.0 and or 1000 SAT Reasoning (reading and math only) or 21 on ACT.
Eastern Oregon- 3.0 and or 1470 SAT Reasoning in math, reading and writing.
Southern Oregon- 2.75 or 1010 SAT Reasoning (reading and math only) or 21 on ACT.
Western Oregon- 2.75 or 1010 SAT Reasoning (reading and math only) or 21 on ACT.
Community Colleges- no GPA, SAT, or ACT required; placement tests are suggested and can be taken at PCC or CCC.

Out-of-State Public Universities

Most out-of-state universities base admissions on meeting their GPA and CORE curriculum requirements plus the SAT Reasoning and/or ACT are required. Check with the admissions office or counselor if you have questions.

Some universities for example, University of California system, require 2 SAT subject tests- math and choice of second subject test, in addition to the SAT Reasoning. Check with the college for required tests.
The UC and California State Systems require 2 semesters of fine arts for admission in the same sequence: Art I and II, Photo I and II, Acting and Scene Study. One year of Band, Orchestra, or Choir meets the requirement. You can enroll in a community college and take one Fine Arts and it meets the requirement for the UC and Cal state colleges. The course must be a 100 level or high and equal 3 community college credits, which equals 1 HCHS credit.

College Entrance Tests

SAT Reasoning and/or ACT are used for college entrance.
SAT Subject tests: 2 subject tests are required by some private and public universities. Check with colleges because the 2 required tests vary. If you choose to take the math subject test, most of the colleges require the math level II. If you prefer the ACT, it has a writing portion. It is optional but I would suggest taking it.

Private College Process

Students and parents should understand their “college profile”, as private colleges have different “personalities” and their requirements vary.

Here are some general guidelines to consider when looking at private colleges. Listed below are the CORE areas of your college profile, with the first three being the CORE of your profile:

Class rank and GPA
Rigor of curriculum
Test scores- SAT Reasoning and/or SAT subject Tests; ACT is also accepted and some colleges a require writing portion
Community and/or religious service
School activities

Most competitive private college personalities include Ivy League colleges: Rice, Stanford, Pomona, Claremont McKenna, MIT, Cal Tech, etc:

4 years of English
3-4 years of Math- beyond Advanced Algebra II
3-4 years of Lab Science- minimum of 1 year biological, 1 year physical
3-4 years of Second Language
3-4 years of Social Studies
SAT Reasoning range- 1300+(based on reading +math total)
ACT Composite range- 28+
The test scores are a range and vary on the individual applicant

Very competitive private college personalities: Lewis & Clark, Willamette, Whitman, University of Puget Sound, Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Whitworth, and USC are examples. Please note that USC and Pepperdine test score averages have increased dramatically in the past years.

4 years of English
3 years of Math through Advanced Algebra II (4 years if possible)
2-3 years of Lab Science- 1 year biological, 1 year physical (4 years if possible)
2-3 years of a Second Language (3 years if possible)
3 years of Social Studies
SAT Reasoning range- 1150+ (based on reading +math)
ACT Composite range- 26+. The test scores are a range and vary on the individual applicant

Competitive private college personalities: George Fox, Seattle Pacific, Warner Pacific, Concordia, Corban, Northwest College, Linfield and Pacific Lutheran:

4 years of English
3 years of Math through Advanced Algebra II or Integrated Math III
2 years of Science
2 years of Second Language
3 years of Social Studies
SAT Reasoning range- 950+ (based on reading +math)
ACT Composite range- 20+. The test scores are a range and vary by the individual applicant

Depending on the "personality" of your college, curriculum rigor varies- see your counselor. Some private colleges require 2 SAT Subject tests. Check with the college or your counselor. Most private colleges require an essay and recommendations from your counselor and teacher(s).

College Entrance Tests:

SAT Reasoning and/or ACT are used for college entrance
SAT Subject tests
2 subject tests are required by some private and public universities
Check with colleges because the 2nd required tests vary
If you choose Math as a subject test most colleges want Math level II
If you prefer the ACT, it has a writing portion. It is optional, but suggested.

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