Oregon State University Admission
Oregon State University Undergraduate Program
Oregon State University Application

The Facts

Oregon State University is a large state funded research university that has the feel of a small state college. It is located in Corvallis, Oregon, a small town in Northeastern Oregon. The university is composed of several smaller colleges including schools of agricultural science, business, engineering, forestry, health and human performance, home economics, education, liberal arts, oceanic atmospheric science, pharmacy, and science and veterinary medicine. The majors are extremely diverse with an emphasis on biology and the sciences.

Admission is not terrifically competitive. Last year around 7,410 students applied and 6,529 were admitted; of those, 2,949 matriculated. The Class of 2004 had a combined SAT score ranging from 960 to 1200 and an average cumulative ACT score ranging from 20 to 26. 47% of the Class of 2004 ranked among the top 25% of their graduating high school class with an average GPA of 3.45.

Nearly one fifth of all students at OSU are involved with some sort of research project with faculty and graduate students. They even have a special fund for students to create their own research projects. The school is quite strong in the scientific fields and in engineering, which only makes the research aspect of the school a bigger draw for students.

The Social Scene

There are over 300 student organizations to choose from at OSU, and many students become involved in various activities. The Greek houses run social life at OSU, as the sleepy town of Corvallis doesn’t really have much to offer. However, students are close to the Cascade mountains and the Pacific Coast, so outdoor recreational activities abound. Drinking is most definitely a popular activity here, and many students fault the boring nature of Corvallis.

To get to weekend social activities, many students own cars; however, parking is extremely limited. Students also can ride city buses for free. Students are fairly close to Portland and Salem, and many head to those cities for more weekend nightlife. Over two thirds of students live off campus or commute from home due to the lack of decent on-campus housing. There is a freshmen-only residence hall; however, it is not mandatory that freshmen live in it. Housing in Corvallis is not particularly expensive, so students say they don’t have a very hard time securing an apartment or house. OSU is a NCAA Division I school and a member of the PAC 10 conference, but the Beavers have not been particularly strong in recent years. Many students do participate in athletic activities and various club teams.

In terms of the dating scene, if you are a fairly conservative person who doesn’t mind living in a rural setting, you will probably find a potential mate here.

What’s Good

“The school feels small even though it is technically a large state university, and there is a real sense of community here.”

“The teachers really care about your progress and well-being. They will listen to your problems and help you work them out.”

“The nature around here is amazing. We are surrounded by so many beautiful aspects of nature. It’s amazing.”

What’s Bad

“Corvallis is pretty dead. There really is nothing to do around here except for poking around K-Mart.”

“The students here are really conservative. If you are a raging liberal, you won’t really fit in here.”

“The Greeks rule over everything. They feel like cults.”

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