Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Student Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What majors are offered at Ohio Northern University?

A: ONU is home to four undergraduate colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business Administration, College of Engineering and the College of Pharmacy. A complete list of our many academic programs can be found on our Academics page.

Q: How soon can I apply to ONU?

A: The application for the Class of 2013 and beyond will be available on the Ohio Northern website around August 1, 2012.

Q: Does ONU have a preference as to whether I apply online, on paper, or through the Common Application? (Class of 2012 only)

A: Not at all. The decision is yours!

Q. What is the Common Application? (Class of 2012 only)

A: The Common Application provides a common, standardized first-year/transfer application form for use at any member institution. The Common Application currently provides both online and print versions of its First-year and Transfer Applications. The group’s membership of over 400 institutions represents a wide variety of US colleges and universities: public and private, large and small, highly selective and modestly selective, and every geographical region. The Common Application is usually submitted online and can be accessed at www.commonapp.org or through www.onu.edu/apply.

Q: What is the deadline for admission?

A: For students entering in the Fall of 2012:

Effective November 7th, 2011 Ohio Northern will begin to operate on a rolling admissions basis. This means that applications for admission will be accepted year round*. In order to qualify for maximum scholarship consideration, students should still submit their applications as early as possible.

Once we have received all of your application materials, we will notify you via mail of our decision within two to four weeks.

Transfer students will still have an application deadline of February 1, 2012.

*Pharmacy students still have a deadline of November 1, 2012.

A. For students entering in the Fall of 2013:

Arts & Sciences, Business, and Engineering students will remain on rolling admission. Students are encouraged to apply in the fall of their senior year.

Pharmacy students will have a deadline of December 1, 2012. We must receive all materials in our office by December 1 in order for a student to be considered for admission.

Transfer students will still have an application deadline of February 1, 2013.

Q: What materials are required in addition to the admissions application?

A: For students entering in the Fall of 2012:

$30 application fee (waived if the student visits before applying)

Official high school transcript(s)

ACT and/or SAT score(s) (we accept either the ACT or the SAT)

At least one recommendation form/letter (required for first time freshmen only)

A. For students entering in the Fall of 2013:

$30 application fee (waived if the student visits before applying)

Official high school transcript(s)

ACT and/or SAT score(s) (we accept either the ACT or the SAT

At least one recommendation form/letter (Pharmacy students only)

Q: Do I need to take the writing portion of the ACT or SAT?

A: No, ONU does not review the writing portion for either of these tests.

Q: Do all of my required admissions materials need to be sent at the same time?

A: No, these items do not need to arrive together. However, your admissions file will not be considered “complete” until all items have been received.

Q: What are the minimum requirements to be accepted to ONU?

A: Rather than examining all students against one ACT/SAT score or GPA, ONU considers students on an individual basis. As part of a holistic approach when reading a student’s application, the Office of Admissions considers the student’s high school curriculum, GPA, and ACT/SAT scores in addition to a teacher or counselor’s recommendation, student interaction with the University, and high school leadership and community service activities.

Q: Who should I ask to complete a reference form/letter for me?

A: We suggest that this form/letter come from a high school teacher or a guidance counselor. Additional letters can come from a mentor, coach, etc, but students should avoid asking family members.

Q: If I apply earlier do I have a better chance at getting scholarships?

A: Any and all students completing their admissions file by the aforementioned application deadlines are guaranteed full scholarship consideration. Merit based scholarships are awarded up to May 1 of the senior year in high school. Additional information on scholarships can be found on our scholarship information page. All ONU merit-based scholarships are renewable and are based upon the student’s GPA at the end of each school year. Additionally, talent scholarships are awarded to students who major in advertising design, art education, graphic design, studio arts, international theatre production, music, musical theatre and dance (offered as a minor). For more information on talent scholarships, please click here.

Q: Do I need to file the FAFSA?

A: You are not required to submit the FAFSA, but ONU strongly encourages that you submit it. ONU does not have a FAFSA submission deadline. The FAFSA can be filed as early as January 1 of each year. We encourage students to submit the FAFSA by the end of March of their senior year.

Q: What high school classes are suggested and required for students applying to the college of pharmacy?

A: Please visit the ONU Admissions website for details concerning admission high school course requirements and suggested classes for programs within each of our four academic colleges.

Q: What are the benefits of entering a 0-6 pharmacy program?

A: Students who are admitted into our pharmacy program are not required to complete PCAT testing after two or three years of “pre-pharmacy”. They are admitted as first year students into the Doctoral program directly out of high school.

Q: Is there a foreign language requirement?

A: Yes, all students earning a Bachelor of Arts at ONU are required to complete one language sequence, or three language classes, as a graduation requirement. However, language placement exams are available and can allow a student to test out of one or all of these required classes. Pharmacy, Engineering, and Bachelor of Science students are not required to take foreign language courses.

Q: Do you accept AP credit?

A: Yes, ONU will accept AP credits from any class. Usually, credit is earned by obtaining a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam. These credits may replace a class that is needed at ONU or may result in credit towards graduation for the student. The registrar's webpage provides more detailed information.

Q: Do you accept PSEOP credits?

A: Typically, yes. PSEOP credits are reviewed by the Dean of each academic college on a case by case basis.

Q: What is there to do on campus?

A: ONU currently has about 200 student organizations, clubs and activities. This includes our 21 Varsity Division III athletic teams, many club and intramural sports, community service organizations, social groups, chapel based organizations, Greek Life, and many more.

Q: Can a student bring a car to campus during their first year?

A: Yes, all students are allowed to bring their car to campus with them. A parking pass costs $60 for one academic year.

Q: I’m interested in speaking to a coach; how do I get in touch with them?

A: Visit www.onusports.com for team information and to complete the recruit questionnaire.

Q: Are there any days coming up when I could visit ONU?

A: Please click here for a complete list of our upcoming visit days, and/or information on scheduling a personalized visit to ONU.

Q: Can I schedule an overnight visit? How?

A: Yes! Once a student has applied to ONU, he or she may schedule an overnight stay. Overnight visits are arranged individually according to the schedule, needs, and interests of the applied student requesting the overnight. To schedule an overnight visit, go to our visit page.