Enrollment in your intended major
Enrollment criteria for first-year students
Ohio State has adopted a test-optional policy for 2024 and 2025 applicants.
Once it is determined that you are eligible for admission to the university, your academic record is reviewed for enrollment in your major program. Some colleges and schools have requirements that are more rigorous than university admission criteria in terms of class rank and test scores.
If you are admitted to the university but not yet eligible for direct enrollment in your major of interest:
You will begin your studies in either a pre-major program in your intended college or in University Exploration.
Your academic advisor will assist you in meeting your general education requirements and advise you on completing appropriate prerequisites for your intended major.
Enrollment in a pre-major program or University Exploration does not guarantee enrollment in your major of interest. In the event that you are not admitted to your intended major, your advisor will work with you to find an alternative that meets your academic goals. With so many majors, Ohio State can offer a variety of pathways to most fields of study.
All criteria and standards are subject to change.
Criteria by college and school
Architecture, Knowlton School
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major.
Arts and Sciences, College of
Arts
Admitted students are enrolled as follows: art education, design and moving-image production students are enrolled as pre-majors. Art and art management students
are enrolled directly in the major. History of art and theatre students meet with an advisor to establish their enrollment status. Dance and music students are enrolled in the pre-major following a successful audition.
Programs with an audition or portfolio requirement are highly competitive. Learn more about dance and music auditions.
Humanities
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major.
Natural and mathematical sciences
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major, except for those in actuarial science, computer and information science, and data analytics, who are enrolled as pre-majors (admission to these majors is competitive).
Social and behavioral sciences
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major, except for those in international studies and neuroscience, who are enrolled as pre-majors (admission to these majors is competitive).
Business, Fisher College of
Admitted students
are enrolled directly in the major and specialization.
Dental Hygiene, Division of
Admitted students are enrolled as pre-majors.
Admission to the dental hygiene major is competitive, and enrollment in the pre-major does not guarantee admission to the major. Note: If you have already completed program prerequisites, you may be eligible to apply directly to this program. Learn more about applying as an undergraduate professional student.
Education and Human Ecology, College of
Admitted students are directly enrolled in the major — except for those in exercise science education, human nutrition and sport industry, who enroll as pre-majors.
Engineering, College of
go.osu.edu/engfutureadmissions
Admitted students are directly enrolled in the major — except for those in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science engineering, who enroll as pre-majors.
Environment and Natural Resources, School of
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major.
Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major, except for those in culinary science and professional golf management, who are enrolled as pre-majors (admission to these majors is competitive).
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, School of
Admitted students are enrolled as pre-majors.
Note: If you have already completed program prerequisites, you may be eligible to apply directly to this program.
Learn more about applying as an undergraduate professional student.
Nursing, College of
Selective direct enrollment criteria: Admitted students who have an ACT composite score of 25 or higher or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math score of 1200 or higher OR who rank in the top 10% of their high school class are enrolled as pre-nursing majors. Students not directly enrolled in NUR are enrolled in the Health and Human Services Exploration program.
Admission to the nursing major is competitive, and enrollment in the pre-major does not guarantee admission to the major. Note: If you have already completed program prerequisites, you may be eligible to apply directly to this program. Learn more about applying as an undergraduate professional student.
Students admitted to the health and wellness major are enrolled as pre-HW majors.
Pharmacy, College of
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major.
Public Affairs, John Glenn College of
Admitted students are enrolled directly in the major.
Public Health, College of
Selective direct enrollment criteria: Admitted students who have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher OR who rank in the top 60% of their high school class are enrolled directly enrolled in the major.
Students not directly enrolled will enroll as pre-majors.
Social Work, College of
Admitted students are enrolled as pre-majors.