Ohio University welcomes applications for admission from students who have a home school background. Our home school review process is designed to recognize the unique experience of a home education while ensuring preparation for academic success at OHIO.

Admission Criteria

Because OHIO operates on holistic, selective review, home-schooled applicants are asked to complete the following steps to accurately reflect their distinctive and individualized scholastic work:

• All home-schooled applicants must submit written verification from the appropriate school district that the student has been excused from compulsory attendance for home education. Students applying from states that do not require school districts to issue a statement excusing the student from compulsory attendance may have this application requirement waived.
• All applicants must provide a high school transcript that includes the following: course titles, the date range (month / year) of when each course was taken, units earned, expected graduation date; and course grades.
• Optional - standardized test scores (Athens campus applicants only): Ohio University has adopted a test-optional admission policy and home-schooled applicants may submit test scores (ACT or SAT) if interested in having them considered. All applicants, including test-optional applicants, are eligible to be considered for University benefits, including direct admission to academic programs, merit-based scholarships, and honors and scholars programs. Learn more about the test-optional pathway.
• All home-schooled applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement that addresses their academic preparation and that details any unique experiences, academic or otherwise, which speak to the candidate’s preparation for enrollment at Ohio University.

In some cases, applicants may be asked by Undergraduate Admissions to submit a portfolio of the student’s work. The portfolio may include a curriculum outline, information about purchased curriculum used during home education, course descriptions, syllabi for courses, etc. In general, the portfolio should help admissions staff understand the applicant’s secondary-level coursework, and the transcript should provide evidence of academic preparation to succeed at OHIO. A GED, Certificate of Equivalence or a diploma may serve as a substitute for any of the documentation outlined in this section.

Typically, successful applicants will have completed 21 college-prep units of coursework in the following subjects:

• 4 units of English
• 4 units of Math, including Algebra II or higher
• 3 units of Science
• 3 units of Social Studies
• 2 units of Foreign Language
• 1 unit of Visual or Performing Arts
• 4 units of other electives

Submission of all application materials must meet all published deadlines.