Oakland University is a public university located in Rochester, Michigan that offers admissions to over 200-degree programs at undergraduate and graduate level. It has 146 bachelor's and 130 master's, doctoral's and certificate programs. Top majors include Business, Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Biology. The institute is a renowned name in the US Education System that currently caters to over 1100 international students and over 40 scholars and 117 dependents from over 60 countries around the world.

With an acceptance rate of 84%, the university admissions are not too competitive. Academic performance during high school and college along with the strength of required standardized test scores for US determine the chances of getting selected. However, the applications are reviewed here holistically.

Some salient points to be noted when seeking admission at Oakland university are as follows:

  • It accepts students in Fall, Winter and Summer. Most courses operate on a rolling basis, however, some also have deadlines.
  • The students have to apply on the portal of the official website.
  • Common Application and Coalition Application are not accepted
  • Students have no fee for application in an undergraduate course.
  • Admitted freshmen had an average GPA of 3.56
  • Accepted candidates had an average ACT score of 25, which were moderately competitive
  • The average SAT scores for admitted students are competitive in 1120.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Admission Updates

In the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), following are the steps taken by Oakland University:

  • Application deadline for international students has been extended for Fall to mid-June.
  • Students who require time before enrolling may defer up to a year without paying the extra application fee for graduate students.
  • Students can submit unofficial transcripts in cases where they are unable to procure official transcripts and email it to international@oakland.edu. However, this is only on a temporary basis and the final decision regarding admission will take place after evaluating official documents (August 1, in the case of the Fall Semester).
  • A GRE General Test may be opted by students who are required as per their course.
  • TOEFL iBT will be accepted temporarily. However, IELTS Indicator will not.

Highlights

Admission portal Online application portal
Application fee Undergraduate: No cost
Graduate: Non-refundable 45 USD
Acceptance rate 84%
Average SAT score 1120
Average ACT score 25
Average GPA 3.56 GPA
Mode of payment Online payment through FlyWire
Academic calendar Semester-based
Intake sessions Fall, Winter, Summer
Financial aid Available
Codes ACT – 2033
SAT - 1497
Student-Faculty Ratio 20:1
First-year retention rate 77%
Graduation Rate Six year: 44.8%
Four Year: 48.7%

Acceptance rate

Oakland University is selective but has acceptance rate of 83%. If applicant provides all the required documents and satisfy all the academic requirement then chances of getting accepted in the university is high.

Admission Deadlines

Students are suggested to stick to the deadlines when applying to a range of courses for international students offered by the institute at undergraduate and graduate level and start their admission process well before time to make sure that the application process is smooth and there is enough time for visa procedures. Following are the general admission deadlines for international students:

Season of intake Undergraduate Graduate
Fall July 1 May 1
Winter November 1 September 1
Summer March January 1

International Student Admissions

University accepts international students provided they have completed their application within the deadlines and submitted the additional documents required. Details of admission application for international students is given below. However, students can also contact the admissions department for any queries at international@oakland.edu or (248) 370-3360.

How to apply?

Admission Portal: Apply online using the application portal available at the official website

Application Fee:

  • Undergraduate: No fee
  • Graduate: 45 USD

Basic Admission Requirements:

  • Complete application
  • Official High School Transcripts
  • Evaluation of transcripts by Credential Evaluation Service
  • Relevant Test Scores
  • Copy of Passport
  • Visa Details
  • Letters of recommendation for US
  • International supplemental application and supporting documentation
  • Notarized Bank Statement
  • Affidavit of Financial Support

Test Scores for International Students

Grade Point Average 3.2 average
SAT/ACT Not required if GPA is above 3.0

English Proficiency Test Scores

All international applicants whose first language is not English must be proficient in English as a requirement to enroll in courses for credit at Oakland University. These applicants will be required to demonstrate English proficiency in the form of tests like TOEFL, IELTS etc. and must fulfill following conditions.

Undergraduate Admissions

Name of the test Regular Admission Global Achievement Pathway Program ESL Institution
TOEFL (iBT) 79 1 Semester: 69 – 78
2 Semester: 62 – 68
61 or lower
IELTS 6.5 6.0 5.5 or lower
PTE Academic 53 1 Semester: 48 – 52
2 Semester: 44 – 47
43 or lower
Duolingo 100 1 Semester: 95
2 Semester: 90
85 or lower

Graduate Admissions

Name of the test Regular Admission ESL Institution
TOEFL (iBT) 79 69 – 78
TOEFL (PBT) 550 520 – 549
TOEFL (CBT) 213 190 – 212
IELTS 6.5 6
MELAB 77 73 – 76

Visa process for international students

International students who are offered admission at Oakland University must obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the USA. International applicants requiring an I-20 for a visa must submit the following additional documents:

  • Affidavit of support
  • Certified bank statement
  • Statement of finances
  • F-1 transfer form (students transferring from another U.S. institution)
  • Transcript evaluation
  • Proof of English language proficiency

After receiving the offer of admission, the next step is to accept the offer by using the Admission Acceptance Form.

Oakland University Undergraduate Admissions

The University provides for more than 140 courses in various fields. Students who are planning to take these courses are recommended that they opt for college prep courses in their high school to have a better chance of being accepted.

  • Application Portal: Online portal
  • Application fee: N/A
  • Application requirements:
    • Complete application
    • SOP for US
    • Official High School Transcripts
    • Relevant Test Scores
    • Essay (optional)
    • Other program-specific requirements

College prep subjects recommended by the institute:

  • English (4 years)
  • Mathematics – intermediate algebra (3 years)
  • Social Sciences (3 years)
  • Biological/Physical Sciences (3 years)
  • Foreign Language (3 years)

Transfer Applicants

An incoming OU student may transfer up to half of the minimum credits required for the intended degree from a community college. Transfer credit from all regionally accredited institutions and some non-regionally accredited institutions are accepted at OU.

Admission criteria depend on how many credits have already been earned from another institution at the time of application:

  • Applicants with 24 or more college credits should have a GPA of at least 2.5 to be considered for admission.
  • Fewer than 24 college credits: Admission will be based on both college and high school records; both college and high school transcripts must be submitted.
  • Official transcript(s) from each college or university attended.
  • International students must get their transcripts evaluated on a course-by-course basis sent by World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluator.

Oakland University Graduate Admissions

Graduate admissions results are conveyed to students via email. Reference letters play a huge role for the applicant as they can give them a boost in the application even with an average score sheet.

  • Admission portal: Common Online Application portal for all graduate courses
  • Application fee: Non-refundable 45 USD
  • Eligibility requirements:
    • Official Baccalaureate Degree Transcripts
    • Two professional recommendations
    • CV or Resume
    • Goal statement/experience statement/essay
    • Additional professional recommendation for Graduate Admissions
    • Proof of certification, license, etc.
    • Proof of program prerequisite courses required for admission into a specific degree program

Oakland University Program-Specific Requirements

Following are details on some of the programs in this university:

Specifications Biology MA. Master of Business Administration Master of Accounting MA. In Communication Master of Education in Special Education
Transcripts Required Required Required Required Required
Minimum GPA 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA 3.0 GPA
GMAT/GRE Not required Required Required Not required Not required
Essay/Personal Statement Not required Not required Not required Not required Not required
Work Experience Not required Not required Not required Not required Not required
Professional CV or Resume Not required Required Required Required Not required
Letter of Recommendation Required Required Required Required Required
Interview Not required Not required Not required Not required Required
Additional Requirements Pre-requisite courses, Career Goal Statement Prerequisite courses Prerequisite courses International students: 90thpercentile or higher on TOEFL exam Copy of current teaching certificate, Goal Statement

The University takes into consideration multiple factors such as your GPA, prerequisite courses, relevant test scores, goal statement, curriculum reference letters, extra-curricular activities, work experiences, showing leadership qualities, so on and so forth.

Students seeking to study in the USA going for an interview at the institute are advised to ask questions, wear appropriate clothes, prepare for questions that could be anticipated, arrive on time or early. Following up with a thank you note via email also leaves a lasting impression.

Once the undergraduate application materials are received, Undergraduate Admissions will make a decision regarding admissions within 4-6 weeks. If the applicant is applying less than four weeks before the intended term of entry, the application will be prioritized and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

For graduate academic programs at Oakland University, admission is on a rolling basis. The review process typically takes 2-3 weeks from the date the file became "complete." For programs that review applications as a group, the review process begins after the deadline date and can take 4-8 weeks before decisions are announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some of the frequently asked questions about regarding admissions:

Ques. How do I check the status of my application at Oakland University?

Students at Oakland University are required to make an account before they apply for admission. They can check the application status by logging into the account.

Ques. I am an international student at Oakland University. Do I have to attend the orientation?

Yes, international students at Oakland University are required to attend the orientation organized by the Office of International Students and Scholars. This orientation will act as a guide as to how to navigate.

Ques. What are official transcripts according to Oakland University?

Official transcripts at Oakland University are the ones that are directly sent from your previous institution to the University. Copies sent by the students can be used for reference. However, they are not official and to have a final admission decision, official transcripts are required.

Ques. I am still continuing my bachelor’s degree at the time of applying. How do I apply to Oakland University?

Students studying are required to submit an official transcript along with the degree obtained to finalise the admission at Oakland University. However, you can still apply to start the process. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted before official transcripts for evaluation. However, any decision is contingent on whether you successfully complete your degree or not.

Ques. What are the application fees for Oakland University?

Ans. Application fees for under graduation program are not there, you can apply for free but application fees for post-graduation programmes are $45.

Ques. Is application fees for post-graduation refundable?

Ans. No, an application fee for post-graduation is non-refundable.

Ques. What is the acceptance rate of Oakland University?

Ans. acceptance rate of Oakland University was 83% for fall.

Ques. What is the approximate cost of under graduation program in Oakland University?

Ans. Approximate cost of under graduation program $32,078 including living expenses, medical insurance and tuition cost.

Ques. What are the tuition fees for ESL course?

Ans. ESL course will cost upto $825 per course.

Ques. Which applicants are eligible for GAPP course?

Ans. Applicant who have met all academic requirements but have slightly less English language requirement.

Ques. What is the average GPA required for Oakland University?

Ans. Oakland University required minimum GPA of 3.56 for admission.

Ques. Which document should be included in financial document?

Ans. Financial document includes sponsor’s affidavit and bank statement.

Ques. Which English test is accepted as proof of English proficiency?

Ans. Oakland University accepts TOEFL, IELTS, PTE academia and duoling English test as proof of English proficiency.

Ques. How much time will it take for Oakland University to communicate their decision?

Ans. After applying, it may take 4-6 weeks for the some programme and 2-3 weeks for some programme. Decision time may also depend on application.