Admissions Information
Requirements for Admission
Students may apply to Ouachita online. An official high school transcript must be on file with the University prior to admission.
To be considered for 2024-2025 admission a student must submit:
- A completed application
- An official high school transcript (sent directly from the high school)
- ACT or SAT score, if requested by the University
- Letters of recommendation, if requested by the University
The University will refuse admission to students whose academic record indicates an inability to meet Ouachita’s academic standards.
Ouachita recommends but does not require the following high school course units for success at the college level: four in English, three in social science with American history and world history recommended, two in natural science preferably selected from biology, chemistry and/or physics, two in mathematics with algebra I and geometry recommended; and at least two units in one foreign language.
Students may apply to Ouachita online. An official high school transcript must be on file with the University prior to admission.
To be considered for 2024-2025 admission a student must submit:
- A completed application
- An official high school transcript (sent directly from the high school)
- ACT or SAT score, if requested by the University
- Letters of recommendation, if requested by the University
The University will refuse admission to students whose academic record indicates an inability to meet Ouachita’s academic standards.
Ouachita recommends but does not require the following high school course units for success at the college level: four in English, three in social science with American history and world history recommended, two in natural science preferably selected from biology, chemistry and/or physics, two in mathematics with algebra I and geometry recommended; and at least two units in one foreign language.
Qualified students from other countries are eligible for admission as freshmen, or transfer students. Students must submit valid exam scores earned within two years of admission. Students who score 78-80 internet Based Test (iBT), or 6.5 or above on the IELTS exam will be admitted to a degree program. All transfer credit must be evaluated by International Education Evaluations, Inc., the evaluator of choice for our institutional needs. The deadline for submitting an application and all other required admissions documents is July 31 for fall admission and Dec. 20 for spring.
Applicants must submit: a completed application for admission, the required SEVIS fee, the enrollment deposit and housing deposit, a completed Ouachita Health form, a completed International Student Certification of Finances (ISCF) Form, along with an original bank statement, official transcripts from all secondary or post-secondary schools attended and certified copies of the results of all standardized examinations, scores from one of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS, ACT, or SAT and any additional requirements as published by the international education office.
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores earned on the TOEFL exam or the IELTS exam if the ACT or SAT score cannot be provided or does not meet admission requirements. Students interested in the TOEFL should go to www.ets.org. or www.ielts.org for the IELTS exam.
For more information, contact the Daniel R. and Betty Jo Grant Center for International Education Office, 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3777, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71998-0001, USA. Office phone: 870.245.5197 or e-mail [email protected].
The University will consider for regular admission a student who is 17 years or younger who is not a high school graduate. The student must submit an application for admission, an official transcript showing at least 16 units in high school work, a GPA of 3.000 or higher on a 4.000 scale on high school work, a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT score of 1030, and a recommendation from one’s principal, superintendent or counselor. The University will consider for regular admission an applicant who is 18 years old or older who is not a high school graduate who submits: a completed application for admission, scores of 150 or higher on each of the four subject areas on the General Education Development (GED) test, and a composite score of 20 or higher or SAT score of 1030 or higher.
Those who wish to transfer to Ouachita should apply for admission as transfer students and supply course descriptions for all courses taken. Transfer students may be admitted with at least a 2.0 transfer GPA, if they are eligible to return to the institution from which they came. They must declare all colleges and universities attended in the past and supply official transcripts from each school attended. A transfer student who has fewer than twenty-nine hours of acceptable credit must submit ACT or SAT scores for course placement. Transfer students may use any Ouachita catalog which has been in effect since they entered college, as long as the catalog is not more than 3 years old. Students from accredited junior or senior colleges will receive full credit for courses taken in such institutions, subject to departmental or other limitations. All grades of all college level courses will be transferred and used in calculating the grade point average except those with D or F grades which cannot be repeated at Ouachita. Courses accepted in transfer must be consistent with the liberal arts character of the Ouachita curriculum. Ouachita will accept academic skills courses from other universities, but the number of hours required for graduation increases by the number of hours of academic skills courses. Students transferring from educational institutions not accredited by a regional accreditation agency may enroll if they have a 2.0 GPA. Courses taken at such institutions will be evaluated to determine which courses will receive credit, and a maximum of 12 of those hours will apply toward graduation. Transfer students who have 29 or more hours of credit are required to submit a degree plan during their first semester in residence. To earn a baccalaureate degree, transfer students must meet all requirements outlined in the Academic Information section, as well as those for the degree they seek. Sixty resident hours are required; 30 of the last 36 hours and at least 12 hours (6 junior-senior) in the major and 9 (3 junior-senior) in the minor must be taken in residence at Ouachita. Transfer Chart (Core Requirements Only)
High school students are allowed to take OBU classes for credit after their 10th grade year. The University will consider for admission the application of a high school student who submits a completed application for admission as a non-degree seeking student, an official high school transcript, and a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT score of 1030.
Additional Information
Ouachita Baptist University is an approved institution for veterans and veterans' beneficiaries training. Veterans of recent military service, widows, or children of military personnel who lost their lives in service or who are totally disabled as a result of service should contact the nearest VA Regional Office as far in advance of enrollment date as is possible for assistance in securing veterans benefits. Information on campus regarding this program may be secured from the Student Financial Services Office at 870-245-5570.
After being suspended from Ouachita, a student may apply for readmission following a lapse of at least one regular semester. The Petition for Readmission form may be obtained in the Registrar. While on Academic Suspension a student may not earn credit to be transferred to Ouachita.
Ouachita accepts official transcripts by:
- Electronic transcripts sent through a sending service, such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, Triand/Speede, Scoir or Naviance.
- Hard copy mailed by the high school to:
Ouachita Baptist University
Box 3757
Arkadelphia, Ark. 71998
Official ACT scores will be accepted in the following ways:
- Electronically sent by ACT.
- High School ACT reports received through the sending services mentioned above.
- High School ACT reports sent from the High School.
- ACT scores listed on Triand/Speede.
- ACT official score stickers that are attached on the transcript.
