does university of oregon require supplemental essays

University of Oregon 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Feb 1

You Have: 

University of Oregon 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250-500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community

As you’ve looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you’ve hopefully learned about what makes Ducks unique. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you who you are, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of the two following options will guide you in sharing those thoughts.

Describe an experience with discrimination, whether it was fighting against discrimination or recognizing your contribution to discriminating against a person or group. what did you learn from the experience in what ways will you bring those lessons to the university of oregon.

Discrimination can take many forms and be based on a number of things — race, socioeconomic background, disability, gender (to name a few) — and we have all witnessed it in some way, whether we were the targets or not. When approaching this essay, remember that admissions is looking for awareness, not perfection. Admissions doesn’t expect you to have solved a worldwide problem, but they do want to know that your eyes are open to who is being left out or treated unfairly, and whether or not you have taken it upon yourself to do something about it. Have you worked toward inclusion in a club or organization? Do you support girls who break into male-dominated sports? How? The second way to answer this is to recount a time when you were on the wrong side of discrimination. Be vulnerable here, but be sure to analyze why you acted, be it youthful ignorance, implicit bias, or wrong-headed cultural “norms” — this will show admissions that you are self-aware and reflective. It’s important to show that you have learned from your mistakes and are evolving. Lastly, how will you bring those lessons to U-O? Will your actions speak louder than words? Do you want to volunteer in local Special Olympics events? Will you get involved in an LGBTQ+ rights group? Let admissions know that you care and are working for a more inclusive future in your way, however that may be.

The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others ?

Diversity applies to many facets of who we are, including but not limited to: cultural heritage, ethnic background, gender, socioeconomic upbringing, or an inter-sectional combination of all of the above. No matter who you are, you bring something to the table. How will your differences help to enrich your future community at U-O? Maybe reflect on how you influence those around you now, and then mentally place yourself on campus as a college student doing the same. Maybe you’ll share your love of Korean BBQ or your knowledge of Flamenco dancing. Maybe you’ll get on stage with the college improv team and make your peers laugh with your satirical social commentary. No matter what you have to offer, admissions wants to know how you’ll share it and how you’ll contribute positively to U-O’s diverse community.

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Admissions menu, freshman faq.

How will my application to the UO be considered?

Do you accept the Common Application?

When will I receive news about my admission to the UO?

• Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?
• What’s the difference between the application personal statement/essay and a special circumstances statement?
• Is an interview or campus visit necessary?

What if I do not meet the UO's admission requirements?

What about standardized tests?

Does the UO give college credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores?

If I was homeschooled, attended an unaccredited high school, or earned a GED, how can I gain admission to the UO?

• Can I defer admission or take a gap year?

How do I register for on-campus housing?

• Is the November 1 Early Action deadline binding?

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How much does it rain in Eugene?

To be considered for admission to the UO, you must meet our standard admission requirements . Your application will undergo our comprehensive admission process. If you do not meet the standard admission requirements, explore the options for alternative admission .

The UO accepts the Common Application for freshman admission only. You can still use the UO application, but if you're applying to at least one other Common Application school, using the Common Application has the potential to cut down the time you spend filling out applications. Spend that extra free time exploring our digital viewbook .

Apply by the November 1 Early Action (or early notification) deadline, and you’ll hear from us by December 15. Apply before the regular January 15 deadline, and you’ll receive our decision by April 1. No matter when you apply, you will have until May 1 to make your decision.

Do I need to submit letters of recommendation? 

No, but we will review any that you submit. If your GPA is 3.00 or below, letters of recommendation are advised.

What’s the difference between the application personal statement/essay and a special circumstances statement? 

The admissions personal statement/essay is required. A special circumstances statement is not required, but may be submitted to explain any obstacles in your life that hindered your academic performance in high school.

Is an interview or campus visit necessary? 

Visiting campus is not necessary, but it's one of the best ways to determine if the UO is the right fit for you. Choose to visit the UO on a student-led tour or explore on your own with our self-guided app. We also have options for virtual visits . We don’t conduct formal interviews in the Office of Admissions, but you are welcome to meet with an admissions counselor for specific questions or issues that you prefer to address one-on-one. We are currently scheduling virtual appointments via Zoom through our Virtual Visits website .

First, explore the options for alternative admission . Even if you don’t meet the admission requirements, we encourage you to apply and to include a personal statement explaining any circumstances that hindered your academic performance.

Yes, the UO grants college credit for AP and IB exam scores that meet the university's requirements . You must obtain an official score report from the AP or IB administrators and have it sent directly to the UO. SPECIAL NOTE: We are aware of the disruptions to both of these tests in regard to COVID-19 and school/testing closures. We will update this page in relation to these tests as often as possible.

Read the requirements for homeschooled applicants. Read the requirements for students from nonaccredited high schools . Read the requirements for applicants with a GED degree .

Can I defer admission, or take a gap year?

Yes, on a case-by-case basis. If you have been admitted for a specific term but wish to postpone when you begin college, the University of Oregon is now considering deferral requests for students offered freshman admission. To request a deferral of up to one academic year, visit our gap year webpage  and follow the steps listed there. The deferral option is not appropriate for students who plan to start college elsewhere then transfer to Oregon, or for freshmen admitted from our waitlist. Don't know much about gap years in general? Read this helpful information from NACAC .

Beginning in December, as soon as you are admitted to the UO, you can fill out your housing registration. The earlier you sign up for housing, the more choices you will have when selecting your room. All first-year students at the UO live on campus . More information is available from University Housing .

• Is the November 1 Early Action deadline binding? No. Early Action (EA) is not binding. It simply means that if you apply by November 1 for admission, you will receive a response from the Office of Admissions by December 15. You still have until May 1 to make your decision. Schools that have binding commitments tied to applications should refer to it as Early Decision (ED).  We do not have an ED program at Oregon because we want you to have the full time available to you to reach your decision.

Yes. Eligible incoming freshmen are automatically considered for many scholarships including UO Excellence, Summit, Apex, General University Scholarships, and PathwayOregon. Financial need may be a factor. To ensure consideration for all available UO scholarships, you are encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) [for Dreamer students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as well as other undocumented students who are ineligible to submit a FAFSA] by the UO’s priority filing deadline, March 1.  Be sure to list the UO as a recipient (school code 003223). The following scholarships require a separate application : Presidential, Stamps, and Diversity Excellence. More scholarship information, including specific criteria and award amounts, is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships .

During orientation you’ll learn about degree requirements, meet with your advisor, and register for classes. For students entering in the fall, there are orientation sessions in July and August called IntroDUCKtion. You’ll receive information on Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs)  and class registration toward the end of your senior year. Students admitted for winter, spring, or summer terms sign up for Mid-Year IntroDUCKtion .

The tuition equity law provides that undocumented students who meet certain criteria are exempt from nonresident tuition and fees. Read more .

Normal annual rainfall is 46 inches, which is about the same as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York (not combined!). In Eugene, the rain is concentrated between the months of October and April. Eugenians are accustomed to the rain, and it’s common to see people riding bikes and running outside throughout the year. Eugene's climate, with an average temperature of 53 degrees, is one of the city's attractive features. Mild winters, long growing seasons, sunny and dry summers, and few drastic weather changes are characteristic.

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Applying to the University of Oregon this year? The university is offering a range of optional essay prompts for the 2024-2025 application cycle. Here’s a thorough breakdown of the new supplemental essays and how you can approach them effectively.

Understanding the University of Oregon’s 2024-2025 Supplemental Essay Prompts

The University of Oregon has provided two key essay prompts that applicants can choose from, each requiring a response ranging between 250-500 words. Here are the specific prompts:

“Describe an experience with discrimination, whether it was fighting against discrimination or recognizing your contribution to discriminating against a person or group. What did you learn from the experience? In what ways will you bring those lessons to the University of Oregon?”

“The University of Oregon values difference, and we take pride in our diverse community. Please explain how you will share your experiences, values, and interests with our community. In what ways can you imagine offering your support to others?”

Additionally, there is an optional section that allows you to discuss various personal circumstances that might have impacted your academic record or involvement in activities:

Your academic record might have included periods of low performance such as grades of D or F, inconsistent or downward trends in grades, deficiencies in particular subject areas, or discrepancies between your test scores and GPA.

Special personal circumstances such as the death or illness of a parent, caring for a family member, homelessness, frequent moves, or due to learning disabilities/differences or study habits.

You want to help us better understand how your involvement in activities was limited by work or family obligations, or by the unique setting of your school or community.

Any other information that is not provided elsewhere, or UO admissions staff told you to provide certain information in this space.

How to Approach the Essay Prompts

The University of Oregon’s supplemental essays give you a unique opportunity to showcase your personal experiences, values, and the ways you can contribute to the diverse community at the university. Here’s some detailed advice on how to craft compelling responses:

Essay Prompt 1: Experience with Discrimination

When tackling the first prompt, it’s essential to reflect deeply on personal experiences you’ve had with discrimination. This could be an experience where you fought against discrimination or realized your own role in discriminating against someone:

Be Honest: Share a genuine story and avoid exaggeration.

Reflect on Learning: Emphasize what you learned from the experience and how it has influenced your outlook or actions.

Connect to the University of Oregon: Explain how the lessons learned will help you contribute positively to the UO community.

Leveraging tools like Sups AI can be beneficial in brainstorming your narrative and receiving feedback on your drafts. Sups AI offers one-on-one chats with current students who can provide insights and constructive critiques.

Essay Prompt 2: Valuing Differences

This prompt allows you to discuss your unique experiences, values, and interests. Here’s how to approach it:

Showcase Your Uniqueness: Paint a vivid picture of your background, what sets you apart, and the special qualities you bring to the table.

Community Contribution: Explain how your qualities can benefit the University of Oregon’s community. Be specific about the ways you can support and engage with others.

Be Specific: Mention any clubs, organizations, or community projects at UO that align with your interests and values.

Again, tools like Sups AI can be invaluable, helping you to structure your thoughts and ensure your essay resonates with the admissions committee.

Optional Section

Use this section strategically to address any potential red flags or gaps in your application.

Be Transparent: Clearly explain any academic inconsistencies or unique personal circumstances.

Describe Actions Taken: Show how you have worked to overcome these challenges and what you’ve learned in the process.

Maintain a Positive Tone: Focus on resilience and growth.

There are many ways to frame your narrative effectively. Engaging Sups AI will allow you to receive tailored advice and ensure your message comes across clearly and compellingly.

Writing the University of Oregon’s supplemental essays might seem daunting, but with careful reflection and the right resources, you can create a memorable and impactful application. Good luck!

How to Write the University of Oregon 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays