High School Graduates

A prospective student must submit a completed Application for Admission to the Office of the Registrar, Ouachita Baptist University, Box 3757, Arkadelphia, AR, 71998-0001. Students may also apply on-line at www.obu.edu. A certified high school transcript and an official report of the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores must be on file with the University prior to admission.

The university will consider for regular admission the application of a student who submits:

1. an official transcript from high school
2. a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.750 on a 4.000 scale.
3. a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT score of 940.

The official transcript should include the following units: 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, and two in mathematics with algebra I and geometry recommended. Of the remaining units, it is recommended that at least two units be in one foreign language and that one-half unit be in computer science.

The University may grant Conditional Admission to students who fall below the previously stated standards. Most of these students will be advised to enroll in certain Academic Skills courses. The University will refuse admission to students whose high school GPA or ACT/SAT composite score indicates an inability to meet Ouachita’s academic standards.

Home-Schooled Students

A student who has been home-schooled and desires admission to Ouachita must submit:

1. a transcript of high school work completed
2. a high school GPA of 2.750 or higher on a 4.000 scale
3. a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT score of 940

International Students

Qualified students from other countries are eligible for admission as English as a Second Language (ESL) students, freshmen, or transfer students. Students who score 78-80 internet Based Test (iBT) or 213 Computer Based Test (CBT) or 550 Paper Based Test (PBT) or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam will be admitted to a degree program. Those who score below78-80 iBT, 213 CBT or 550 PBT on the TOEFL will be admitted to the English as a Second Language Program. Degree-seeking students who transfer from universities outside the US must successfully complete one regular semester of college level courses at Ouachita before being granted any transfer credit. All transfer credit must be evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluator (www.ece.org), the evaluator of choice for our institutional needs. The deadline form submitting an application and all other required admissions documents is July 31 for fall admission, December 20 for spring. Applicants must submit:

1. a completed and signed Application for Admission.
2. required application fee, housing deposit and tuition deposit..
3. a completed Ouachita Health form.
4. a completed International Student Certification of Finances (ISCF) Form.
5. official transcript from all secondary and post-secondary schools attended and certified copies of the results of all standardized examinations.
6. one of the following scores is required: TOFEL, ACT, or SAT
7. any additional requirements as published by the international programs office.

Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit scores earned on the TOEFL exam if the ACT or SAT score cannot be provided or does not meet admission requirements. However, students unable to take the TOEFL in their country may take it upon arrival at Ouachita for an additional cost. Students interesed in taking the TOEFL should go to www.ets.org.

For more information, contact the Daniel R. Grant Center for International Programs Office, 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3777, Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001, USA. Office phone: 870-245-5197 or email c07@obu.edu

Non-Graduates of High School

The University will consider for regular admission the application of a student who is not a high school graduate who submits:

1. a certificate indicating one has earned 16 units in high school.
2. a GPA of 3.000 or higher on a 4.000 scale in these high school units.
3. a recommendation from one’s principal, superintendent or counselor.
4. a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT score of 940.

The University will consider for conditional admission the application of a student who is 18 years old or older who is not a high school graduate who submits:

1. a minimum General Education Development (GED) test score at the 50th percentile.
2. a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT score of 940.

Transfer Students

Those who wish to transfer to Ouachita should apply for admission as transfer students and supply course descriptions for all courses taken elsehwere. Transfer students may be admitted only 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. 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.

Up to thirty hours will be accepted from an accredited theological seminary. Extension work from accredited colleges will be accepted up to thirty hours, including up to ten hours of such credits in the major.

A transfer student who has fewer than twenty-nine hours of acceptable credit must submit ACT or SAT scores and a transcript from previous colleges before being admitted.

Students transferring from educational institutions not accredited by a regional accreditation agency may enroll if they have a 2.0 GPA. They will receive full credit for courses taken in such institutions, but a maximum of 12 of those hours will apply toward graduation.

All students, including transfers, are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on work done at Ouachita. 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 general degree requirements 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 Student Program

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 the following.

1. a completed application for admission
2. an official high school transcript
3. an ACT score of 20 (SAT score of 940)

Veterans 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 Bill McCrary at 870-245-5252 or emailing him at mccraryb@obu.edu.

Readmission Process

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 Office of the Registrar. While on Academic Suspension a student may not earn credit to be transferred to Ouachita.