Things you must do:

• Take college assessment exams. UC accepts ACT and SAT scores. We take your best total score. You may take the test(s) as many times as you want -- we do not penalize students for taking the test several times.
  
  
• Consider majors that might interest you.
  
  
• Explore admission criteria for the program you are interested in. (See Program Outlines.) Requirements vary by program.
  
  
• Begin exploring scholarship possibilities and other funding options.
  
  
• Locate the admission application on the web or request a paper application. (CCM applicants must use the CCM online application.)
  
  
• Find out the application deadline for the program you are interested in. (Competitive programs close early!)

Things you should do:

Visit campus. UC offers daily tours throughout the year. This is a great way to get an overview of the opportunities and facilities we have to offer.

Request information. Take Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Earn college credit through Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP).

Things you must do:

• Be aware of application deadlines.
  
  Your application must be complete before the appropriate deadline. A complete application means we have received all the required items. Only then can we offer you admission. It is in your best interest to provide these materials as early as possible -- no later than December 15 for Fall quarter admission, but much earlier for more competitive programs.
  Learn more about UC Application Deadlines.
  
• Prepare your Supplemental information
  
  UC requires all first-time college students applying to bachelor's degree (4- to 5-year) programs to submit a Personal Statement and list of Co-curricular Activities. This information can be submitted electronically as part of the online application or typewritten on paper and mailed with a paper application. It is not required for transfer students or students applying to associate degree (2-year) programs.
  
  Personal Statement: Describe how your academic achievements, personal interests and life experiences have helped prepare you to succeed academically and to be an active member of the UC community. (Please limit your response to approximately 250 words.)
  
  Co-curricular Activities: Please list your principal activities outside the classroom (student organizations, sports, community service, work, etc.) Include a brief description of your role or distinguishing contributions for each activity.

• Submit your application for admission.

  • Online (preferred for all programs except CCM)

  • Online CCM (required for all CCM applications)

  • On paper (acceptable for all programs except CCM)

• Pay application fee
  
  Application fee is $40. Online applicants must pay by Visa, MasterCard or Discover card when submitting their application. If you submit a paper application by mail, you must pay by check or money order. Do not send cash. Be sure that your name and Social Security Number are written on the check or money order. The application fee is not refundable.

• Have your transcripts sent to us.
  
  If you are a high school student, you must ask your guidance counselor to send us your transcript along with the College Prep Form (see below). If you are transferring from another college or university, you must request a transcript from each institution where you have completed college coursework.

  Transcripts and test scores should be sent to:
  University of Cincinnati
  Office of Admissions
  PO Box 210091
  Cincinnati, OH 45221-0091

  Transfer students, please note:
  If you have earned fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter college credits, you must submit high school transcripts as part of your transfer application. On rare occasions, the program you are applying to may require a transcript regardless of the number of college credits you've earned. Check the program requirements for this information. You are required to provide official transcripts from every college you have attended regardless of the number of credit hours you took or the grades you earned.

• Have the College Prep Form sent to us with your transcript.
  
  This form is included in UC's paper application. It is also available online in PDF format. High school students need to fill out Section I of the form, then give it to your high school guidance counselor to complete and send to UC with your transcript.

• Submit your ACT and/or SAT test scores.
  
  If you graduated from high school more than one year before admission, or if you will attend one of UC's open admission colleges (Clermont, Raymond Walters or the Center for Access and Transition) the test is recommended but usually not required.

  If you need to request scores from the testing agencies, please give them the codes shown with the addresses below.

  ACT (code: 3340)
  Records Department
  PO Box 451
  Iowa City, IA 52240

  SAT (code: 1833)
  College Entrance Exam Board
  Box 592
  Princeton, NJ 08540

Things you should do:

Make another visit to campus Information Fairs, Career Days and cultural events are a great follow up to your Preview UC visit.

Apply for Financial Aid any time after January 1. We cannot offer you aid until you have been accepted to UC, but it is a good idea to get your aid application in as early as possible. Financial aid is awarded after you confirm your admission to UC.

Things you must do:

• Confirm your acceptance as soon as you decide that UC is for you.
  
  You can do this:
  • Online (preferred)
  • On paper
    
    
• Pay your matriculation fee
  
  Online, you must pay by Visa, MasterCard or Discover card when submitting your application. If you submit a paper confirmation form by mail, you must pay by check or money order. Do not send cash. Be sure that your name and Social Security number are written on the check or money order. The matriculation fee is not refundable. 

Things you should do:

Tell your friends and family!

Get your Bearcat apparel from the UC Bookstore.

Apply for housing and parking. All confirmed Freshmen can apply for Housing beginning February 1.

Things you must do:

• Apply for Financial Aid on or after January 1.
  
  We cannot offer you aid until you have been accepted to UC, but it is a good idea to get your aid application in as early as possible. Financial aid is awarded after you confirm your admission to UC. The sooner you confirm, the more funding sources can be considered for you.
  
  
• Apply for Housing (starting February 1).
  
  
• Attend Orientation (registration begins in March).
  
  Information is mailed to confirmed students beginning in March.
  
• Register for classes.
  You'll do this at Orientation.

Things you should do:

Relax! You did it! Now's a good time to learn more about Cincinnati or Visit UC again.

Get involved! UC has hundreds of student activities and organizations that provide social and leadership opportunities, experience and fun. Learn more about Student Life at UC.

Apply for a UC parking permit, if you need one.