Admissions

Tips for a Successful Application

Applications submitted for the University of Cincinnati’s Uptown (main) Campus are reviewed holistically, considering every item provided in the application file.  

Cincinnati admits students directly into their major. While the holistic review process is used for every college, some colleges or majors may be more competitive than others.  

Selecting your major

UC allows for you to select your top two majors in the Common Application that you would like to apply for. The order in which you select your major matters. Your first-choice major should be the one you are most interested in. But it’s also important to note that some majors are more competitive, and must be listed as a first choice major.

Competitive majors are often included in the following colleges:

If you are unsure which major to list as your first major choice, please connect with your UC admissions counselor. 

Beat the deadlines!

The application for the Fall semester opens on August 1. To be considered for our most competitive programs, the University Honors Program, & scholarships, applications must be submitted AND COMPLETED with all materials before November 1.

*Scholarships will likely only be awarded for students who complete their application BEFORE November 1*

Do not miss this deadline, and keep in mind it can take at least a week to process your documents. 

RECOMMENDED: Complete your application with all required documents by October 20 or earlier!

Check and read your emails carefully

Always check your email (and junk folder) and stay up to date on your application process and deadlines! 

Choose the right essay prompt for you

You will have several prompts to choose from when completing your Common Application. Remember that there is not a "right" or "wrong" essay to write. We want to read a response that is a reflection of who you are and what you are passionate about. When choosing an essay prompt, do some self-reflection to see which topic would showcase your personality, your skills, or your passions best.

Write a great essay

Writing your essay response can be a daunting task but following these few steps below will help you craft an essay that will be a positive addition to the rest of your application

  • Answer the prompt being asked: We see many essays that have clearly been used for other applications and don't answer the prompt the student chose to respond to. When writing your essay, make sure you are answering the question the prompt is asking you.
  • Get help proofing your response: This may seem obvious but you would be surprised how many essays we read that have typos and spelling errors. Make sure you re-read your essay looking for small mistakes you may have made and if you can, have a friend or family member take a look as well.
  • Tell us something we can't find in your application: The essay response is your opportunity to share unique information you haven't already told us somewhere else in your application. Take advantage of this opportunity to tell us something new so we can get a more accurate picture of who you are and why you would be a good fit at the University of Cincinnati.
  • Think about the person reading your essay: Your admissions counselor reads all the essays that come to them from potential applicants. For competitive majors, the program you have applied to will also be reading your essay. This is your chance to shine! Write about why you UC is the best fit for you and also why you are a great fit for UC. Tell us who you are, because we won’t know unless you tell us. Craft your essay carefully, be genuine and honest, and most importantly – be yourself. Then proofread to ensure there are no errors. 

Select the best person to write your letter of recommendation

A letter of recommendation is encouraged but not required for first-year applicants. The more you and others can tell us about how wonderful you are, the better! Choose a recommender who can write knowledgeably about your academic talents and abilities. This could be a teacher you have worked closely with, a guidance counselor who has seen you excel, or both. 

Submit a CV in the Common App

A resume (or CV) is encouraged but not required for first-year applicants. If you don’t know what this is, that’s okay – just ask your teachers, family, friends, or google. This is another chance for you to tell us all about yourself! You can list all your responsibilities and accomplishments during your secondary schooling. This can include volunteer work in the community, (such as tutoring), honors or advanced coursework, part-time or full time work, internships (paid or unpaid), online coursework, language skills, artistic skills, athletic skills, entrepreneurship skills, social media skills, study abroad experiences, family responsibilities, etc. Reminder, we won’t know this unless you tell us so use this time to highlight yourself a little beyond the Common Application. Ensure it is formatted well and checked for spelling errors.