Oregon

FACTS: Salem is the capitol of Oregon. It is located in Marion county. In 2008, the population was just over 150,000, making it the 150th largest city in America. The population is 77% white, 14.6% hispanic, and less than 2% black (fairly consistent with the rest of Oregon). It has a fairly moderate temperature. It rarely gets into the 90s in the summer time and only occasionally snows in the winter. The Willamette river flows through Salem, separating Salem and West Salem (more surburban area). Salem hospital is the biggest private employer, followed by Willamette University, which is consistently rated as one of the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the country. Salem is also home to the all the government headquarters in Oregon. Oregon's maximum security prisons are also in Salem as is a large state mental hospital where One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest was filmed.

MY OPINION: The cost of living in Salem is pretty decent, but the wages in Salem are also below average for Oregon. There are nice areas and bad areas of Salem, just like any other city. The downtown area is very clean and family friendly. Salem doesn't have much of a night life but there are lots of community events, especially in the Summer.

Salem is undergoing a lot of clean up and rebuilding because the city is pretty old. Shopping in Salem is still pretty limited if you're looking for really upscale stores but there are lots of Fred Meyer stores and Targets and Wal Marts and there malls that have larger chain stores as well. There are several movie theaters that are all pretty nice.

Overall, I'd say if you have the money you should live in Portland. But for people who aren't the richest but don't want to live in the middle of nowhere, Salem is a nice city with just about everything you could want or need.

A. Graduate from a standard or accredited high school.

You can review the list of regional accreditors on our website.

B. Earn a C- or better in fifteen college preparatory courses.

• English-four years. All four years should be in preparatory composition and literature with emphasis on and frequent practice in writing expository prose.
• Mathematics-three years. Must include first-year algebra and two additional years of college-preparatory mathematics. An advanced mathematics course is highly recommended in your senior year. Algebra and geometry taken prior to ninth grade are acceptable. Regardless of the pattern of mathematics courses or the number of years of mathematics taken, the mathematics course work must include Algebra II (or equivalent) or higher.
• Science-three years. Must include a year each in two fields of college-preparatory science such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science. One year of laboratory science is recommended.
• Social Studies-three years. Complete three years of social studies from such areas as global studies, history, or social studies electives.
• Second language-two years. The UO offers several options for meeting the second-language requirement.

C. Earn a high school GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

If your cumulative high school GPA is below 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, review information on alternative admission.

D. Submit your official high school transcripts.

To verify that you've met the above requirements, we need your official high school transcripts showing courses through at least the end of eleventh grade. Upon graduation, you will be required to submit a final transcript confirming graduation and showing all academic course work.

E. Submit SAT or ACT scores.

We accept SAT Reasoning Test or ACT (with the optional writing component) scores reported on official high school transcripts, reported by the high school counselor on the paper application for admission, or sent to us directly from the testing service. If you plan to participate in intercollegiate athletics, however, we must receive your scores from the testing service.

When you take the test, list the UO as one of your score recipients. Our school code number for the SAT Reasoning Test is 4846; our code for the ACT is 3498.

F. Submit an application essay.

The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay, of 500 words or less, that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO's Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

G. Explain personal circumstances (optional).

Advise us early in the admission process of any personal circumstances that affected your academic performance, especially if you do not meet one or more of the admission requirements. Include a statement with your application describing any personal challenges you've overcome and explain their impact on your education. Details of any serious illness, diagnosed disability, personal difficulties, or family circumstances that have affected your education are encouraged. Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.