Oglethorpe University Viewbook 2023

OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY

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WHERE YOU CAN BE YOU. Oglethorpe University is a small college in the big city of Atlanta where you’ll have the best of both worlds. You’ll build relationships with caring professors, enjoy small classes on a gorgeous campus, and take advantage of all the professional opportunities Atlanta has to offer. At Oglethorpe, you’ll never be just a number. You’ll be able to express your identity, find your place and your people while receiving personalized support — whether you’re a STEM student in our cutting-edge labs or a Theatre major performing on center stage. Explore OU and learn how you can make a life, make a living, and make a difference.

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CONTENTS 4

THINK

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DO

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RESULTS

10 PETRELS 12 PLAY 14 LIVE 16 CAMPUS 18 VALUE

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THINK Contemplate age-old questions, tackle big challenges, take part in rollicking discussions… and connect it all to the real world. The Oglethorpe experience is where extraordinary minds unite.

15:1

EXPLORE BIG IDEAS The Core is the learning experience that every Oglethorpe student shares. It’s a set of classes and seminars designed to provoke discussion and explore big ideas, to connect our history to our future and you to the world. The Core will change the way you think, read and write. It might even take you to unexpected places.

DO REAL-LIFE RESEARCH Exploration and discovery go hand-in-hand.

Choose from more than 60 areas of study.

Work one-on-one with professors to conduct original research and ask questions about everything under the sun—like the OU biology students who are studying C. elegans worms to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease.

RAISE YOUR HAND Our engaged and active learning community starts with small classes where everyone participates. Professors don’t just know your name—they know you. And unlike the big research universities, teaching is our faculty’s #1 priority, i.e., making you smarter is why they come to work every day.

OWN THE JOB MARKET Through Oglethorpe’s mind-opening and brain-building curriculum, you’ll develop the skills that employers value most. You’ll become a quicker study, a better problem-solver, a stronger communicator. In other words, you’ll learn how to lead… the best training for any job and every job.

99%

STUDENT-FACULTY OF CLASSES HAVE FEWER RATIO THAN 30 STUDENTS

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100%

OF CLASSES TAUGHT

BY FACULTY

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE:

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I.W. “Ike” Cousins Center for Science and Innovation

Top Majors: Biology, Business, Psychology, Communication Studies, Engineering Dual-degree

Accounting (M, m) Actuarial Science (Track within Mathematics) African American Studies (m) Allied Health Studies (p) Art and Art History (M, m) Art, Studio (M, m) Biology (M, m) Biomedical Sciences (p) Biopsychology (M) Business Administration (M, m) Business Analytics (C) Business Economics (M) Chemistry (M, m) Communication Studies (M, m) Computer Science (m) Creative Writing (m) Digital Media (C) Economics (M, m) Education Dual-degree (M) Engineering Dual-degree (M) English and Comparative Literature (M, m) Environmental Studies (m) Film and Media Studies (M,m) Filmmaking, Video and Photography (Track within Studio Art) Finance See Business Administration French (M, m) German Studies (m) History (M, m) Human Resource Management (M, m) Individually Planned Major (IPM) International Business (m) International Studies (M) Journalism See Communication Studies Latin American Studies (m) Management (M)

ROBOT-PROOF

The Hammack School of Business is creating leaders with real intelligence, not artificially intelligent robots. Find out how at hsb.oglethorpe.edu.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Marketing See Business Administration Mathematics (M, m) Media Studies (Track within Communication Studies) Medical & Scientific Illustration (Track within Studio Art) Music (m) Non-Profit Management (m) Philosophy (M, m) Physics and Liberal Studies (M) Physics-Astrophysics Track (M) Physics-Computational Physics Track (M) Physics-Engineering Track (M) Physics-General Physics Track (M,m) Politics (M, m) Pre-Dentistry Studies (p) Pre-Law Studies (p) Pre-Medical Studies (p) Pre-Pharmacy Studies (p) Pre-Physical Therapy Studies (p) Pre-Veterinary Studies (p) Psychology (M,m) Public Health (c) Public Relations (Track within Communication Studies) Rhetoric and Public Discourse (Track within Communication Studies) Shakespeare & Renaissance Studies (m) Sociology (M, m) Social Work (Track within Sociology) Spanish (M, m) Studio Art (M,m) Theatre (M, m) Urban Leadership (m) Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (m)

M = Major, m = minor, c = concentration, p = pre-professional advising, C= Certificate, MBA = Graduate degree

AREAS OF STUDY

Forbes named OU a “stand-out” in college financial grades.

Princeton Review selected Oglethorpe as one of the best colleges in the Southeast.

U.S. News named OU one of the nation’s best liberal arts colleges.

Fiske Guide to Colleges named OU among the nation’s top 20 Best Buy Colleges and Universities.

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DO Atlanta is the ideal setting for learning, growing and experiencing life. Our location helps bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world, connecting you to hands-on opportunities in Atlanta and around the globe.

100%

WORK IN “THE ATL” Atlanta is a hub for global brands and a perfect place to launch a career. OU students intern at some of the world’s top companies like the Atlanta Hawks, High Museum of Art, Ernst & Young, Coca-Cola, Porsche Cars and UPS, along with major organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

MEET THE REAL WORLD Learning isn’t only about books and beakers.

You’ll also learn by doing—through service, performance, hands-on practice, research, and study abroad. You’ll hear from working professionals in every field: business leaders, policy makers, healthcare workers, scientists, artists and community activists. Because knowledge is all about what you do with it.

OF STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

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90%

TRAVEL THE GLOBE Study with OU faculty at our four global campuses in Barcelona, Rome, Cape Town and Greece. Immerse yourself in another culture at the University of Oxford in England or any one of our 10+ international partner universities (at no extra tuition cost!). The world is yours, and your horizon is as vast as you want it to be.

FEEL THE ENERGY Being an active part of our collective community—both on campus and in Atlanta— is core to the Oglethorpe experience. Here you have the chance to grow via never-ending opportunities to see, hear and do. Soak up Atlanta’s museums, festivals, music, sports, activism and more!

OF OUR STUDENTS ARE EMPLOYED OR IN GRADUATE SCHOOL WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER GRADUATION

10+

INTERNATIONAL PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

Students can present their original research at the weeklong Liberal Arts and Sciences Symposium held each spring semester or during several other research poster session events throughout the academic year.

Oglethorpe’s servicelearning courses join academic rigor with community involvement.

Like Environmental Studies students who take their textbooks to the trails of the Hawaiian Islands. Or Cancer Cell Biology students who gain a deeper perspective by working with patients.

Spring and winter break offer opportunities for university-organized service-learning trips, like a weekend in Alabama studying the Civil Rights movement and restoring a community center, or a week volunteering in a Guatemalan village.

Companies like Porsche Cars hire Oglethorpe interns from many different majors, including history, English, biology, etc. OU interns are so good, a high percentage get hired in full-time positions when their internship ends.

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RESULTS Get into grad school.

Land your dream job.

Build a successful career for the long-haul and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of higher earnings. An OU degree is a valuable investment— and it gets results.

90%

HOW? LIKE THIS Classes that bring together theory and practice to prepare you for the real world. Tons of opportunities to apply your knowledge and put your brand-new skills to work. All the resources you need to build your portfolio, polish your resume and grow your network during the transition from Oglethorpe to everything after.

LOVE YOUR WORK With careers all over the map—and all over the world!—OU’s alumni network is a diverse and productive force for good. We’ve noticed strong clusters in a few fields in particular: accounting, business, sales & marketing, healthcare, nonprofits, education, and arts and entertainment.

OF OUR GRADS SAY THEY’RE SATISFIED WITH THEIR OCCUPATION

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87%

INVEST IN YOU Washington Monthly called Oglethorpe a “best bang for the buck” college in the Southeast, and our graduates’ salaries are in the top 13% of all institutions nationwide, according to Payscale. With the combo of an intimate and engaged learning community (Oglethorpe) and the resources of a global city (ATL), you get the best of both worlds… and it pays off big.

PETRELS PERFORM LIKE PROS Thanks to a partnership with the Atlanta professional theatre company Actor’s Express, OU students can take the stage alongside seasoned veterans even before they graduate.

Stage careers don’t have to wait until graduation!

OF RECENT GRADS SAY THEIR INTERNSHIP PREPARED THEM FOR THEIR CAREER

TOP 25

IN THE COUNTRY FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY

US News & World Report

Payscale rated Oglethorpe University in the top 13% of educational institutions nationwide in median salaries of graduates.

Recent OU grads are attending these Grad Schools: Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Northwestern Law, George Washington Law, Columbia, Univ. of Florida Medicine, Univ. of Georgia Veterinary, Georgia Tech and many others.

Percentage of our grads who say their OU education has prepared them to: Communicate effectively (98%) Think critically (100%) Reason effectively (96%)

RECENT GRADS

JOSUE ACOSTA ‘23 — Master’s program in Geosciences at Georgia State University KHARYNTON BEGGS ‘23 — Partnership Specialist, The Social Institute SARAH BERG ‘23 — Assistant Broker, Peachtree Special Risk Brokers BEN GRADY ‘23 — Marketing Consultant, Intrepid Marketing, Inc. ASHRAKAT HASSAN ‘23 — Law School Student at Washington University (St. Louis) ANDI KEZH ‘23 — Communications and Policy Specialist, Association of American Medical Colleges ALYSSA MERLETTI ‘23 — Community Development Coordinator, The National Society for High School Scholars JULIAN MOORE ‘23 — Medical Assistant, Rainbow Kids Pediatrics CONNOR MURPHY ‘22 — Transfer Pricing Associate, Grant Thornton accounting firm CAMILLE TEAGUE ‘23 — U.S. Foreign Service Intern, U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina IVI D’VYNNE WICKS ‘23 — Film graduate studies, Savannah College of Art and Design 9

ARE YOU A PETREL? Is there such a thing as a “typical” Oglethorpe student? Not really… because we don’t do “typical.” We prefer the eccentric, eclectic and extraordinary. We are an inclusive community, where you can be you.

BE CURIOUS OU students are bright, curious and engaged. They’re independent, individual and involved. They’re entrepreneurial thinkers who aren’t afraid to explore new ideas and learn new things.

BE DEDICATED Our students are the type to work with everything they’ve got—in the classroom, on the job, in the community and on the playing field. They compete fiercely. They give freely.

They know what matters. They are ready and willing to lead.

~1,500 40% STUDENTS

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ARE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE

58%

BE PASSIONATE Whether you’re an athlete or an artist, a scientist or a sociologist—or all of the above—you’ll find ways to do more of it here, and do it better. Explore what excites you. Lean into your interests. Practice your passions with all your heart.

BE OPEN-MINDED The Oglethorpe community is an accepting one where differences are embraced. We believe in the power of diversity, the strength of individuality, and the magic that happens when innovative minds unite. Are you a Petrel? We can’t wait to meet you.

IDENTIFY AS STUDENTS OF COLOR

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STATES

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COUNTRIES

Oglethorpe earns an “A” in diversity from the U.S. Department of Education, and is ranked 18th most diverse student body among liberal arts colleges nationwide by the U.S. News & World Report.

The world’s most famous time capsule, Oglethorpe’s Crypt of Civilization is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s first attempt at burying a record for future inhabitants of Earth. It’s not scheduled to be opened until May 28, 8113.

The Little Bird that Could While at sea in 1732, James Edward Oglethorpe found inspiration in a small, seafaring bird—who against all odds survived the stormy seas with a balance of grace and grit. And like our students, the Stormy Petrel shows the strength and will necessary to overcome any obstacle, hence our motto: Nescit Cedere (One who does not know how to give up.)

During the Carillon Ceremony, graduating seniors ascend the Lupton Hall bell tower to ring the Carillon, a rite of passage and beloved tradition for Oglethorpe’s newest alumni.

Petrels of Fire. Like Cambridge University in Chariots of Fire, Oglethorpe also holds a traditional footrace—the annual Petrels of Fire. Runners sprint around the quad as the bell-tower strikes twelve.

The Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels once made it to the Final Four of Sports Illustrated’s Mascot Rush for the best mascot in the country.

Boar’s Head. Each December the Oglethorpe community inducts new members into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society. And yes… the process involves a boar’s head. (Plus, a choir concert and lighting the holiday tree!)

Each semester during finals week OU’s Counseling Center hosts a stress-free zone with games, activities, and some furry friends from the local animal shelter.

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PLAY Whether you play on the court or in a band, on a chessboard or a Nintendo Switch; whether your brain needs a workout or a break from the grind… You’ll find plenty of ways to explore, laugh, bond, move, get active and get involved.

60+

GET ARTSY Oglethorpe’s art scene is thriving! The 7,000-sq-ft Oglethorpe University Museum of Art is one of a kind in the Southeast, hosting internationally recognized and world-class exhibits in a small college setting. The state-ofthe-art Conant Performing Arts Center hosts productions by Oglethorpe University Theatre as well as professional shows from the Atlanta professional theatre company Actor’s Express, Capitol City Opera and many more. Our vocal and instrumental music ensembles frequently perform, too.

GET ACTIVE With 60+ clubs and organizations (badminton and martial arts, poetry and improv theatre, physics and economics, OU Monarchs and OUtlet… and more), you have plenty of ways to get involved, meet people and make a difference—while doing the stuff you care about most. Join Student Government Association or Honor Council to represent your classmates and gain valuable leadership experience in the process.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

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GREEK CHAPTERS

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GET SOCIAL Greek life at Oglethorpe is all about strengthening the community and doing good, through volunteering and service.

Our fraternities and sororities work with organizations like Make-a-Wish and the Boys and Girls Club, volunteer at food banks and tutor kids, and host fun social events on campus. 1 out of 5 Oglethorpe students belongs to a Greek organization.

GET SPONTANEOUS If you’re more the free-spirited and free-range type, there’s plenty to keep you busy both here on campus and around Atlanta. Gather for board games and video games in Turner Lynch Campus Center, or bike rides and bocce ball in Piedmont Park. Enjoy arts on campus or catch a concert at one of Atlanta’s top-notch music venues. Explore the BeltLine or spend the day shopping in Buckhead. The world awaits!

NCAA DIVISION III TEAMS

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INTRAMURAL SPORTS

HOME OF THE STORMY PETRELS

NCAA Div III, Southern Athletic Association (SAA)

Women’s Teams Basketball Cross Country Golf Lacrosse Soccer Tennis Track and Field Volleyball Men’s Teams Baseball Basketball Cross Country Golf Lacrosse Soccer Tennis Track and Field

Golf has won two national championships in recent years (plus 13 conference championships!), and made history in 2014 with the first D-III player to be selected for the U.S. Palmer Cup Team.

Oglethorpe University’s Pinholster Court at Dorough Field House has a “blacktop” surface—one of the most unique college basketball and volleyball courts in the country.

Nationally-ranked women’s basketball has earned NCAA tournament bids in recent seasons.

Men’s Soccer has won three conference championships in recent years.

21%

OF STUDENTS ARE ATHLETES

“Oglethorpe 6th Man” is a student fan club dedicated to cheering on Stormy Petrel athletes and growing school spirit.

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LIVE Students live on campus for three years, and many choose to stay until they graduate. With convenient and comfortable residence halls, tasty and healthy dining options and a safe, secure campus… well, it just makes sense.

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Campus life isn’t just about where you live— it’s about how you live. Together we’re building a kind and close-knit residential community that brings together a diverse group of people with a million different interests. Student and professional staff members are always on hand and regular social activities help classmates and hall-mates bond.

SNACK, EAT, FUEL, FEAST College brings a lot of responsibilities, but one thing you won’t have to worry about is where to find fresh, healthy food to fuel your busy life.

The Petrel’s Nest all-access meal plan offers all-you-care-to-eat dining with tons of tasty options… including fresh hot pizza, a crisp and crunchy salad bar, a Mongolian grill with made-to-order stir fry, and home-cooked favorites like fried chicken.

STUDY, PLAY, SLEEP, REPEAT Our eight residence halls are designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. You’ll get a well-outfitted room to call home (bed, dresser, desk and chair). Plus, free laundry facilities, common rooms for group study sessions or group gaming sessions, and plenty of cozy spots for hanging out.

FEEL SAFE ANYTIME You can always feel safe and secure here on our private, enclosed campus. Residence halls have secured access, so only approved visitors can enter. The campus is monitored 24/7 by our campus safety officers who are always happy to help. Campus Life staff members are also on-call for any type of emergency.

24/7

MONITORING BY CAMPUS SAFETY

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RESIDENCE HALLS

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GREEK HOUSES

The Game Room is a perfect place to meet up with friends, shoot some pool, or pick up Dancing Goats coffee drinks and grab-and-go snacks at Stormy Brews.

Two of OU’s most celebrated traditions are Quad Fest and Stomp the Lawn, held to mark the beginning and end of the school year. Both feature a live band, games, carnival rides, food and fun!

Through the Oglethorpe sustainability initiative, we’re creating an eco-friendly, low-impact campus. That includes sourcing food from local farmers and growers, recycling in every building on campus and maintaining a community garden.

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CAMPUS Oglethorpe’s serene, wooded campus offers a peaceful retreat from the nonstop action of Atlanta, a thriving metropolis, economic powerhouse and cultural hub. It’s a cozy life with the world at your doorstep.

#3

SHOP STRESS-FREE The Oglethorpe campus is conveniently situated in one of Atlanta’s most popular neighborhoods—Brookhaven. The in-town suburb offers tons of shopping, dining and entertainment, easily accessible, hassle-free and with plenty of parking. And you’re always just a short car or train ride away from the heart of downtown Atlanta.

SAVOR THE STONEWORK Oglethorpe’s gorgeous gothic architecture earned the campus a designation on the National Register of Historic Places. And old meets new with Turner Lynch Campus Center, our bright and shiny campus “living room,” and our cutting-edge Cousins Center for Science and Innovation.

BEST CITY FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

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#2

MEET MR. OGLEHAWK Like a lush green oasis in the center of the city, Oglethorpe’s 100-acre campus offers a serene and park-like atmosphere. The local wildlife enjoys the woods too—our campus is home to cats, hawks, squirrels and sometimes even a turkey. They even have names… which naturally all begin with “Ogle—.”

CALL IT Y’ALLYWOOD Lights, camera, action! Georgia is #1 in the country for feature film production… and Oglethorpe’s campus is a prime filming location. Hundreds of productions have used our campus as a backdrop for everything from commercials to music videos, television series and major motion pictures.

METRO AREA WITH MAGNIFICENT HIKING TRAILS

#1

CITY FOR THE MOST MUSEUMS PER CAPITA

#1

BUSIEST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD

#3 EMERGING

#1 CITY FOR

MOST NIGHTLIFE OPPORTUNITIES PER CAPITA

STARTUP HUB

HIGH MUSEUM OF ART

#6

THE KING CENTER

METRO AREA FOR FUTURE WALKABLE URBANISM

#1 FASTEST-

GROWING HOT SPOT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

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major team sports franchises: the Atlanta Braves of the MLB, the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA, the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United FC of the MLS.

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VALUE Your top-choice college should be about fit, not the bottom line.

The Fiske Guide to Colleges has named Oglethorpe one of only 20 Best Buy Schools in the nation. With our generous scholarship and aid packages, you could attend Oglethorpe for the same price as a huge state school… and our students graduate with some of the lowest rates of debt in the country!

FLAGSHIP 50 We match the in-state flagship tuition for every state in the country for our most qualified students. You LITERALLY get a private school education at a state school price. And if you qualify for state or federal grants and scholarships, you can bring those to Oglethorpe, too! See oglethorpe.edu/ flagship50 for details.

APPLY FOR AID We award more than $27 million in aid each year to help make an Oglethorpe education affordable for everyone. And no matter what your level of need, you’ll get a $500 grant just for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 99% of students get some kind of financial aid.

DO THE MATH Got HOPE? We’ll add on. If you bring your Georgia HOPE Scholarship to Oglethorpe, we’ll add our own OU HOPE Plus award on top to boost your funding. Georgia also offers an additional grant for state residents who attend a private university (like Oglethorpe!). OU offers special awards for International Baccalaureate (IB) graduates and Phi Theta Kappa transfer students, too.

40%

GA HOPE SCHOLARS

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COMPETE FOR $$$ Our top incoming students get another opportunity to compete for prestigious scholarships at the invitation-only Scholarship Weekend. You could earn a spot as a James Edward Oglethorpe Scholar, a Hammack Business Scholar, a J. Fred and Catherine B. Agel Leadership Scholar, or an Oglethorpe Theatre Scholar. All participants will earn a merit scholarship of at least $17,000.

SING IT WITH US Take advantage of those vocal chops or put your musical talent to work. Oglethorpe is one of the few universities that offers choral and music scholarships to students from any major— science, business, philosophy, you name it. You can always perform with our prestigious music ensembles (and score scholarship money for the privilege!).

99%

OF STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

More than 90%

OF STUDENTS RECEIVE MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

FLAGSHIP 50

WE MATCH FLAGSHIP STATE TUITION FOR ALL 50 STATES FOR QUALIFIED STUDENTS

We’re committed to affordability.

OU grads are among those with the lowest average student loan debt in the nation.

WHAT’S NEXT?

See for yourself. What truly makes us special is the people.

Visit campus—in person or virtually—to meet students, visit a class, and take a tour of Atlanta’s most beautiful campus.

Schedule today at oglethorpe.edu/visit

APPLY TODAY

Apply for free before Dec.1 and you’ll be considered for full-tuition awards.

No test scores required.

apply.oglethorpe.edu

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4484 Peachtree Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30319 oglethorpe.edu