How to strengthen your Old Dominion application

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What Old Dominion weights most

Old Dominion prioritizes students with strong STEM and applied learning fit, especially nursing, maritime, engineering and fields that feed its research and regional workforce ties. They value demonstrated interest in hands-on programs, military or veteran background, and clear readiness for a large public urban campus; applicants with internships, certifications (e.g., EMT, CAD, maritime credentials), or community-college transfer coursework stand out. Academic metrics are forgiving relative to more selective publics, but ODU is stricter about preparation in major-specific prerequisites and pragmatic experience than about broad extracurricular prestige.

Supplemental essay strategy

For the personal statement or "why ODU" response, cite specific programs and labs, for example the Frank Batten College of Engineering resources, the regional maritime center, or the nursing clinical partnerships in Norfolk, and explain exactly how you will use them in your academic plan. If you are military-connected, describe how ODU's veteran services or ROTC offerings will support your transition; transfers should note completed technical coursework and how it maps to ODU degree requirements.

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Where to focus next

If you only have time for one thing this month, do this:

1. Read 2 admitted-student essays from Old Dominion (search official admissions site or Reddit r/odu). Notice the level of specificity — that's the bar.
2. Write the ‘why this school’ supplement first, before anything else. If you can't fill 250 words with school-specific reasons, pick a different school.
3. Find one current student to ask about their experience — admissions offices often connect prospective applicants with current students. The follow-up email becomes specific essay material.