Navigating Online Degrees: Five Essential Things to Know About Applying to College and ODUGlobal

Preparing to embark on your college application journey can feel like venturing into uncharted territory.   

While there's much to consider, taking control of your application and selection process can ease the process. From the importance of applying early to practical advice for gathering necessary documents, ODUGlobal's Director of Admissions David McMillan shares his college application tips for students and offers a roadmap as you navigate your options.  

Whether you're exploring your options to transfer to an online degree or a working professional seeking to advance your career through online education, the tips will help you streamline your application process and set yourself up for success. 

1. Do Your Research

From business administration to healthcare management, ODUGlobal provides a robust selection of online degrees that align with today's rapidly evolving job market. Before applying, take time to explore the array of programs available, ensuring that you find the one that perfectly fits your academic and career goals. 

After you have a program in mind, begin by reviewing the specific prerequisites. Gathering all necessary documents like transcripts in advance will make ODUGlobal’s straightforward application process even easier. We'll need official transcripts from every college or university where you've been registered for classes, so start checking to see how you can request that your transcripts be sent directly to ODU. The ODUGlobal admissions team empowers you at every step, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

2. Free Credit Evaluation 

If you’ve earned college credits elsewhere, take advantage of ODUGlobal’s free credit evaluation to determine which credits will transfer and save money to complete your degree. Our enrollment coordinators work alongside you to count the credits you have already earned, including military experience.  

Did you know ODUGlobal offers nearly 20 military pathways to count your military experience as credits and get you to graduation more quickly?    

3. Apply Early

ODUGlobal's commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment means popular programs can fill quickly. Applying early clarifies your enrollment options and gives you a head start in preparing for the next steps like financial aid applications. It also gives you time to prepare for any adjustments that may be needed in your daily schedule to accommodate coursework and spending time online. 

4. Submitting a College Application Does Not Have to be Hard 

We want everyone considering an online degree to complete our application process, and in most cases, this process only takes about 30 minutes. Applying to college does not mean you are committing to courses. Completing an application is just the next step. After we receive the application, our enrollment coordinators will help evaluate the best path for you. ODUGlobal enrollment coordinators may recommend a different program or a better fit to empower you to earn your degree.  

Prepare to start and submit your application in one sitting by collecting the following details:  

• Family information  
• Education history  
• Courses, grades and/or transcripts 
• Academic honors and achievements  
• Activities  
• Test scores (optional) 
• Written essays (optional) 
• Letters of recommendation (optional) 

5. Making College Affordable

We know fees can add up when applying to college, and we don't want students to feel restricted from applying because of an application fee. We offer application fee waiver codes for transfer students and the military.   

Did you know that scholarships don’t need to be repaid?  ODUGlobal offers scholarships for a variety of programs and circumstances to help with college costs.  

All college students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find federal student aid. ODU’s Federal School Code is 003728. 

In addition, some of our online programs use online textbooks and other no-cost online resources. The Mobile Monarch program provides discounts on Apple and Dell notebooks. Plus, all ODU students have access to free online tools and software.   

Save money by enrolling in a fully online program.