Petition for Admission

If you’ve taken the classes required for admission (and completed them with the minimum passing grades required), but don’t meet the GPA requirements, you may petition for admission. Your petition is an opportunity to show that, despite academic setbacks, you have a high potential for success in the major.

  • Step 1: Gather your materials. This page includes support resources: a video tutorial, guidance on crafting your application statement and other guidelines.
  • Step 2: Submit your application. See below for the link to the petition application portal and information on upcoming deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Step 1: Gather your materials. Along with the online application (Step 2), you’ll need:

Well-written statement of intent:

  • Introduce yourself.
  • Explain why you want to major in advertising, journalism, media studies or public relations. Demonstrate your understanding of the major and the industry, and describe how this major choice fits with your career goals and aspirations.
  • Provide an explanation for your academic challenges and outline the strategies and adjustments you’ve made to overcome them.
  • Put your name and ID number at the top right-hand corner of the first page. Do not exceed two double-spaced pages in 12-point font, with one-inch margins on all sides.
  • Download the comprehensive guide for crafting an effective Statement of Intent [pdf] compiled by SOJC Student Services and the UO Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center (TAEC) for additional recommendations.

Other required materials:

  • Letters of recommendation: Provide at least one letter of support, ideally from an academic or professional source—even better if it’s someone in the SOJC. One or two strong recommendations are better than several mediocre ones. Ask your recommenders to email letters directly to sojcadvising@uoregon.edu or give them to you as a PDF.
  • Work samples: Show us up to five samples of your work, either published or unpublished. Briefly explain why you chose to include each piece. Convert any docs into PDFs, and upload multimedia samples to a website.
  • Resumé: To petition as a PR major, you’ll need to provide a one-page resumé. For everyone else, this step is optional.
  • Other materials: You’re welcome to include other documents that help support your petition, such as evidence of a learning disability or medical diagnosis.

Tips for Success:

  • Do your research. Show us you thoroughly understand the career field you want to pursue and are ready to tackle the hard work ahead.
  • Give us context. Include a half-page description for each work sample. What is it? What was your goal in creating it? Why did you include it?
  • Edit your materials. This is your chance to show us your communication skills. Don’t let typos get in your way.
  • Name your documents correctly. Help us keep track of your petition by using the following naming format:
    • Statement of intent: Last Name_ID number_statement.pdf
    • Letters of recommendation: Last Name_ID number_LOR.pdf
    • Work samples: Last Name_ID number_WorkSample1.pdf, etc.
    • Resumé: Last Name_ID number_Resume.pdf
    • Other materials: After “Last Name_ID number_” use the title that best describes the document.
  • For public relations petitions: We highly encourage you to take J350 Principles of Public Relations before petitioning.

Step 2: Submit your petition.

The Winter 2024 application portal is now closed. Applicants will receive their decision via their uoregon.edu email account before the new term begins.

Remember to prepare all your documents ahead of time before you submit your petition. You will not be able to adjust your application after you’ve submitted it.

Upcoming Petition Deadlines

  • December 8, 2023, 5:00 p.m.: To begin J211, J212 and/or J213 in Winter 2024.
  • June 14, 2024, 5:00 p.m.: To begin J211, J212 and/or J213 in Summer 2024.