The OAC application process consists of two elements: an application form and an entrance exam, which is conducted via email. To guide you through the process, we have created a detailed checklist. You should find most of your questions concerning applications answered on this page. It explains what you will need to prepare, what to submit, when to do so and what to expect once you have applied. Please print a copy now and read it thoroughly prior to starting on the application form.

Step-by-Step Checklist for the Application Process:

1. Application Form

• As part of the application form, you are required to submit a statement of purpose. Prepare your statement in advance of completing the application form. The statement should describe your career goals and how attending the OAC will be of value to you (500-word limit).

  • Tip: Do not compose your statement directly on the Web-based application form. Compose the statement in a word processor on your computer, saving a copy to disk.

• You should edit and proofread the statement in advance. Paste in your final, polished draft using the online form. Please see our formatting guidelines.

• List the names and addresses of two persons whom we may contact for recommendations. Select referees who are qualified to comment on your academic record and intellectual work.

• Select a date on which to write the entrance exam.

• Indicate your selection on the application form and make a note of it here: Date______ Time______
  

• Note: ARI’s offices are located in California, and therefore the Exam times are listed in Pacific Standard Time. Please be sure to adjust the chosen test time to your time zone accordingly.

• If you have more than one email address, on the application form list first the one you check most frequently. This is the email address to which we will send the entrance exam.

• If you wish to apply for a tuition waiver and/or a phone scholarship, please indicate that on the application form.
  

2. Entrance Exam

   • The entrance exam, which is conducted by email, is required of all applicants. We expect applicants to have some familiarity with Ayn Rand’s ideas. Therefore, the exam presupposes that you have read The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, The Virtue of Selfishness and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. To prepare for the exam, you may wish to read or reread these books.

   • The exam consists of three to five essay questions. All of the questions are of equal value for your overall grade of pass or fail. You should write as much as you think is necessary to answer each question, but keep in mind that you must answer all of the questions within the time limit of the exam.

   • On the day of the exam, check your email at the appointed hour. If you do not receive your entrance exam by the time you chose on your application, please check your spam folder. If you do not find your exam there, please email oac@aynrand.org immediately. The time limit for writing the exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

   • Follow the instructions, contained in the exam rubric, on how to submit your completed exam by email. Within two business days of submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your exam. Email us only if you do not receive the confirmation within two business days.

3. Results

   • By June 1 or September 1 (which date depends on when you apply to the OAC) you will receive email notification of the results. We will contact all applicants. If we are able to offer you a spot, that email will instruct you on how to enroll and register for courses. (If we have been unable to admit you into the program, you may be offered a place on our waiting list.)
     
   • If you applied for a tuition waiver and/or phone scholarship, we will let you know at this time whether we were able to offer you either or both.
     
   • Please do not contact ARI with questions about your admissions decision, as we will not respond to your inquiry.
     

4. Enrolling

   • Prior to enrolling and as a condition of joining the OAC, you will be asked to sign and submit by postal mail the OAC Student Agreement Form (supplied with the notification email). All students are required to sign this form.
     
   • You will be asked to submit by email or postal mail a photograph of yourself for the private OAC Student Web Site.
     
   • After we receive your signed OAC Student Agreement, you will be added to the OAC Student email List.
     
   • You also receive a copy of the OAC student handbook, which outlines our procedures and policies on grading and attendance.

   During the summer, new students are registered for courses. The schedule of classes will be finalized by early October. A week or so before the start of the fall semester, we will invite you to join the email lists of the classes that you will be taking.