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[Graduate Program Information] [Costs and Financial Support] [Application Status]
[Graduate School]
[Frequently Asked Questions] [Graduate Non Degree]
Step 1: Choose Ohio State
1-1. Why Ohio State?
1-2. Columbus, Ohio
Step 2: Find Your Program
2-1. Graduate Programs
2-2. Financial Aid
Step 3: Prepare To Apply
3-1. Deadlines
3-2. Requirements
Step 4: Apply to Ohio State
4-1. Apply Now
4-2. Application Status
Step 5: After You Are Admitted
5-1. Getting Settled
5-2. Orientation/Registration
The Ohio State University is the premier graduate degree granting university in Ohio and is among the most prominent institutions of higher education in the world. Ohio State has researchers, scholars and scientists at the leading edge of their professions including Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners, Guggenheim Fellows, and Fulbright Scholars.
Ohio State also has the 19th largest research library in North America and offers students access to state-of-the-art technologies necessary to advanced study. Electron microscopes, a nuclear research reactor, and a full complement of spectroscopes and lasers, computer labs and machine shops, are among the resources you will find at Ohio State.
Ohio State is a large university, enrolling more than 58,300 students annually at its main campus in Columbus and its regional campuses in Lima, Marion, Mansfield, and Newark. Despite the university’s large enrollment, few departments have more than 100 graduate students and some have as few as 10. All departments offer you the opportunity to forge personal and lasting relationships with your advisor, other members of the faculty, and peers.
Columbus is the capital of Ohio, called the Buckeye State and is located in the mid-west. Columbus is a thriving metropolitan area of 1.84 million people as well as home to Ohio State's main campus. Primarily a service and high technology community, Columbus is home to the headquarters of many successful companies, including CompuServe, Battelle Memorial Institute, The Limited, and Wendy's.
Part of the city's charm lies in the diversity of its neighborhoods and communities- the excitement of Ohio State's college community, the quaint cottages of German Village, and the contemporary art scene in the Short North district. Throughout the city, you'll find a multitude of excellent restaurant and shopping locales, an active arts community, and major sporting venues. Within minutes from campus, you'll also find beautiful parks, bike trails, and quiet suburbs.
We have just under 10,000 graduate students on the Columbus campus alone. Ohio State's Graduate School has 114 graduate programs offering 122 graduate degrees: 94 leading to a PhD degree. Explore our Graduate Program on our web site.
If you cannot find your program, use the Research Foundation website which features a search tool that can help you identify research expertise at Ohio State and the corresponding graduate program with which the researcher is associated.
The Graduate School administers internal University Fellowships and traineeships funded through national and local agencies.
Each year, Ohio State employs several thousand Graduate Associates including Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs), Graduate Research Associates (GRAs) and Graduate Administrative Associate (GAAs). Associateships are the primary source of financial assistance provided to graduate students. GAs perform a variety of duties 20 hours per week for nine months, and receive a monthly stipend and free tuition. Ohio State offers stipends that are competitive with other universities of similar size and scope. To be eligible for consideration, you must meet all of the admission requirements of the graduate program and apply by the appropriate graduate program deadline.
Graduate Program Requirements & Deadlines
Most graduate programs make admission and financial aid decisions between January and March (between December and March for International Students) for the following September, so it is best to have your application and all supporting materials received by the Admissions Office and your Graduate program Office by November if you are a US applicant, and September if you are an international applicant.
Since it is a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to study for the GRE, or TOEFL tests, you may have to start preparing at least one year in advance of your proposed start date! To know your proposed graduate program’s deadline go to Graduate Program Requirements & Deadlines.
Admission criteria are established both by the Graduate School and by the graduate program of study.
The Graduate School has set minimum criteria that all applicants must meet to be admitted to Ohio State. The Graduate Programs themselves set admission criteria which can be much higher. To know your graduate program’s admission criteria, please visit our website (http://gradapply.osu.edu/text/gri.asp), and the website of your proposed graduate program.
Applying to Ohio State University has never been easier.
Some graduate programs require additional application materials.
Click below to print an application checklist for all graduate programs except Dentistry and all Business programs.
Processing your application may take four to six months; even longer if some documents are missing from your application file at the time of review. You will receive an email acknowledging the receipt of your application, but it is up to you to make sure your application materials are complete and sent to the correct addresses. Periodically check our web site to know if your application materials were received, and your application status.
Check your application status at Admission Application Status.
You may also contact us at
Graduate Admissions Office
3rd Floor, Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43201-1270
Telephone (614)292-9444
Fax: (614)292-3895
Email: gradadmissions@osu.edu
Graduate students have a range of housing options available at Ohio State. Residence hall accommodations specifically for graduate students provide convenient living space for individuals, while still creating the kind of atmosphere necessary for advanced study.
OSU's Non-Traditional Housing and Family Housing (for students with families) may provide more spacious options for graduate students.
Finally, Ohio State's Off-Campus Student Services is happy to help those looking for accommodations off campus.
Just prior to the beginning of each Autumn Quarter, the Graduate School and the Council of Graduate Students combine to host an orientation for new graduate students. However, your graduate program will primarily handle orientation and registration activities.
Important information including the University Calendar, Course descriptions, and quarterly schedule of classes, tuition, residency and registration advice may be found at the Office of the University Registrar's web site.
For International Students, the Office of International Affairs offers many orientation activities and assistance for International students.
[Step by Step Guides] [Apply On-line Instantly] [Download Supplemental Application Materials]
[Graduate Program Information] [Costs and Financial Support] [Application Status]
[Graduate School]
[Frequently Asked Questions] [Graduate Non Degree]
Admissions Contact Information
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Please send technical comments and questions about these webpages to webadmiss@esue.ohio-state.edu.
Updated :
11/18/2008