Instructions for Applying to the Ohio State University Physics Program
Pre –Application
The pre-application method of applying is available only to applicants to the Department of Physics.
The pre-application is the official physics application. Go to the Admissions Web site to complete the entire Ohio State application. At the end, you will be asked to pay the application fee. The fee is $60 for U.S. citizens and $70 for international students. Pay this and submit the pre-application online.
Supplementary Materials Required
- 2 official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. This includes schools you attended for only a short time (even if the transfer credit shows on another transcript).
- Official GRE General and Physics test scores are not required for Autumn 2022 applications.
- 3 letters of recommendation can be submitted online (the online application provides submission instructions), via e-mail to gradstudies@physics.osu.edu , or by regular mail directly to the department. Printable recommendation forms can be found at http://admissions.osu.edu/apps/pdfs/refer.pdf . E-mail recommendations must contain the recommender’s regular mailing address and phone number in case we need to contact him or her. Standalone recommendation letters must be on school letterhead.
- A personal statement is required (limit 1-2 pages). Also include a C.V. (limit 1-2 pages).
- An official TOEFL score is required of international applicants. The TOEFL IBT test is required unless it is not offered in your country. If you do not meet the university minimum TOEFL IBT score (79), you cannot be considered for our graduate program. We cannot waive the TOEFL requirement or consider scores near (but below) the minimum.
Application Deadlines
We begin to consider applications in early January. For the best chance of admission, submit all
application materials by December 15th if you want to be considered for a fellowship.
If you want to be considered for a fellowship, please submit a complete application before
November 30 (international students) or December 15th (domestic students). If you do not meet these
deadlines, you can still be considered for support in the form of a teaching assistantship.
All direct correspondence concerning your application should be addressed to the OSU Physics
Graduate Program Coordinator, at gradstudies@physics.osu.edu . Please note that at certain busy times of the year, it is impossible to answer all emails promptly. If this is a serious concern to you, you can check your status online at the admissions website. If anything is urgently needed from you, we will
contact you.