Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the required application materials, where do I send them, and what are the application deadlines?
- How do I apply?
- What is involved in the application process?
- How can I check my application status?
- What types of financial aid are available and how do I apply for them?
- Do I have to take the GRE?
- Do I need to take the engineering
subject test of the GRE?
- Do I have to take the TOEFL?
- Do I need to take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or TWE (Test of Written English)?
- What are your institution and department codes for ETS (Educational Testing Services)?
- What are the average GRE and TOEFL scores of your students?
- How many students do you admit each quarter?
- I have a bachelor's degree, but not a master's degree. Can I apply directly to the Ph.D. program?
- Can you give me a preliminary assessment of my credentials?
- Can the application fee be waived?
- Is Computer Science and Engineering a part of Electrical and Computer Engineering?
- How can I arrange for a campus visit?
- What should I include in the Statement of Purpose?
- Which forms of GRE and TOEFL scores do you accept?
- Do OSU undergraduates need to submit official transcripts?
- What information should a recommendation letter include?
- What types of financial aid are available to BS/MS applicants
- How do I set up an OSU e-mail account?
- How do I register for classes?
- How do I find a faculty advisor
- What is the procedure for transferring to the ECE Grad Program from a different graduate program at OSU?
- Where can I park on Ohio State campus?
- I have been accepted into the ECE Graduate Program. What do I do next?
1. What are the required application materials, where do I send them, and what are the application deadlines?
(a) All applicants must:
- complete the application form* online at www.gradapply.osu.edu
- pay the application fee ($40 for domestic students and $50 for international students) online by credit card**
(b) To the Graduate Admissions Office at:
Graduate Admissions
The Ohio State University
Third Floor Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43210 USAPlease send:
- One copy of official transcripts from your undergraduate and/or graduate institution
- Official GRE and TOEFL scores (if required; please refer to FAQs 6 and 8 for further information )***. GRE Writing scores are required for fellowship consideration
* There are no additional financial aid forms. Please check the appropriate Financial Aid box(es) on the application form to request financial assistance.
** Applicants who are unable to apply online or pay the application fee online by credit card must contact the Graduate Admissions Office at international.grad@osu.edu or domestic.grad@osu.edu.
*** If GRE and/or TOEFL scores are required, they must be received directly from ETS (Educational Testing Services) prior to the Graduate Studies Committee review. Self reported GRE and TOEFL scores are not accepted.
(c) To the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Program at:
Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Program
The Ohio State University
205 Dreese Laboratory
2015 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43202 USA
Please send:
- Three letters of recommendation****
- Statement of Purpose
- One copy of official transcripts from your undergraduate and/or graduate institution
- One copy of official GRE/TOEFL scores (please see FAQs 6 and 8 for further information)
- Fellowship applicants must submit a one- or two-page resume
**** The letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead, signed and mailed to us directly by the recommender in a sealed envelope. Recommendation letters on plain paper are not accepted. Each letter must be attached to an official Graduate School Reference Form completed by the recommender and accessible at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/osu/pdf/gen_iref.pdf.
Application deadlines for the four academic quarters are as follows :
|
Admission
Quarter
|
Deadline
|
|
Autumn
(fellowship)
|
Last
business day in November
|
|
Autumn
(non-fellowship)
|
May 31
|
|
Winter
|
November
1
|
|
Spring
|
February 1
|
|
Summer
|
May 1
|
Top of PageDomestic applicants may apply on-line at http://www-afa.adm.ohio-state.edu/apps/grad-dom/appmatDG.html.
International applicants may apply on-line at http://www-afa.adm.ohio-state.edu/apps/grad-int/4IGR.HTML.
Note: Applicants who are unable to apply online, or pay the application fee online by credit card, must contact the Graduate Admissions Office at international.grad@osu.edu or domestic.grad@osu.edu.
3. What is involved in the application process?
First, all materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program as described in Question 1. Second, the Graduate Studies Committee reviews the completed application materials. Third, the Graduate Studies Committee's decisions are conveyed to the Admissions Office. Fourth, the Admissions Office sends an official letter to the applicant.
4. How can I check my application status?
Visit the university's web page at:
https://newman.uts.ohio-state.edu/admissions/appstat/Adm_AppStatus.cfm.
5. What types of financial aid are available and how do I apply for them?
There are four mechanisms of support offered by the Electrical and Computer Engineering program. Each pays all tuition and fees in addition to providing a monthly stipend. To apply for one or more of them, please check the appropriate box on the application form under "Financial Aid".
I. Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA)
GTA positions are awarded by the department based on the student's ability, teaching interest, and departmental needs. In addition to pursuing a graduate degree, a GTA is responsible for 20 hours per week of teaching duties, which could include conducting lab or recitation sessions, grading homework and quizzes, and otherwise assisting the professor with the class. GTA appointments are typically awarded by the department in Winter, for duties beginning the following Autumn.
II. University Fellowship
The best applicants are nominated by the department to receive a University Fellowship; these are awarded through a rigorous university-wide competition. Fellowship awards can be for one year, two years, or three years. Fellowship recipients have no duties other than pursuing their graduate degree. To be considered for a fellowship beginning in September (Autumn Qtr), your application with the box marked "fellowship" checked, and official GRE scores, must be received before January 1st if you are a domestic applicant, and before the last business day in November if you are an international applicant. Fellowship applicants must submit a one-to-two page resume and must take the GRE with writing component.
III. Graduate Research Associate (GRA)
GRA appointments are awarded by individual faculty members based on the interest and qualifications of the student and the availability of project funds. GRA appointments are funded directly by faculty members and are supported by grants from external funding sources. A GRA is responsible for performing research tasks under the direction of the professor by whom he is funded. GRA appointments are awarded throughout the year as grant money becomes available. Applicants should contact individual faculty directly to inquire about possible GRA positions (please visit our faculty web pages for individual listings). Faculty also review applicant files for statements of purpose that show interest relating to their particular research area.
IV. Graduate Administrative Associate (GAA)
There are a limited number of GAA positions. Like GTAs, GAAs are also awarded by the department as they are needed and as positions become available. In addition to pursuing a graduate degree, a GAA assists faculty and staff in various administrative duties 20 hours per week.
V. Funding opportunities for BS/MS applicants are in FAQ #22.
The GRE General Test is required of
- all M.S. and Ph.D. international applicants
- all M.S. and Ph.D. domestic applicants with cumulative GPA below 3.3
- M.S. applicants with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees
- and for eligibility to the University Fellowship Competition. Note: The GRE writing score is required for fellowship eligibility
While there is no explicit minimum GRE score requirement for applicants with degrees from foreign institutions, in general only applicants with excellent academics and high GRE scores are considered for admission. Excellent GRE scores (typically well above the eightieth percentile) in all three sections are a necessary indicator, but so are a strong transcript (near the top of the class), a well-written, forceful statement of purpose, and enthusiastic letters of recommendation.
7. Do I need to take the engineering subject test of the GRE?
No.
8. Do I have to take the TOEFL?
If you are from an English speaking country (please visit http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/criteria.html for a listing of countries and other criteria as defined by Graduate School), or have completed a bachelor's or higher degree from a US institution, you do not have to take the TOEFL. All others must take the TOEFL.
9. Do I need to take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or TWE (Test of Written English)?
No.
10. What are your institution and department codes for ETS (Educational Testing Services)?
The institution code is 1592; the department code is 1203 for GRE and 68 for TOEFL.
11. What are the average GRE and TOEFL scores of your students?
The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 237 (computer based) and 580 (paper based). We do not compile the average GRE score. The composite GRE for fellowship applicants must be in the 75th percentile or above.
12. How many students do you admit each quarter?
There is no fixed number. We admit our best applicants.
13. I have a bachelor's degree, but not a master's degree. Can I apply directly to the Ph.D. program?
Yes, you may apply to the MS-PhD track.
14. Can you give me a preliminary assessment of my credentials?
We do not make any evaluations until all of the application materials (including the application fee) have been received.
15. Can the application fee be waived?
Neither the University nor the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department will waive the application fee.
16. Is Computer Science and Engineering a part of Electrical and Computer Engineering?
No. Computer Science and Engineering is a separate department in the College of Engineering. The Computer Science and Engineering web site is here.
17. How can I arrange for a campus visit?
Due to heavy time demands on our faculty, campus visits are usually reserved for those prospective students who have excellent academic credentials and/or significant work experience. If you have a GPA of 3.50 or higher and are graduating from a U.S. institution, please complete the webform and in the "comments" section, indicate your interest in a campus visit. Alternatively, you may contact specific faculty regarding an individual meeting.
18. What should I include in the Statement of Purpose?
Although there is no fixed format for the statement of purpose, it should include your goals, your plan of study, your suitability for Graduate School, your strengths, achievements, extra curricular activities, etc. Please keep it focused and concise.
19. Which forms of GRE and TOEFL scores do you accept?
As long as the scores are sent directly by the ETS (Educational Testing Services) to the Ohio State University Admissions Office (Institution Code: 1592; Department Code: 1203), we will accept both Computer Based and Paper Based GRE and TOEFL test scores.
20. Do OSU undergraduates need to submit official transcripts?
If the student has attended all four years at OSU, and obtained the undergraduate degree here, then official transcripts are not required. The Admissions Office will pull up the transcript directly from the Registrar's online records upon your request.
If the student has transferred to OSU from a different university, part way through the undergraduate program, the portion of the transcript that is not from OSU must be received directly by the OSU Admissions Office from the previous university.
21. What information should a recommendation letter include?
A recommendation letter must have the applicant's name on each page. It generally addresses such topics as the applicant's determination to succeed in a graduate program, performance in academics or research, intellectual independence, research interests, capacity for analytical thinking, ability to work with others, and ability to organize and express ideas clearly. As indicated in Question 1, letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead, signed and mailed to us directly by the recommender in a sealed envelope. Recommendation letters on plain paper are not accepted.
22. What types of financial aid are available to BS/MS applicants?
- BS/MS applicants who commit to pursuing a PhD, apply by the January 1st deadline, and submit GRE scores are eligible for Graduate School Fellowships starting in the first year of their PhD degree. Note: BS/MS students for whom MS is the final degree are not eligible for Graduate School Fellowships.
- Upon admittance into the BS/MS Program, the ECE department will pay the difference between graduate and undergraduate tuition for up to four undergraduate quarters for Electrical and Computer Engineering undergraduate students who select the thesis option.
- BS/MS students will continue to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships through BS graduation.
- Upon
receiving their undergraduate degree, students become eligible for
graduate associateships. Please see FAQ #5
items I, III, and IV for details.
23. How do I set up an OSU e-mail account?
After you have been admitted into the ECE Graduate Program, you will be able to set up your OSU e-mail account. Please go to https://acctmgt.service.ohio-state.edu/Password.html and click on the link under "How to Activate Your OSU Internet Username." A separate window should appear asking you to input information such as your social security number (application number for international applicants) and birthdate. Please follow the instructions on the screen. This will enable you to activate your OSU e-mail account and select a password. Helpful information for configuring your e-mail is available at http://8help.ohio-state.edu/34522.html.
24. How do I register for classes?
An active OSU e-mail account is required to register for classes. The username for registration is "lastname.#" (same as your OSU e-mail address without the "osu.edu" part). The registration password is the same as your OSU e-mail password.
The OSU Registration page at http://buckeyelink.osu.edu/ permits students to register, view fee information, and check their account statements. Health insurance is mandatory for enrolling in classes at OSU. Please choose either student health insurance (a monthly premium will be charged), or "No Coverage" which will require current health insurance provider information.
To view course descriptions and obtain call numbers for the desired academic quarter, click on "Course Bulletin and Master Schedule of Classes". Once you have made your course selection, please click on "Web Registration for Classes" to proceed with registration. After all your call numbers have been entered, click on the "Update/Refresh" button. To verify your schedule, click on "Final Report".
Notes: (1) Master's degree students must take ECE 888 (when offered) in each quarter of enrollment; doctoral degree students must take ECE 888 (when offered) in each quarter of enrollment until the Candidacy Examination has been successfully completed. For rules and procedures pertaining to ECE 888, please refer to the course website at need web link. (2) Students on GA appointments (GAA, GRA, GTA) or University Fellowships must register for 15 credits in each quarter that they are supported. (3) Self-supported international students on an F1 visa must register for a minimum of 10 credits. (4) Self-supported full-time domestic students must register for 9 credits during Autumn, Winter, and Spring Qtrs. and 7 credits in Summer.
25. How do I find a faculty advisor?
In order to select a faculty advisor, please go to the Electrical and Computer Engineering homepage at http://www.ece.osu.edu/ and click on "Academics ... Academic Areas." Choose a focus area that interests you and visit the homepages of the faculty members listed. Establish contact with the selected faculty member by e-mail to inquire about GRA opportunities. Faculty advisor selection may also be made after arrival on OSU campus.
26. What is the procedure for transferring to the ECE Grad Program from a different graduate program at OSU?
First, establish contact with a faculty member in Electrical and Computer Engineering to serve as your advisor, as well as two additional ECE faculty members to support your transfer application. Submit the following: (1) A signed Transfer of Program form (available at the Graduate School), (2) a copy of your latest OSU transcript, (3) a copy of your entire academic file obtained from your current graduate program, (4) a statement of purpose explaining why you wish to transfer to ECE, and (5) three reference letters from ECE faculty members, including the faculty member who has agreed to be your advisor. All requested documents must be submitted as one comprehensive package to the ECE Graduate Program.
27. Where can I park on Ohio State campus?
If you are visiting the Ohio State campus and would like information on where to park, please refer to the OSU Transportation and Parking Services visitor parking information website at http://www.tp.osu.edu/visitorsmain/index.shtml.
To obtain a quarterly or annual parking permit, incoming graduate students may register online at the OSU Transportation and Parking Services website at http://www.tp..osu.edu/EServices/index.shtml. Parking locations and permit prices are also available at this site. A valid OSU e-mail account is needed in order to complete the online registration for a parking permit. Please refer to FAQ #23 for information on how to obtain an OSU e-mail account.
28. I have been accepted into the ECE Graduate Program. What do I do next?
Please e-mail ecegrad@ece.osu.edu with your approximate arrival date on campus. If you are new to OSU, a peer mentor will be assigned to assist you, and the graduate office staff will set up your first academic advising appointment with the Program Administrator. Among other important topics, this initial meeting will cover orientation information, Graduate School and ECE Graduate Program procedures, and an overview of course requirements for the degree you seek.