Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. What are the required application materials, where do I send them, and what are the application deadlines?
  2. How do I apply and what is the application fee?
  3. Where do I send transcripts?
  4. What is involved in the application process?
  5. How can I check my application status?
  6. What types of financial aid are available and how do I apply for them?
  7. Do I have to take the GRE?
  8. Do I need to take the engineering subject test of the GRE?
  9. What is the TOEFL/English requirement of OSU and ECE?
  10. Which forms of GRE and TOEFL scores do you accept?
  11. Do I need to take an English placement test?
  12. What are your institution codes for Educational Testing Service (ETS)? Do I need to select a department code as well as an institution code?
  13. What is the minimum GRE score required to be admitted to the ECE graduate program?
  14. I have a bachelor's degree, but not a master's degree. Can I apply directly to the PhD program?
  15. Can you give me a preliminary assessment of my credentials?
  16. Can the application fee be waived?
  17. Is Computer Science and Engineering a part of Electrical and Computer Engineering?
  18. How can I arrange for a campus visit?
  19. What should I include in the statement of purpose?
  20. Do OSU undergraduates need to submit official transcripts?
  21. What information should a recommendation letter include?
  22. What types of financial aid are available to BS/MS applicants
  23. How do I set up an OSU e-mail account?
  24. How do I register for classes?
  25. How do I find a faculty advisor
  26. What is the procedure for transferring to the ECE graduate program from a different graduate program at OSU?
  27. Where can I park on Ohio State campus?
  28. Are there any great smartphone apps you can recommend to help me be a great student?

Answers

1. What are the required application materials, where do I send them, and what are the application deadlines?

Details about required application materials, where to submit them, and application deadlines are available on the application process page.

2. How do I apply and what is the application fee?

Complete the application form online and submit the required materials as outlined on the application process page. Application fees information can be found on the Graduate Admissions website under Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Applicants who are unable to apply online or pay the application fee online may contact the OSU Graduate Admissions Office for help at gradadmissions@osu.edu.


3. Where do I send transcripts?

Upload scanned copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions with the online application for application review. ECE does not require applicants to send a separate copy of transcripts to the ECE department. Details about required application materials, where to submit them, and application deadlines are available on the application process page.


4. What is involved in the application process?

  1. All materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program as described on the application process page.
  2. The Graduate Studies Committee reviews the completed application materials.
  3. The Graduate Studies Committee's decisions are conveyed to the Admissions Office.
  4. The Admissions Office sends an e-mail to the applicant.

5. How can I check my application status?

Visit the University's web page at: http://appstatus.osu.edu. Please reference your application number and date of birth when using the online status check web page.


6. What types of financial aid are available and how do I apply for them?

There are several types of financial aid offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. 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." Most ECE financial aid supports PhD students.

University Fellowship
Fellowships are awarded through a rigorous university-wide competition. The most qualified ECE applicants are nominated by the department to receive a University Fellowship. Fellowship awards can be for one, two or three years. To be considered for a fellowship, applications (with the box marked "fellowship" checked) must be received before November 30. Fellowship applicants must submit a one- to two-page resume and GRE scores with the writing component.

Graduate Research Associate (GRA)
GRA appointments are awarded by individual faculty members based on the interests 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 faculty in charge of the project. GRA appointments are awarded as grant money becomes available. Applicants should contact individual faculty directly to inquire about possible GRA positions. Faculty also review applicant files for statements of purpose that show interest relating to their particular research area.

Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA)
GTA positions are awarded by the department based on the student's ability, teaching interest, past performance, 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 on a semester by semester basis. Interested applicants should contact Prof. Betty Lise Anderson, ECE Associate Chair.

Note that students for whom English is not a native language are required to pass a spoken English test before they can be GTAs who work directly with students. This qualification can be met by obtaining a score of  28, 29, or 30 on the iBT TOEFL speaking component administered by ETS, by passing athe Oral Proficiency Assessment (OPA) that is given locally at OSU, or completing EDUTL 505 and passing the Mock Teaching Test. For further information on English testing, please visit our English as a Second Language website.


7. Do I have to take the GRE?

The GRE General Test is required for:

  • All students seeking a University Fellowship. Note that GRE Writing scores are required for fellowship consideration
  • International students who do not have a degree from a U.S. institution
  • All MS and PhD domestic applicants with cumulative GPA below 3.2
  • MS applicants with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees

Applicants with complete application materials including excellent academic records and competitive GRE scores are considered for admission and fellowship consideration. 


8. Do I need to take the engineering subject test of the GRE?

No.


9. What is the TOEFL/English requirement of OSU and ECE?

OSU Graduate Admissions requires any applicant whose native language is not English to submit recent scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or similar English proficiency test to OSU Graduate Admissions. The test must have been taken within the last 2 years. Minimum scores to meet requirements for OSU Graduate Admissions include: TOEFL score: at least 79 on the internet based TOEFL, at least 550 on the paper based TOEFL; Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) score: at least 82; International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score: at least 7.

The ECE graduate program prefers TOEFL scores of at least 92 on the internet based test, 580 paper-based; MELAB at least 82; IELTS at least 7.5, but will consider applicants who meet OSU Graduate Admissions minimum English proficiency test score requirements.


10. Which forms of GRE and TOEFL scores do you accept?

Official scores are reported to OSU in electronic format directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The OSU institution code is 1592. The ECE department code is 1203. OSU accepts both computer-based and paper-based GRE and TOEFL test scores.


 11. Do I need to take an English placement test?

Most international students are required to take a written composition English placement test when they arrive at OSU to begin their studies. A list of exemptions from this requirement can be found on the OSU Graduate Admissions website.


12. What are your institution codes for Educational Testing Services (ETS)? Do I need to select a department code as well as an institution code?

The institution code for OSU is 1592. The department code for ECE is 1203 for GRE, and 66 for TOEFL. Selecting only institution code 1592 ensures that GRE and TOEFL scores will be received by OSU and are available to all OSU graduate programs.


13. What is the minimum GRE score required to be admitted to the ECE graduate program?

There is no mimimum GRE score required for admission to the ECE graduate program. In 2013, ECE recevied 1,542 graduate applications. ECE admitted 114 master's students and 35 PhD students. The average Quantitative GRE score was 775/163 for admitted master's applicants and 785/164 for admitted PhD applicants.


14. I have a bachelor's degree, but not a master's degree. Can I apply directly to the PhD program?

Yes, you may apply to the direct BS to PhD program. Please see the link ECE PhD requirements for details. 


15. Can you give me a preliminary assessment of my credentials?

We do not evaluate applications until all application materials have been received. 


16. Can the application fee be waived?

Neither the university nor the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will waive the application fee.


17. 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. 


18. How can I arrange for a campus visit?

See the visit us webpage for information.


19. What should I include in the statement of purpose?

The one to two page statement of purpose should discuss the applicant's academic and career goals, plan of study, suitability for Graduate School, strengths, achievements, extra-curricular activities, etc. 


20. Do OSU undergraduates need to submit official transcripts?

If an applicant attended all undergraduate years at OSU and obtained the undergraduate degree at OSU, then official OSU transcripts are not required.

If the applicant transferred to OSU from another university during the undergraduate program, scanned official transcripts from any other institution attended must be uploaded with the online application.


21. What information should a recommendation letter include?

A recommendation letter must have the applicant's name on each page. The letter should address 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, electronic letters of recommendation are preferred. See the application process page for instructions on submitting recommendation letters.


22. What types of financial aid are available to BS/MS applicants?

  1. BS/MS applicants who commit to pursuing a PhD, apply by the November 30 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.
     
  2. BS/MS students will continue to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships through BS graduation.
     
  3. Students enrolled in a bachelor's/master's combined program may hold GA appointments that do not involve teaching of other students provided all other eligibility criteria are met. More details can be found above under FAQ No. 6.

23. How do I set up an OSU email account?

After you have been admitted into the ECE graduate program, you will be able to set up your OSU email account. Follow this link to activate your account online. 

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding Ohio State’s Buckeye Mail are available online.


24. How do I register for classes?

An active OSU email account is required to register for classes. The username for registration is "lastname.#" (This is the same as your OSU email address without the "osu.edu"). The registration password is the same as your OSU email 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 class numbers for the desired academic term, click on "course bulletin and master schedule of classes," or view ECE course information here

Note: See the ECE Handbook for registration requirements for students on GA appointments (GAA, GRA, GTA) or University Fellowships.


25. How do I find a faculty advisor?

MS students are assigned a faculty advisor. In order for a PhD student to find a faculty advisor, please go to the faculty directory. Choose a research area that interests you and visit the websites of the faculty members listed. Email the faculty member(s) to inquire about advising opportunities. Some students find faculty advisors after arrival on the OSU campus. All PhD students are required to have a faculty advisor by the end of their 2nd semester of enrollment.


26. What is the procedure for transferring to the ECE graduate 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. Then, submit the following: (1) A signed Transfer of Graduate Program form, (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 the Ohio State campus?

If you are visiting the Ohio State campus and would like information on where to park, please refer to CampusParc.

Incoming graduate students may register for a parking permit online. Parking locations and permit prices are also available at this site. A valid OSU email account is needed in order to complete the online registration for a parking permit. Please refer to FAQ No. 23 for information on how to obtain an OSU email account.


28. Are there any great apps you can recommend for my smartphone that will help me as a student?

As a matter of fact, yes. Here's a link for apps for cloud storage, note-taking, math, science, literature, news, student life and more!