Application Process & Checklist | Department of Geography

If you are interested in applying to one of our graduate programs, please read the information provided here as well as the Graduate Admission website for the Atmospheric Sciences MS, Atmospheric Sciences PhD, MGIST, Graduate Certificate in GIST, Geography MA, Geography PhD program. These pages provide a thorough account of the program requirements, application process, and funding options. We recommend that you should first connect with faculty members as your possible advisors before applying.

For questions and additional information, please contact Joslyn Branham, Graduate Program Coordinator, at branham.118@osu.edu.

STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications

Minimum admission criteria for the MS are as follows:

A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)
Training and/or experience that demonstrates that you are prepared for your proposed course of study. Evidence of such preparation usually comes in the form of transcripts or other such credentials, your research statement, and evaluations in your letters of reference.
A completed calculus series
Proof of English language proficiency, for international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment. Minimum required scores:
TOEFL: 100 on the Internet-based, with a 24 on the speaking
MELAB: 84
IELTS: 7.0, with a 7.5 speaking

Applicants who are citizens of or who have received a bachelor's degree (or higher) from one of these English-speaking countries are exempt: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.

Minimum admission criteria for the PhD includes all of the above with the addition of:

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your program
In rare circumstances, we admit students who do not have a Master’s degree and have shown potentials in research into the Direct-to-PhD programs in Atmospheric Sciences. Students in these programs should complete the PhD in five academic years. If you are interested in this possibility, you should reach out to the graduate program coordinator and your potential advisor.

STEP TWO - The Application

Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application. The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process. Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
Faculty mentor. We strongly encourage applicants to contact our faculty members. Prior to applying, you must have at least one faculty member agree to serve as your mentor. Your mentor will be your advocate through the admissions and your default advisor after you are admitted to the program. Every graduate student can change the advisor.
Statement of purpose. In no more than 3 pages, your statement must address the following four aspects: (1) your academic background and past experience, (2) your research plan and career goals, (3) how Ohio State will help you achieve your goals, (name your intended mentor here) and (4) how your academic interests and achievements have been shaped by lived experiences.
Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
Three letters of recommendation. While filling out your application you will be prompted to submit the names and contact information for your recommendation letter writers. Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters. We encourage you to ask your letter writers to comment on the four aspects of your statement of purpose.
International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu). Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document. Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
Pay the application fee at; Ohio State Graduate Admissions.

The deadline for both international and domestic applications is November 15.

Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.

PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:

Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package).
Certificates of any kind
Photocopies of your passport

STEP THREE - Initial Completion

Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.

STEP FOUR - Finish

If you get accepted then you will need to mail sealed official transcripts to Graduate Admissions (Address to: Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, SAS Building, 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1132). These need to be final copies of your transcripts so please do not send us transcripts if you have not yet received your degree at the time of your admission. Instead please mail copies of your transcripts once your degree has been awarded.

STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications

Minimum admission criteria for the MA are as follows:

A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)
Training and/or experience that demonstrates that you are prepared for your proposed course of study. Evidence of such preparation usually comes in the form of transcripts or other such credentials, your research statement, and evaluations in your letters of reference.
Proof of English language proficiency, for international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment. Minimum required scores:
TOEFL: 100 on the Internet-based, with a 24 on the speaking
MELAB: 84
IELTS: 7.0, with a 7.5 speaking

Minimum admission criteria for the PhD includes all of the above with the addition of:

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your program
In rare circumstances, we admit students who do not have a Master’s degree and have shown potentials in research into the Direct-to-PhD programs in Geography. Students in these programs should complete the PhD in five academic years. If you are interested in this possibility, you should reach out to the graduate program coordinator and your potential advisor.

STEP TWO - The Application

Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application. The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process. Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
Faculty mentor. We strongly encourage applicants to contact our faculty members. Prior to applying, you must have at least one faculty member agree to serve as your mentor. Your mentor will be your advocate through the admissions and your default advisor after you are admitted to the program. Every graduate student can change the advisor.
Statement of purpose. In no more than 3 pages, your statement must address the following four aspects: (1) your academic background and past experience, (2) your research plan and career goals, (3) how Ohio State will help you achieve your goals, (name your intended mentor here) and (4) how your academic interests and achievements have been shaped by lived experiences.
Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
Three letters of recommendation. While filling out your application you will be prompted to submit the names and contact information for your recommendation letter writers. Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters. We encourage you to ask your letter writers to comment on the four aspects of your statement of purpose.
International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu). Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document. Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
Pay the application fee at; Ohio State Graduate Admissions.

The deadline for both international and domestic applications is November 15.

Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.

PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:

Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package).
Certificates of any kind
Photocopies of your passport

STEP THREE - Initial Completion

Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.

STEP FOUR - Finish

STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications

Minimum admission criteria for the Graduate Certificate are as follows:

A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
A minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)

STEP TWO - The Application

Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application. The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process. Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
Statement of purpose.
Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu). Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document. Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
Pay the application fee at Ohio State Graduate Admissions.

The deadline for both international and domestic applications is November 15 for Spring semester and May 15 for Autumn semester.

PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:

Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package).
Certificates of any kind
Photocopies of your passport

STEP THREE - Initial Completion

Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.

STEP FOUR - Finish

STEP ONE - Minimum Qualifications

Minimum admission criteria for the MGIST are as follows:

A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate work. (Learn how OSU calculates GPA)
Training and/or experience that demonstrates that you are prepared for your proposed course of study. Evidence of such preparation usually comes in the form of transcripts or other such credentials, your research statement, and evaluations in your letters of reference.
Proof of English language proficiency, for international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment. Minimum required scores:
TOEFL: 100 on the Internet-based, with a 24 on the speaking
MELAB: 84
IELTS: 7.0, with a 7.5 speaking

STEP TWO - The Application

Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application. The materials referenced below will need to be submitted during this process. Please note: The completed online form will be forwarded automatically to the department.
For international students, be sure you have thoroughly read through the Graduate Admissions requirements for international students.
Statement of purpose.
Your curriculum vitae (CV). This should be uploaded via the Graduate Admissions page.
Two letters of recommendation. While filling out your application you will be prompted to submit the names and contact information for your recommendation letter writers. Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to your writers so they can log in and submit their letters. We encourage you to ask your letter writers to comment on the four aspects of your statement of purpose.
International Students Only: Official TOEFL exam report. Arrange for the scores to be sent to: OSU institution code #1592.
One official transcript from each university that you have attended should be uploaded to your application OR you can email your transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@osu.edu). Remember to include a copy for each university/college that you have attended and to upload each as a separate document. Also, please include both the front and back page of your transcript(s).
Pay the application fee at; Ohio State Graduate Admissions.

For domestic students, the deadlines are December 1 for Spring semester and June 1 for Autumn semester. For international students, the deadlines are November 15 and May 15 for Spring and Autumn semesters, respectively.

Applications received after the deadline may not receive full consideration for admission and will not be considered for funding.

PLEASE DO NOT upload, mail or email any of the following items to the Department of Geography and/or Graduate Admissions:

Writing samples (those may be requested by your mentor but they should NOT be part of your application)
Financial Documents (these will be requested by Graduate Admissions for every international applicant accepted into the program, but they should NOT be part of your application package).
Certificates of any kind
Photocopies of your passport

STEP THREE - Initial Completion

Your application should now be complete for review. To be sure, please check your application status by following the prompts on this link: Frequently Asked Questions.

STEP FOUR - Finish