How to Apply

Note to Applicants: Due to the large increase in application materials coming into our office, application statuses are updated once a week on Fridays. If you believe you have submitted something and it is not showing up as "Completed", please check back after 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon. If your item is still listed as "Initiated" at that point, then you are welcome to contact megrad_recruit@osu.edu to check on the status of your materials.

 

Applicants must fulfill admission criteria established by both Graduate School and the Mechanical Engineering program. For specific information and requirements regarding applications to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program, please click on the corresponding link below. An applicant whose baccalaureate degree is not from an ABET-accredited department of Mechanical Engineering or equivalent is required to take additional undergraduate work.

 

Domestic Applicant Information and Requirements

 

International Applicant Information and Requirements

 

If you are checking on your application status please use the following link to check the status of your application online: http://www.appstatus.osu.edu/

Domestic Applicant Information

Application Deadlines

Quarter Deadline
Autumn (September) December 15 for priority Fellowship and GTA consideration
  July 1 for general admission
Winter (January) November 1
Spring (March) February 1
Summer (June) May 1

Please note that ALL materials (Official transcripts, GRE scores, Statement of Purpose, Three Letters of Recommendation, and a Résumé) must be mailed or received  by the date indicated above for the quarter in which you wish to apply. 

Please include your full first and last name on any supplemental materials you are submitting, such as a résumé or a statement of purpose. This will help to prevent delays in processing your application.

If you have any questions about the required materials, please contact us at megrad_recruit@osu.edu.                   

General Application Information

  • Complete the application form online at http://www.gradapply.osu.edu/
    • If you are interested in possible funding from the department, please check the corresponding box in the "Funding Opportunities" section of the application. There are no additional financial aid forms unless students are seeking loans, in which case the FAFSA may be required. Please check the appropriate Financial Aid box(es) on the application form to request financial assistance from the department.
    • Please specify and rank any interest area(s) in the "Specialization, if any" field that you may be considering working in as this helps us identify a potential Faculty contact. The interest areas are AM = Applied Mechanics, DM = Design and Manufacturing, DSC = Dynamic Systems and Controls, EFT = Energy, Fluid, and Thermal Systems.
      • Students who are interested in the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) are encouraged to list that in the "Specialization, if any" field in addition to their preferred interest area(s).
  • Pay the application fee online
    • The application fee is $40 for Domestic students
    • If you are unable to apply online or pay the application fee online, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at domestic.grad@osu.edu.

Items That Need To Be Sent To Graduate Admissions 

  • One set of official transcripts*
  • Official GRE scores
    • The GRE is required if you meet any one of the following criteria: 
      • All M.S. and Ph.D. domestic applicants with a cumulative Undergraduate and/or Graduate GPA below 3.3
      • All M.S. and Ph.D. applicants who hold a non-engineering baccalaureate degree and/or a degree from a foreign university
      • All Ph.D. applicants with a master's degree from a foreign university
      • Eligibility in the Fellowship competition.

Mailing Address for Graduate Admissions:

The Ohio State University                                                                                                                                                         Graduate Admissions                                                                                                                                                                      P.O. Box 182004                                                                                                                                                                      Columbus, OH 43218-2003  USA  

Mailing address for Express mail: 

The Ohio State University                                                                                                                                                                      3rd Floor Lincoln Tower                                                                                                                                                                         1800 Cannon Drive                                                                                                                                                                Columbus, OH  43210-1270

Items That Need To Be Sent To Mechanical Engineering

  • One set of official transcripts*
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Should include your goals, your plan of study, your suitability for Graduate School, your strengths, achievements, extra curricular activities, etc. Please keep your statement focused and concise.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • Letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead, signed and mailed to us directly by the recommender in a signed, sealed envelope OR you can have your recommender complete the information online and send it electronically. If you choose to have the recommendation letters submitted online, you must indicate that you are doing so on your application by choosing the option to use the online reference form. Note: You only need to submit the recommendation letters in one format or the other. You do not need to send hard copies of the letters if your recommenders are submitting letters electronically.
  • A one or two page résumé (optional)
    • A résumé is only necessary if you would like to be considered for a Fellowship.
    • If you submitted a copy of your resume online when you submitted your application, you DO NOT need to send a hard copy.

Mailing Address for Mechanical Engineering:

Department of Mechanical Engineering                                                                                                                                   N250F Scott Laboratory                                                                                                                                                                    201 West 19th Ave.                                                                                                                                                                  Columbus, OH 43210-1142  USA  

If you would like to save time, you can e-mail your Statement of Purpose and Résumé to megrad_recruit@osu.edu. Please put "Statement of Purpose" and/or "Résumé" as the subject of the e-mail so we know what we are receiving.

*Important Note Regarding Applications                                                                                                                                    If all of your application materials are not received by four weeks prior to the quarter you intend to start, then your application will be cancelled. If your application is cancelled then you will have to reapply to the program for another quarter.

*Important Note Regarding Transcripts for Ohio State Students                                                                                             If you have attended all four years at OSU, and obtained the undergraduate degree here, then official transcripts are not required. The Admissions Office and the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program Office will pull up the transcript directly from the Registrar's online records upon your request. If you have 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 and the Department of Mechanical Engineering from the previous university.

FAQ's Regarding Admission

Application Questions

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.

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.

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

There are four mechanisms of support offered by the Mechanical 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". For more information on the different funding options, please click on the item that interests you.

Questions About the Application Process

How can I check my application status?

Visit the university's web page at:

Can the application fee be waived?

Neither the University nor the Mechanical Engineering Department will waive the application fee. If you were enrolled in a program such as the STARS program or the McNair's Scholar program a waiver may be possible. You will need to contact the person who you worked with in the program for more information on the waiver. Please be aware that if you do get a waiver, it may delay the processing of your application.

What is involved in the application process?

First, all materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office and the Mechanical Engineering Program as described on the previous page. 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.

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.

How many students do you admit each quarter?

There is no fixed number. We admit our best applicants. 

GRE, TOEFL, and Other Testing Questions

What are your institution and department codes for ETS (Educational Testing Services)?

The institution code is 1592 and the department code is 1502 for GRE.

Which forms of GRE 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; GRE Department Code: 1502) we will accept both Computer Based and Paper Based GRE.

What are the average GRE scores of your students?

We do not compile the average GRE score. The composite GRE for fellowship applicants must be in the 75th percentile or above.

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

No.

General Questions 

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 BS-PhD track.

Is Engineering Mechanics in Mechanical Engineering?

Yes. Engineering Mechanics is called Applied Mechanics and is a specialization within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

International Applicant Information

 

Application Deadlines

 

Quarter Deadline
Autumn (September) November 30 for priority Fellowship and GTA consideration
  July 1 for general admission
Winter (January) November 1
Spring (March) February 1
Summer (June) May 1

Please note that ALL materials (Official transcripts, GRE scores, Statement of Purpose, Three Letters of Recommendation, and a Résumé) must be mailed or received by the date indicated above for the quarter in which you wish to apply.

Please include your full first and last name on any supplemental materials you are submitting, such as a résumé or a statement of purpose. This will help to prevent delays in processing your application.

If you have any questions about the required materials, please contact us at megrad_recruit@osu.edu.                   

General Application Information

  • Complete the application form online at www.gradapply.osu.edu
    • If you are interested in possible funding from the department, please check the corresponding box in the "Funding Opportunities" section of the application. There are no additional financial aid forms. Please check the appropriate Financial Aid box(es) on the application form to request financial assistance.
    • Please specify and rank any interest area(s) in the "Specialization, if any" field that you may be considering working in as this helps us identify a potential Faculty contact. The interest areas are AM = Applied Mechanics, DM = Design and Manufacturing, DSC = Dynamic Systems and Controls, EFT = Energy, Fluid, and Thermal Systems.
      • Students who are interested in the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) are encouraged to list that in the "Specialization, if any" field in addition to their preferred interest area(s).
  • Pay the application fee online
    • The application fee is $50 for International students.
    • If you are unable to apply online or pay the application fee online, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at international.grad@osu.edu.

Items That Need To Be Sent To Graduate Admissions

 

Please send only the required items below to the Graduate Admissions Office. Extra items may delay the processing of your application.

  • One set of official transcripts*
  • Official GRE scores 
    • Official GRE scores must be submitted directly from ETS. The institution code is 1592 and the department code is 1502 for GRE scores.
    • The GRE is required of all international applicants unless they have received a B.S.M.E. from Ohio State.
    • 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 the Quantitative and Verbal 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.
  • Official TOEFL scores
    • Official TOEFL scores must be submitted directly from ETS. The institution code is 1592 and the department code is 68 for TOEFL scores.
    • Applicants from English speaking countries (please visit http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/criteria.html for a listing of countries and other criteria as defined by Graduate School) or those who have received a baccalaureate degree or higher from a US institution do not need to take the TOEFL. All other international applicants must take the TOEFL.

Mailing Address for Graduate Admissions:

The Ohio State University                                                                                                                                                         Graduate International Admissions                                                                                                                                                P.O. Box 182083                                                                                                                                                                      Columbus, OH 43218-2083  USA  

Mailing address for Express mail: 

The Ohio State University                                                                                                                                                                      3rd Floor Lincoln Tower                                                                                                                                                                         1800 Cannon Drive                                                                                                                                                                Columbus, OH  43210-1270

Items That Need To Be Sent To Mechanical Engineering 

 

Please send only the required items below to the ME Department. Extra items may delay the processing of your application.

  • One set of official transcripts*
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Should include your goals, your plan of study, your suitability for Graduate School, your strengths, achievements, extra curricular activities, etc. Please remember to keep it focused, concise, and limit the length to two pages (single spaced).
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • The letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead, signed and mailed to us directly by the recommender in a signed, sealed envelope OR you can have your recommender's fill out the information online and send it electronically. If you choose to have the recommendation letters submitted online, you must indicate that you are doing so on your application by choosing the option to use the online reference form. Note:  You only need to submit the recommendation letters in one format or the other. You do not need to send hard copies of the letters in if your recommenders are submitting the letters electronically.
  • A one or two page résumé (optional)
    • Only necessary if you would like to be considered for a Fellowship.
    • If you submitted a copy of your resume online when you submitted your application, you DO NOT need to send a hard copy.

Mailing Address for Mechanical Engineering:

Department of Mechanical Engineering                                                                                                                                   N250F Scott Laboratory                                                                                                                                                                    201 West 19th Ave.                                                                                                                                                                  Columbus, OH 43210-1142  USA  

If you would like to save time, you can e-mail your Statement of Purpose and Résumé to megrad_recruit@osu.edu. Please put "Statement of Purpose" and/or "Résumé" as the subject of the e-mail so we know what we are receiving.

Please DO NOT send bank statements, financial affidavits, or other such items with your initial application as those documents can delay the processing of your application.

*Important Notes Regarding Applications                                                                                                                                     1) When sending application materials to the department or checking on your application status, please DO NOT include your applicant ID on the information you send us. Your first and last name or e-mail address is all we need to look up your status. The applicant ID is for your use only to check the status of your application using the online system.

2) If all of your application materials are not received by four weeks prior to the quarter you intend to start, then your application will be cancelled. If your application is cancelled then you will have to reapply to the program for another quarter.

*Important Note Regarding Transcripts for Ohio State Students                                                                                             If you have attended all four years at OSU, and obtained the undergraduate degree here, then official transcripts are not required. The Admissions Office and the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program Office will pull up the transcript directly from the Registrar's online records upon your request. If you have 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 and the Department of Mechanical Engineering from the previous university.

FAQ's Regarding Admission

Application Questions

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.

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.

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

There are four mechanisms of support offered by the Mechanical 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". For more information on the different funding options, please click on the item that interests you.

Questions About the Application Process

How can I check my application status?

Visit the university's web page at:

Can the application fee be waived?

Neither the University nor the Mechanical Engineering Department will waive the application fee.

What is involved in the application process?

First, all materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office and the Mechanical Engineering Program as described on the previous page. 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.

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.

How many students do you admit each quarter?

There is no fixed number. We admit our best applicants. 

GRE, TOEFL, and Other Testing Questions

What are your institution and department codes for ETS (Educational Testing Services)?

The institution code is 1592; the department code is 1502 for GRE and 68 for TOEFL.

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: 1502 for GRE and 68 for TOEFL), we will accept both Computer Based and Paper Based GRE and TOEFL test scores.

What are the average GRE and TOEFL scores of your students?

The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 79 (internet based), 213 (computer based) and 550 (paper based). We do not compile the average GRE score. The composite GRE for fellowship applicants must be in the 75th percentile or above.

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

No.

 Do I need to take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or TWE (Test of Written English)?

No.

General Questions 

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 BS-PhD track.

Is Engineering Mechanics in Mechanical Engineering?

Yes. Engineering Mechanics is called Applied Mechanics and is a specialization within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.