The Ohio State University

Below is a timeline of events for students who have been admitted to the program and whose intent is to join the program. The information provided below is directed towards those who will start in the Autumn quarter. If you will be starting in Winter, Spring, or Summer quarter, please contact megradprogram@osu.edu for specific information about what you should be doing prior to the first day of classes.

After Your Official Admission

• Within 3-5 days, admitted students will receive a congratulatory e-mail from the department stating you have been admitted, along with information pertaining to financial aid.
• Within a week of your official admission you will receive official notification from Graduate Admissions that you have been accepted.
• Domestic students will receive an Acceptance Statement via e-mail.
• International students will receive an e-mail with an Affidavit of Financial Support and a Graduate Budget attached. Students must submit the Affidavit of Financial Support and be able to show that they can support themselves (via departmental support, a Fellowship, a sponsorship, etc.) before they can officially accept the offer to join the program. After the financial documents are completed, students will receive I-20 information from Graduate Admissions.
• As soon as students are admitted they can begin to contact faculty members and inquire about possible GRA positions. Unlike GTA positions or Fellowship awards, there is no time table for GRA offers as they can be offered any time after the student's initial admission.

2^nd Week of March

• Letters are sent to students who won Fellowships.

Last Week of March/ First Week of April

• Official GTA offers are sent to students

April 15

• Fellowship deadline. Students who were awarded a Fellowship must notify OSU whether or not they are acceptingthe Fellowship offer.

June - September

• Peer mentors are assigned and information regarding your peer mentor will be e-mailed to you.
• Peer mentors are an excellent resource and they are meant to help you get acquainted with campus and life as a graduate student.
• Temporary faculty advisors are assigned
• Your temporary advisor will recommend classes and assist you with any questions you may have until you choose your own permanent advisor.

Mid July

• An official packet will be mailed to you from the Graduate School containing information about registering, obtaining a parking pass, important dates, etc.
• International students will not receive a packet in the mail, rather they will be sent directly to us. Students will need to come by N250H Scott Lab after they arrive on campus to pick up their packet.

Late August - Early September

• Students should begin to arrive on campus.
• Students can begin registering classes for Autumn quarter. Contact your temporary faculty advisor for specific suggestions.
• International students must complete the Office of International Affairs (OIA) mandatory orientation before they can register for courses.
• Students should obtain a BuckID after they register for courses. Please remember to bring a photo ID when you go to obtain your BuckID.
• A BuckID is required for access to RPAC, riding the COTA buses, checking materials out at the libraries, and numerous other things across the campus.

September 21^st  

• New student orientation presented by the Graduate School
• Students will be introduced to the university and different resource providers from across the campus will be available for students to meet and learn about the services offered.

September 22^nd  

• New Mechanical Engineering student orientation
• Students will be introduced to the department. The Graduate Coordinator, Janeen Sands, will go over the program requirements and answer questions; faculty will introduce their research, and you'll get introduced to Scott Lab and the campus.

September 23^rd  

• Classes begin

September 25^th

• Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Picnic at Fred Beekman Park