Section 4: Admission

4.1 Joint Responsibility for Admission 

The admission of students to the Graduate School is the dual responsibility of the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate School. However, the Graduate School has the final authority for making admission decisions. The Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions receives and processes the application, which includes collecting the application fee, transcripts, and test scores. Admissions is also responsible for sending the official admission decision.

4.2 Application 

All degree and non-degree graduate applicants must use the online application. Visit the Graduate and Professional Admissions website to obtain graduate program information and access the online application.

4.3 Admission Criteria 

An applicant must submit documentation that demonstrates fulfillment of the following admission criteria or equivalent qualifications:

  • an earned baccalaureate or professional degree from an accredited college or university by the expected date of entry
  • a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative point-hour ratio (on the 4.0 scale used at this university) in all previous undergraduate and graduate work
  • prerequisite training that will enable the student to pursue the graduate program to which admission is sought
  • a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 79 on the internet-based TOEFL, 82 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This requirement applies only to an applicant from a country where the first language is not English, unless a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned in an English-speaking country
  • additional criteria published by the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Committee

4.4 Admission Materials

An applicant must submit the following materials (see instructions accompanying The Ohio State University Graduate School admission application for further details): 

  • completed application
  • non-refundable application fee
  • an official transcript from each college or university attended, listing all courses taken, grades and degrees earned, and dates of graduation (Ohio State students need not submit transcripts from this university; these will be supplied by internal procedures.)
  • three letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s academic program, scholastic ability, or professional performance
    • It is recommended that at least one of the letters be from the applicant’s undergraduate major advisor or from a faculty member who knows the applicant well. The letters should also address the applicant’s laboratory research experience, if applicable. 
  • a brief autobiographical statement describing the applicant’s educational and professional goals and objectives
  • additional material required by the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Committee
    • GRE general test scores
      • The GRE subject test is not required; however, if such scores are available they will be considered and evaluated
  • a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
  • English proficiency requirement (international students)

Note: Each admitted international applicant will also be required to submit certain financial documentation indicating that financial resources are available to defray the cost of graduate education.

The NGP will not accept any applicants who have an OSU faculty appointment, unless that person intends to resign from their faculty appointment prior to enrollment in the program.