When will I know that you have received my application? 

Within 1–5 days of submitting your application, you will receive an e-mail acknowledgment that your application was received. This e-mail will include an Ohio State Username (lastname.#) and OSU ID and instructions for monitoring the status of your application. If you notice that any of your information is incorrect on your acknowledgement notice, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

When can I know of an admissions decision? 

It takes between 8 and 12 weeks to review an application and make an admissions decision. Note that the time begins after we have received all required academic material.

How can I check the status of my application? 

Within 1–5 days of submitting your application, you received an e-mail acknowledgment that included:

• Your Ohio State Username (lastname.#) and OSU ID
• Instructions for activating your username and creating a password
• Instructions for checking the status of your application

If you misplaced the e-mail or lost the information, you can contact one of the following offices:

• Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience at +1-614-292-3980
• IT Service Desk at +1-614-688-4357for 8help@osu.edu. The Office of Information Technology will not be able to check your status for you or give you other application information. Just let them know that you need to obtain your application identification or password.

I received an e-mail saying that I have been recommended for admission. What does that mean? 

In addition to a review of academic credentials, all international applicants must pass an English proficiency and financial review process. The e-mail is letting you know that you have passed the academic review portion of the process. You now need to submit proof of English language proficiency and/or financial documents to complete the process. No student can be issued a letter of admission without passing the academic, financial, and English proficiency reviews.

How do I change my application for admission
to a future semester? 

If you choose not to attend Ohio State during the semester for which you have applied, you may update your application for up to two subsequent semesters without paying another application fee. Current financial documentation is important; if the financial documentation submitted with your original application will be more than one year old prior to the date classes begin for your desired semester, you will be required to submit a new Affidavit of Support form and bank statement. Contact Undergraduate Admissions to request that we update your application.

I cannot complete my application by the deadline.
What should I do? 

Application material received after the application deadline will be considered only after we have finished processing material that was received on time. If you sent academic material after the deadline, it will remain as “initiated” on your application status site. It will remain that way until we finish processing material that was sent to us before the application status deadline. This may take several weeks.

I already sent my high school documents, but my status says you are missing my 9th grade transcript. In my country 9th grade is not considered high school, it is middle/junior school. Do I still have to submit it? 

Yes, we require all students from all countries who are still in upper secondary school (high school) to submit full-year transcripts from their school(s) from year 9 to their final year.

My application status shows that you need my SAT or ACT scores. However, in my country the tests are not offered.  

Students who meet either of the following criteria will need to submit SAT or ACT scores, regardless of their country of residence or citizenship:

• Students who have not yet graduated from an upper secondary school (high school) will need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
• Students who have graduated from an upper secondary school (high school) but have not yet completed 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours (as determined by Ohio State) will need to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Have you received my documents? 

We receive thousands of applications and application material every week. Unfortunately, we cannot verify when individual letters arrive. After we receive material, it will take up to 14 days before it will be reflected on your application status. Please do not write to us inquiring if we have your material unless:

• It has been over 21 days since you sent it, or
• You sent it with other material that is reflected as being here

I already submitted my TOEFL, IELTS, or financial documents, but when I check my status it shows as “initiated.” Why? 

We do not mark items as being here if they do not meet our minimum criteria. Please check minimum application requirements.

I am responding to an e-mail that asks for application material, but I already sent it. Have you received it? 

Sometimes our communications cross. Please note that documents received before the application deadline may take up to 14 days for us to process.

What are your admission requirements for international freshmen? 

For admission requirements, visit undergrad.osu.edu/INTadmissions.

What are your admission requirements for international transfer students? 

For admission requirements, visit undergrad.osu.edu/admissions/INTadmissions.

Am I a transfer student or a freshman student? 

Complete the application for international undergraduate admission truthfully and completely and we will determine your status. Most of the time, students who have not yet graduated from an upper secondary school (high school) are considered freshman applicants.

What educational records must I submit with my application? 

The types of required educational records vary depending on the educational system and may include student books, exam results, diplomas, mark sheets, and transcripts. The records should show a complete list of courses taken, grades received, and any diplomas or certificates earned. They should also indicate the number of credits awarded for each course or the number of hours of classroom, lecture, and laboratory and include information about the school’s grading scale.

An English translation must be submitted along with the original official record if your school does not provide the record in English. The English translation must be certified by an appropriate school official, official translator, or U.S. embassy or consulate official. If you are currently enrolled, submit current transcripts (showing all work completed to date) by the recommended application deadline. Please send final transcripts, reflecting all work completed, as soon as they become available.

Are official educational records required? 

Yes.

Educational records are official if they are original documents. Copies attested by the school are also acceptable if they are sent from the school directly to Ohio State. Also, a certified true copy, attested by an embassy official, the Ministry of Education, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, can be substituted when institutions prohibit the issuance of transcripts directly to Ohio State.

Official certification is usually signified by an original ink stamp or raised seal of the appropriate government agency or of the issuing school and is often accompanied by the original signature. Certification by a notary public or other agency is not acceptable.

Course work from one institution reported as transfer credit on another school’s transcript does not constitute an official transcript.

Faxed or e-mailed documents are not acceptable.

All documents submitted become the property of The Ohio State University and will not be returned.

What should I do if my educational records are not available? 

If your educational records are unavailable for any reason, you must contact an Overseas Advising Center or an Ohio State international admissions counselor for assistance on how to proceed.

What do you mean by “high school transcript”? 

Depending on your educational system, it can be your semester, quarter, or final results; your IGCSE results; your Board results; your marksheets; or other academic documents that show your performance in your upper secondary school (high school) or university.

What are the application deadlines? 

Read about deadlines for international freshmen and transfer students. All of your application materials must be received by the deadlines. Applications received or completed after these dates will be considered on a space-available basis only.

Will you accept my scanned/faxed documents? 

The only scanned or faxed documents we will accept are the financial documents. All academic documents must be submitted by mail or courier.

Where do I send my application documents such as transcripts? 

Please send all undergraduate application material to:
Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience
154 W 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
USA

I have been asked to provide you with an address outside the U.S. How can I do so? 

You can e-mail the address to us at int.undergrad@osu.edu. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and application identification number. You may also call us at +1-614-292-3980 and ask to speak with an admissions counselor.

I have been asked to provide an Affidavit of Financial Support form. Where can I find this form? 

U.S. federal regulations require that students seeking an F-1 student visa complete an Affidavit of Financial Support. You can download the form on our Apply page. Submit it via an e-mail attachment to int.undergrad@osu.edu or via fax to +1-614-292-4818.

Where can I find more information about the majors
offered at Ohio State? 

Search the database on our majors web site to find information about each major offered at Ohio State.

Can I choose “undecided” as my major at Ohio State? 

International students must declare a major before the application will be considered for admission. You cannot indicate “undecided” as your proposed field of study.

My major is not offered at Ohio State. 

We invite you to examine the majors available; your area of interest may be found within our over 175 areas of study. If you feel your educational objective can be met at Ohio State, we encourage you to apply.

Does Ohio State offer courses or degree programs via the web or correspondance? 

Ohio State has begun a comprehensive program to bring distance education offerings to both existing and potential Ohio State students. As new courses are developed, they are listed with Technology Enhanced Learning and Research. You will find a listing of distance education courses and information about other ongoing work in this area.

I want to study English as a second language (ESL)
at Ohio State. 

Our on-campus ESL program is called the American Language Program (ALP). If you have any questions, please contact:

American Language Program
The Ohio State University
60 Arps Hall
1945 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43210 USA
Phone:  (614) 292-1364
Fax:  (614) 292-4054
E-mail: alp@osu.edu

Answers to most of your questions can be found on the ALP web site.

How may I apply online to the English as a
Second Language program? 

If you wish to be considered for admission to the American Language Program, the intensive English language program on the campus of The Ohio State University, you must complete an application form and submit all required application materials.

Apply for the American Language Program (ALP).

If I enroll in the American Language Program, am I guaranteed admission to Ohio State? 

Please be aware that admission to or enrollment in the American Language Program (ALP) does not guarantee admission to an academic program at Ohio State.

Will I be able to take English as a Second Language classes and regular classes at the same time? 

You will not be able to register for courses outside of the ALP curriculum during your enrollment in ALP. Also, admission or enrollment in the American Language Program (ALP) does not guarantee admission to an academic program at Ohio State. 

Do you provide conditional admission? 

No, we do not offer conditional admission of any kind. Applicants must submit and meet all application requirements prior to receiving an admissions decision.

How can I pay the application fee? 

You will be asked for a credit card number when you submit the online application. If you do not have a credit card, please call Undergraduate Admissions and ask to speak with an admissions counselor.

I cannot afford the application fee. Can the application fee be waived? 

No. University policy states that payment of the application fee cannot be waived or postponed. Additionally, an admission decision cannot be made on your application until the payment is received.

Many international applicants resolve this difficulty by having a friend or relative pay the application fee for them, and they repay that person after arriving here. If for some reason you have difficulty in getting money out of your country, your bank may wire the application fee.

Will my application be processed if I do not pay the application fee? Can I pay it after I am admitted? 

No. University policy states that payment of the application fee cannot be waived or postponed. An admission decision cannot be made on your application until the payment is received. Your application materials will not be processed without the application fee.

Can a friend in the United States pay the application fee for me? 

Yes. They should provide you with their credit card information so you can use it when you submit your online application.

Can I use the online application without a credit card? 

No, it is not possible to use the online application if you do not have a credit card.

Can I pay the application fee via credit card without using the online application? 

No, it is not possible to pay the application fee via credit card if you do not intend to apply online.

How may I wire the application fee to Ohio State? 

If you need to transfer funds from your bank to Ohio State’s bank, Bank One in Columbus, your bank may wire the application fee money to:

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A.
100 E. Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
ABA Number: routing number: 021000021 wires only
ABA Number: routing number: 044000037 ACH only
Swift Code (International): CHASUS33
Bank Account Name: The Ohio State University Tuition Deposits
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 981099911REFERENCE: Application fee for (student’s name and applicant identification number)

Please notify Undergraduate Admissions once the funds have been wired.

May I submit photocopies of my TOEFL and SAT score reports? 

Photocopies of test scores are not considered official and will not be recorded as having been received. You must contact the testing providers to have them send your test scores directly to Ohio State. For TOEFL contact ETS and for SAT contact College Board. Ohio State’s institution code is 1592.

May I submit MELAB scores in place of TOEFL scores? 

If you are unable to schedule the TOEFL, contact an international admissions counselor. You may be referred to take the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) to demonstrate your English proficiency. Please be aware that we do not accept institutional test scores from other universities.

Can you forward a copy of the TOEFL or SAT score report that I sent you to another university? 

We cannot forward copies of your score reports to other institutions because we do not retain paper copies of score reports. Also, a score report is only considered official if it is sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). If you need to order additional score reports, contact ETS.

What is the TOEFL/English requirement of Ohio State? 

Ohio State requires proof that you are proficient in the English language. The university does not conditionally admit applicants who have not met the English language proficiency requirement. Please arrange early in the application process to have an official test score report sent directly to Ohio State by the testing agency.

English language proficiency can be demonstrated by submitting one of the following:

• an official score of at least 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• an official score of at least 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL
• an official score of at least 79 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
• an official SAT Critical Reading or Verbal score of at least 500
• an official ACT English score of at least 21
• an official band score of at least 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• official documentation that you were educated primarily or received a bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the following countries: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

Score results must be from a test taken within the last two years.

My entire education was in English. Must I take the TOEFL? 

You do not have to take the TOEFL if you submit official documentation that you were educated primarily in one of the following countries: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

I attended high school or a college/university in an English-speaking country. Must I take the TOEFL? 

You may be exempt, if you can provide official documentation that you were educated primarily or received a bachelor’s or higher degree in one of the following countries: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

May I be conditionally admitted before receiving an acceptable score on the TOEFL? 

The Ohio State University does not admit applicants who have not met the requirement for proof of English proficiency. Those applicants required to submit TOEFL or MELAB scores must do so before they can be officially admitted.

Will Ohio State accept an institutional TOEFL or MELAB score report from another university? 

No. We do not accept score reports of institutional tests from other institutions.

Does Ohio State ever waive the English proficiency requirement or accept a lower score? 

No. The Ohio State University does not admit applicants who have not met the requirement for proof of English proficiency. Those applicants required to submit TOEFL or MELAB scores must do so before they can be officially admitted.

Are ACT or SAT scores required? 

International freshman and transfer applicants with less than 45 transferable quarter hours (30 semester hours) are required to submit ACT or SAT scores to be considered for admission to The Ohio State University.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score required by Ohio State? 

The Ohio State University does not specify minimum SAT or ACT scores.

Does Ohio State offer financial aid or scholarships to international undergraduate students? 

Read about the International Undergraduate Scholarship.

What are some sources of financial aid? 

In addition to Ohio State’s International Undergraduate Scholarship, we’ve gathered a list of resources you may wish to pursue:

• Educational agencies in your home country
• Universities in your home country
• Your embassy
• The U.S. Department of State
• The U.S. Department of Education
• The U.S. Information Agency
• Private U.S. and international organizations, foundations and agencies
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators
• Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
• Agency for International Development
• Editors of ethnic newspapers published in the U.S.
• International Group Services
• Rotary Clubs in your home country, usually called Ambassadorial Scholarships (average US$12,000, maximum US$25,000)
• Institute of International Education (IIE): student’s home country IIE sites may list scholarships opportunities for a specific country (e.g. www.iiehongkong.org/)
• American Chamber of Commerce in various countries (Google search for specific locations)
• www.fastweb.com
• www.edupass.org/finaid
• www.collegenet.com
• Government scholarships: students should contact their government/embassies and talk to an Education Attache or the Education Department/Ministry to enquire about government scholarships.
• Individual companies, especially your parents’ company (especially for Engineering students)
• United Nations
• World Bank Scholarship
• The College Board
• EducationUSA
• FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page
• International Education Financial Aid
• Peterson’s Education Center
• www.InternationalScholarships.com
• www.internationalstudentloan.com
• www.internationalstudents.com
• www.StudyAbroadLoans.com
• www.uscampus.com
• www.aief-usa.org
• www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
• Yahoo: Financial Aid
• The Foundation Center
• College Scholarships, Colleges, and Online Degrees
• The Princeton Review
• eStudentLoan
• International Education Finance Corporation
• Rotary International
• The Scholarship Page

What should I expect at the VISA interview at the U.S. embassy? 

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) has excellent information for new and prospective students regarding how to obtain a student visa for study in the United States. Go to OIA’s Visa Information web page. An overview of the process of obtaining a student visa for study in the United States can be found on the U.S. Department of State web site.

I currently hold an F-1 VISA. How do I transfer to Ohio State? 

Go to OIA’s Transfer web page for information.

I am planning to visit Ohio State. Where can I get information
about tours? 

More information is available on the campus visit web page, including information about academic visit options, career days, and open houses. We encourage international students to contact an international admissions counselor to schedule a tour of the campus and an advising session. Additional links of interest to visiting students include a listing of hotel accommodations and directions to campus.

How do I order a university bulletin? 

Ohio State does not publish a traditional bulletin series; however, students are encouraged to follow these links to descriptions of our colleges and schools, undergraduate majors, and course offerings.

What services are available to students with disabilities? 

Applicants with any disability, permanent or temporary, who may require special assistance, will find physical and academic support and accommodation available at Ohio State. Individuals eligible for services include, but are not limited to, those with mobility, hearing, visual, speech, or learning disabilities. If you need more information about these support services, please contact the Office for Disability Services, 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1297 USA, telephone: (614) 292-3307.

May I write to Ohio State in a language other than English? 

Ohio State cannot respond to correspondence written in any language other than English.

How do I accept my admission to The Ohio State University? 

An Acceptance Fee Statement will be included in the packet sent to you if you are admitted. Please follow the instructions on this statement and return it as soon as possible, along with the US$100 acceptance fee.

I received my admission mailing too late to return it on time. Is my admission canceled? 

We understand that it can take several weeks for mail to reach destinations overseas. We will not rescind your admission if we receive your Acceptance Fee Statement after the deadline printed on the form. Your admission is still valid.

Should an acceptance fee accompany the Acceptance Fee Statement? 

Yes, the acceptance fee is US$100. You cannot register for classes until you have formally accepted your admission and paid the US$100 acceptance fee. We do not accept credit card payments. You must submit a bank check or bank draft drawn on U.S. dollars. Most foreign banks that have branches in the United States will be able to issue you a bank draft or cashier’s check made payable to The Ohio State University.

How do I decline the offer of admission? 

If you are admitted, an Acceptance Fee Statement will be sent to you. This statement has a date on it and instructions that you should return the form, indicating that you are declining the offer of admission. You may also contact Undergraduate Admissions via phone, fax, or e-mail to inform us that you decline the offer. We appreciate your interest and hope that you will consider reapplying to Ohio State in the future. We will retain your file for approximately one year. If you wish to be considered for admission in the future, please notify Undergraduate Admissions.

I received my letter of admission but I did not receive my I-20 or SEVIS transfer document. How can I request my I-20 or SEVIS transfer document? 

Please pay your acceptance fee of US$100. Once we have received payment we will issue an I-20 or a SEVIS transfer document. Please note that it may take up to 14 days after we process your payment before we send you the SEVIS document.

I already sent payment to indicate my acceptance, but it is not reflected on my status and I have not received my I-20 or SEVIS transfer form. 

It can take up to five days after we receive your payment for us to process it. After we process your payment, it can take up to 14 days for us to issue you an I-20 or SEVIS transfer document.

Can I pay tuition before coming to Ohio State or immediately upon arrival? 

No, it is not possible to pay tuition until after registering for classes. Please do not send a tuition payment until you have registered for classes. You will not be able to register for classes until after you have checked in with the Office of International Affairs.

Do I have to take the English placement test? 

Virtually all non-native English speakers are required to take a written English composition placement test when they arrive at Ohio State. You may be exempt from this requirement if you:

• score 650 or higher on the TOEFL
• score 95 or higher on the MELAB
• score at least 610 on the TOEFL and score 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE) or Essay or at least 90 on the MELAB and 90 on the writing subscore
• were previously enrolled in an academic program at Ohio State

Your scores on the placement test will determine whether you must take one or more special English courses concurrently with a reduced academic course load. English as a Second Language courses cannot be used as credit towards a degree.

Do I have to take the mathematics skills assessment? 

Most undergraduate students have to take the math skills assessment online prior to orientation. Get more information at the Math Skills Assessment Information web site, including sample questions.

What does it mean to be provisionally admitted? 

Many students are admitted to The Ohio State University with the stipulation that certain documents must be received by Undergraduate Admissions before the first day of classes in the first quarter of enrollment. If you have been admitted provisionally, you applied to Ohio State before you completed your studies at your previous institution. Your admission status will remain provisional until we receive an official final transcript from every previous institution which you attended. You may send the required document(s) before coming to Ohio State or bring them to Undergraduate Admissions once you arrive on campus. If you are unable to provide the required documents before your first quarter at Ohio State, please have your home institution provide a letter indicating why your documents are unavailable and when they will become available. Failure to submit the documents may affect your ability to enroll.

Can I remove Ohio State health insurance from my bill? 

Health care costs in the United States are very expensive. For this reason, it is mandatory that international students and their families carry health insurance. If you have other insurance and you wish to have the Ohio State insurance charge waived, then you must contact the Office of International Affairs to determine whether the coverage provided is adequate. Go to OIA’s Health Insurance web page.

How do I arrange airport pick-up? 

It is very easy to reach campus from the airport by taxi or via the public bus system (COTA). The Office of International Affairs offers advice on how to get to campus.

What should I do when I arrive on campus? 

International students who arrive in Columbus on a weekday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. should first go to the Office of International Affairs (OIA). OIA is located on the first floor of Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Avenue, in Columbus. If you have further questions, e-mail OIA at iss@oia.osu.edu.

When should I arrive on campus? 

If students hold an F-1 visa, they can arrive on campus no earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of classes. Many students find it helpful to schedule their arrival date in relation to the orientation they want to attend.

Should I bring health records with me? 

If you are an international student, it is a good idea to bring a record of your immunizations. During your orientation program at the Office of International Affairs (OIA), there is a scheduled international health screening at the Wilce Student Health Center. For more information, visit OIA's Helpful Points Before Coming to Ohio State. If you have further questions, e-mail OIA at iss@oia.osu.edu.

What are some hotels in The Ohio State University area? 

Ohio State’s Visit Campus web site includes a list of hotel accommodations.

How do I apply for on-campus housing? 

To apply for University Residences, mark your interest in receiving a residence hall application on the application for admission. If you are admitted, you will receive a housing contract around the same time that you receive your notice of admission. To apply for a residence hall, return the completed housing contract as soon as possible. Rooms in residence halls fill quickly.

How do I contact the housing office? 

Housing information can be obtained by visiting the University Residences web site or by e-mail at housing@osu.edu.

I do not want to live in a residence hall. How do I get information about finding an apartment or roommate? 

The Office of Off-Campus Student Services exists to provide services and information to students of The Ohio State University who do not reside in the campus residence halls. Among other services, this office provides listings of apartments for rent.

Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS)
Tel: (614) 292-0100; Fax: (614) 292-4786
Web: offcampus.osu.edu
E-mail: off-campus@osu.edu

Where can I register for classes? 

You will register for classes after you arrive on campus, during your orientation program

How may I know which classes are currently being offered at Ohio State? 

To explore courses, start with our Course Catalog, which you can find in the Academics section at buckeyelink.osu.edu.

Is there an orientation for new international students? 

Students with an F1 or J1 visa will receive information about “Get Started at OSU,” a mandatory orientation program that will allow you to complete the important tasks necessary to start classes. It is very important that you attend this program so that you will be able to start classes on time.

You should arrive two days before your orientation date. During your orientation, you will take an English composition placement test (if required), get your student identification card (called BuckID), and attend an academic advising session to register for classes. The Office of International Affairs provides Check-in / Orientation information.

All other students will receive an orientation information packet after they have been admitted. Detailed information about this orientation program can be found at orientation.osu.edu.

Does Ohio State give credit for CLEP examinations? 

Ohio State will award credit for acceptable scores on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Credit is awarded for subject exams only. Score reports should be forwarded to Undergraduate Admissions for review.

How does Ohio State award credit for results of GCE, IB, German Abitur, and Canadian CEGEP exams?  

Ohio State may award transfer credit for exemplary performance on the GCE, IB, German Abitur, or Canadian CEGEP exams, as shown below. (Contact an international undergraduate admissions counselor for additional information).

• GCE A Levels (Advanced Levels): 15 quarter hours for grades A through E except general papers
• GEC AS Levels (Advanced Supplementary/ Subsidiary Level): 8 quarter hours for grades A through E except general paper
• IB (International Baccalaureate): 8 quarter hours for grades 4 or higher for higher level exams
• German Abitur: up to 15 quarter hours for subjects studied throughout the 12th and 13th years, as well as the major subjects (leistrungskurse) passed with a grade of ausreichend or better
• Canadian CEGEP: transfer credit for C- or better

Will Ohio State evaluate my credit before I submit the application for admission?  

We are unable to provide you with an evaluation of the transfer credit that you might receive. This is a time-consuming process that is not done until we are ready to offer admission to an applicant.

How is transfer credit awarded? 

In general, transfer credit is awarded for non-technical, non-remedial courses in which a grade of C- or higher is earned. Some courses will be evaluated as direct Ohio State equivalents. Other courses cannot be fully evaluated until you arrive on campus and meet with designated faculty members in the appropriate programs.

What is general credit? 

General credit, designated as Gen, is awarded when a specific course equivalency is possible but cannot be readily determined. Many academic departments want to review transfer course work on a case-by-case basis, so they instruct Undergraduate Admissions to award general credit for certain kinds of courses. Your academic advisor may advise you to have the general credit further evaluated to determine a specific course equivalency, if possible. This action will help you to avoid registering for courses which may duplicate previous course work.

What is special credit? 

Special credit, designated as Spl, means that Ohio State does not offer a course equivalent to the course you completed, but the course is recognized as being college level. Special credit may be used to fulfill degree requirements upon approval by your academic advisor in your college office. Special credit is usually used as elective hours.

What is undefined technical credit? 

Undefined technical credit is awarded for technical course work that is acceptable as undergraduate credit at Ohio State, but cannot be assigned to an existing Ohio State department.

What is deferred or unknown credit? 

Deferred or unknown is the designation given to course work that may or may not be acceptable as undergraduate credit. It is not included in the total hours awarded, nor is it added to your Ohio State record until a transfer credit coordinator further evaluates the course(s) to determine whether or not credit can be awarded.

What is technical credit? 

Technical credit is awarded for technical course work that is acceptable as undergraduate credit at Ohio State. Like general and special credit, technical credit counts toward overall earned hours, but application of such credit toward degree programs is determined by your academic advisor in your college office. Technical credit is rarely awarded by Ohio State during an initial transfer credit evaluation; it is usually the result of having deferred credit further evaluated by an academic department.

I have been admitted to Ohio State and want to know exact course equivalents for the classes I am transferring. When will I know how my credits transfer to Ohio State? 

When you arrive on campus, you will meet with an academic advisor who will determine how your previous course work will apply to your program of study. We cannot give you specific information before you arrive on campus.

What documents will help Ohio State to evaluate my credit? 

Please bring a syllabus for each course that you have completed. The syllabus should include a description of the course content, the length of the course, and how much time was spent in the course. Also, we suggest that you consider copying the index and first pages of the textbooks that you used in each class. This will help the transfer credit evaluators to evaluate your course work correctly. If these documents are not originally in English, please have them translated into English, preferably by the institution publishing them.

How long will it take to earn my bachelor’s degree? 

The amount of transfer credit that you receive, along with the specific courses awarded credit, determine your standing at Ohio State. We cannot be specific about how long it will take you to earn a bachelor’s degree. An academic advisor in your college office can determine this once your course work has been completely evaluated after you arrive on campus. Ohio State’s degree programs do not follow a year-by-year curriculum. Therefore, if you are admitted with two years of transfer credit, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete your bachelor’s degree in two additional years. Specific courses awarded credit, along with the total credit hours awarded, will determine your actual standing.