International admissions
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Admission criteria

Ohio State has a competitive admission process in which students are considered for admission based largely on their academic performance and credentials.

For international freshmen

Admission to the university is competitive, emphasizing three primary academic factors:

1. Successful completion of four years of a university preparatory curriculum (also known as college preparatory curriculum or college prep) while in the final four years (grades 9 – 12) of high school/secondary school.
   
View minimum college prep requirements. 

College prep requirements = a minimum of 16 units of study while in high school distributed among the areas of study in the list below, over your final four years (grades 9 – 12).

One unit of study is equivalent to one full academic year of study in a single academic subject.

( ) = the recommended number of units for strong preparation.

4 units of English
3 (4) units of math
3 units of natural science with significant lab experience
2 (3) units of social science
2 (3) units of the same foreign language (If your native language is not English, you may use your native language course work to meet this requirement.)
1 unit of a visual or performing art
1 additional unit of the above courses



2. Performance in high school/secondary school as shown by class rank or grade point average
   
   
3. Performance on the ACT or SAT with writing (see “Application requirements” below)

You may be given additional consideration if:

• you attend a competitive high school/secondary school
• you have taken accelerated courses (e.g., Honors, AP, IB)
• you have demonstrated outstanding talent in a particular area
• you have been involved in extracurricular activities, had significant work experience, or held leadership positions
• your high school/secondary school performance was adversely affected by physical, mental, or learning environment factors

For international transfer students

If you have fewer than 30 semester hours (fewer than 45 quarter hours) of earned credit from a previous university, the application process considers the following primary factors (note that earned credits do not include English as a Second Language or remedial courses):

• Performance in high school/secondary school as shown by class rank, or grade point average
• Successful completion of a university preparatory curriculum (also known as college preparatory curriculum or college prep) while in the final four years (grades 9 – 12) of high school/secondary school
• Overall university grade point average of at least a 2.5 (out of a 4.0) or your institution’s equivalent as determined by Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience in all college, university, or post-secondary course work (some majors require a higher GPA; read more about enrollment criteria)
• Performance on the ACT or SAT (required only of students who have graduated from high school/secondary school in the last two years)

If you have 30 or more semester hours (45 or more quarter hours) of earned credit from a previous university, the competitive academic admissions review process considers these primary factors:

• Overall grade point average of at least 2.5 (out of a 4.0) or your institution’s equivalent as determined by Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience in all college, university, or post-secondary course work (some majors require a higher GPA; read more about enrollment criteria)
• Strong grades in courses related to your desired major

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of upper-division course work in their majors at Ohio State in order to graduate with an Ohio State degree. Students at other universities who have already completed upper-division course work in their majors should seriously consider finishing their degrees at their current university and may wish to consider graduate degree programs at Ohio State.

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Application requirements

Learn how to apply online, print a checklist of required application materials, and download forms at undergrad.osu.edu/apply.

Note: All materials sent in support of your application become the property of The Ohio State University and cannot be returned, forwarded to another institution, or duplicated. Undergraduate application materials remain in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience for one year after the semester of application.

International applicants must meet the following seven requirements.

1. Four-year American high school diploma or equivalent

The Ohio State University requires that you earn a four-year American high school diploma OR its equivalent for enrollment to the university. Visit Credentials by country for a list of country-specific requirements.

2. Official ACT or SAT scores with writing

You must submit at least one ACT or SAT score set with a writing exam score (read "Important information about test scores" below). Please use institutional code 3312 for the ACT or 1592 for the SAT.

Test scores are not required from students who graduated from high school two or more years ago, and transfer students with 30 or more semester hours of earned credit from a previous university.

Test waiver: A student who does not have access to a testing center in his or her country is expected to make every effort to get to another country to take the test. In rare situations, we may consider granting a test waiver. However, before you petition for a waiver, please note: (1) unless your application is very strong in other ways, the absence of the required ACT or SAT test score weakens your chance of being admitted, and (2) students wishing to apply to programs with enrollment criteria (such as engineering and business; see enrollment criteria) are not eligible for a test waiver. A waiver request is not required from students who graduated from high school two or more years ago, and transfer students with 30 or more semester hours of earned credit from a previous university. Complete the waiver request under "Special Circumstances" when you apply online.

Important information about test scores

At Ohio State, we believe in the fundamental importance of effective writing; strong writing skills are critical to success in college and beyond. We require that all applicants submit at least one ACT and/or SAT score set with writing exam scores. The writing score will be used as part of a holistic review when considering admissions applications; writing scores will not factor into criteria for scholarships or selection for specific academic programs.

When considering students for admission, scholarships, or Honors/Scholars selection, we will consider the best official composite/combined score from a single test administration. Ohio State does not mix sub-scores from multiple tests.

We must receive official scores, sent directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered. We must receive test scores by the appropriate application and/or scholarship deadline. Students should plan to test at least six weeks prior to deadlines to allow sufficient time for scores to be sent to Ohio State.

3. Official academic transcripts/documents

You must provide official academic records and transcripts of all previous academic course work when applying for admission. Official records are original documents issued by the school/examination board or certified copies. (Copies must be stamped and signed by the school administrator, EducationUSA advisor, or U.S. embassy official). All documents, including marks sheets, examination certificates, and diplomas must be in the original language and must be certified. A literal English translation certified by an appropriate official must be attached to documents not originally issued in English. Documents from the final four years of high school/secondary school (grades 9 – 12) are required; this may include the final year of middle school. Include any official university transcripts for course work taken while attending high school/secondary school. Faxed or e-mailed documents are not accepted.

Note: Ohio State takes forgery of transcripts very seriously. If we find a transcript has been falsified in any way, your application will be canceled and you will forfeit all fees

4. Proof of English language proficiency

A strong knowledge of English is essential for successful study at Ohio State, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly. 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) Must be sent electronically from the testing agency.
• 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 (contact the American Language Program)
• an official SAT Critical Reading and 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)

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

Applicants who are citizens of or who have received a bachelor’s degree from one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

Ohio State has an intensive English program for students who wish to improve their language skills called the American Language Program. A separate application is required for this program.

5. Student visa eligibility

If you will be attending Ohio State as an international student, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (form I-20 for the F-1 Student Visa, or form DS-2019 for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa). You will need to present a valid I-20 or DS-2019 to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.

After you are admitted, you will receive a notice to pay a $100 acceptance fee. Paying this fee will secure your enrollment space. Once we receive your payment, we will issue the appropriate visa documents. Once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, you also will be required to pay a SEVIS fee as part of the visa application process. You will need to have the receipt from this fee payment when you visit the embassy to obtain your visa. See the Office of International Affairs Visa Information web page for details.

You will also have to present a passport and evidence of financial support.

If you are already in the United States and are uncertain of how to proceed, please contact Undergraduate Admissions. If you do not need an I-20 or DS-2019, state your status on the application. Responsibility for obtaining and maintaining an approved visa classification remains entirely with the applicant.

6. Financial requirements

International students and their families or sponsors are responsible for all tuition and living expenses at Ohio State. The university does not award any form of financial aid to international students, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations limit the employment of non-immigrant international students and their families.

In order to show that you can meet the financial responsibilities, you must confirm and document sufficient funds through personal/family savings; scholarship/government/employer; and/or loans. To do this, complete and sign an Affidavit of Financial Support form (download the affidavit form on this page) for each sponsor. See the Affidavit form for further instructions.

Please note:

• Bank statements carry no liability on the part of the bank.
• All documentation must be dated within one year of the date of initial enrollment at Ohio State and must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
  
• This information is required for visa eligibility determination only. Ohio State cannot issue notice of admission, I-20, or DS-2019 without these documents.
  
• Ohio State reserves the right to require additional financial documentation from applicants whose countries impose currency exchange restrictions or other obstacles to the transfer of currency. Applicants from these countries will be notified of specific requirements when they have submitted completed applications.

7. Ohio State health insurance

All international students who attend Ohio State and any dependents who accompany them are required to purchase Ohio State student health insurance. Government-sponsored students with health insurance are exempt from this requirement but must receive a waiver from the Wilce Student Health Center.

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After you’ve applied

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Updating your application

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 submitting another application or 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(s) (download the affidavit form on this page) and bank statement(s). If you complete additional course work you must also submit an updated transcript.