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Graduate Required Documents.

Step 1. Application to Oregon State University
Step 2. Requirements of your program of Study
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

For convenience and to avoid possible mailing delays, apply online.

You may also download a paper application form if you are unable to use the online form.

The Graduate School processes and evaluates graduate applications according to admission standards set by the Graduate Council.

Step 1. Application to Oregon State University

You must submit the following application materials at one time to the Graduate School. To assure prompt processing of your application, please follow these instructions carefully.

Collect and mail all of the following materials in one packet to:

Graduate School
Oregon State University
300 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2106

1. Original and one copy of the application form. (MAIS applicants must submit an original and four copies of the application form. If applying online the electronic application process will create the necessary duplicate copies.)

2. $55 check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to Oregon State University for the non-refundable application fee. Applying online requires payment by credit card

3. Two photocopies of all official transcripts (grade slips and web printable transcripts or reports will not be accepted for use in evaluation) of previous academic work, undergraduate and graduate. (MAIS applicants must submit five photocopies of all transcripts.) Transcripts showing the last 90 quarter (60 semester) credit hours of graded work of the first baccalaureate degree must be included. All graduate and post baccalaureate transcripts must be included. International applicants must provide a certified English translation of their academic transcripts. If admitted, two official, unopened transcripts from the above institutions must be received by the Graduate School prior to your second term of registration.

   Note: Current and former Oregon State University students are not required to provide OSU transcripts.

4. International applicants, must also send the following documents with the application materials:
   

1. One photocopy of official TOEFL scores (MAIS applicants must submit four photocopies of their TOEFL score.) If admitted, official TOEFL scores must be received by the Graduate School prior to the start of your first term of enrollment.
2. Financial certificate with supporting documentation, demonstrating sufficient financial resources for the desired academic program. (International applicants, please read Finances and Funding for International Students at OSU.)
   
   

Step 2. Requirements of your program of study

Application requirements vary by program. The processing of your application will not be completed until your program receives all the required documents.

For specific instructions review requirements for Graduate Majors.

Graduate admissions generally requires the following:

1. Two copies of your statement of objectives and particular fields of interest. (MAIS applicants must submit four copies of the statement of objectives.)
   
2. Three letters of professional reference are required of all students, sealed in envelopes, addressed to the proposed major department/program. If you have a master's degree, you should include a letter from your major professor. Reference letters should be written on official letterhead. (MAIS applicants must submit four copies of each of their three letters of professional reference.)
   
3. Certain departments and programs require the GRE of all applicants. Address inquiries regarding GRE requirements to your proposed academic program. The College of Business requires the GMAT.

Contact your proposed program if you have any questions regarding the letters of professional reference, or other program requirements.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am a current/former OSU student. Do I need to send OSU transcripts?
   No, we are able to access your OSU grades.
   

2. Do I send three or four letters of recommendation?
   The minimum number of letters of professional reference is three. Please send three unless your proposed program requests a different number.
   

3. Who qualifies as a professional reference?
   Letters of recommendation should come from faculty because they are in the best position to assess your ability to do academic work. Other professional references may be compelling if the work experience is directly related to the graduate field of interest and/or has provided a specialized skill set necessary to be competent in the field. Letters from non-faculty contacts may be relevant if there has been a significant lapse in time since you completed your prior degree.
   

4. Is there a letter form to complete?
   Programs have various requirements and some do have a recommendation form. If not, the letter of professional reference should be on the letterhead of the reference's institution or the writer's place of employment.
   

5. Do they (the writer) mail it in or can I send it with my application material?
   You can have the professional reference sent directly to the program or include it with other programmatic admissions requirements.
   

6. Does OSU contact writers to ask for letters? Or should I?
   You must obtain the letters of professional reference. OSU will not ask for them (with the exception of some engineering programs).
   

7. Do I send them to each department I am applying for?
   If you are applying for more than one program/major you will need to send letters of reference to each department.
   

8. Where do I send the letters?
   To your program. To find the address, visit the Graduate majors page and select your proposed major program.
   

9. I put 3 references in the on-line application but I wish to add a 4th how would I do that?
   You can send additional letters of professional reference to your proposed major program.
   

10. I applied on-line. Can I send my reference letters electronically?
    No. Currently letters must be sent by post, unless you are applying to a graduate program that specifies you must use their online reference system. Please refer to the specific directions given.
    

11. Is a letter of professional reference the same as a letter of recommendation?
    The terminology refers to the same thing in most cases, but please refer to the specific instructions given by your proposed major/program web site.