Admissions

How to Apply

The Chemical Physics Program admits Autumn quarters.

To make a complete application to our program, you will need the additional materials discussed below. We must receive all materials before we can consider your application. Students must apply online only at www.gradapply.osu.edu and follow the directions given there. As of November 2009, the online application fee for the Chemical Physics Graduate Program is $5. This fee is non-waivable.

Transcripts

You should write to each institution you have attended requesting that two official transcripts of all courses completed at those institutions be sent (one) to OSU Admissions and (one) to our office. We cannot act on your application until we have all your transcripts. Course work from one institution reported as transfer credit on another school's transcript is not acceptable; we need the original transcript.

Testing Requirements

International applicants (those from a non-English speaking institution) must arrange to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general and chemistry or physics advanced subject tests. Registration forms for the GRE, deadline dates, and test dates can be obtained from your university. Have your scores sent directly to OSU Admissions. If you are a foreign student whose native language is not English, you also must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless you have received your undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution of higher education.

Recommended Scores

Applicants who will be most competitive in obtaining an admission offer from our program are those who have achieved the following scores:

Domestic Applicants (U.S. citizens, U.S permanent residents, International students who have only attended a college/university in the United States)

Verbal GRE = greater than or equal to 470
Quantitative GRE = greater than or equal to 600
Analytical Writing GRE = greater than or equal to 4.0

International Students (Non-U.S. citizens/Non-U.S. permanent residents who have only or previously attended a college/university outside of the United States)

Verbal GRE = greater than or equal to 420
Quantitative GRE = greater than or equal to 760
Analytical Writing GRE = greater than or equal to 4.0

InternetBased TOEFL = total score of 103 or greater with a speaking section score of 22 or greater
ComputerBased TOEFL = 250 or above or
PaperBased TOEFL = 600 or above

NOTE: In order to be admitted to OSU in any graduate program, the Graduate School requires international student applicants to achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (IBT), 213 (CBT) or 550 (PBT). The Graduate School requires all applicants to have a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above in order to be offered admission to OSU.

Recommendations

Applicants must arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent directly to the Chemical Physics Program. (If applying for Graduate Fellowship, all recommendations must be on academic or business letterhead.) Please send these and your autobiography to the Chemical Physics Program.

Autobiography or Statement of Intent

On a separate sheet of paper, please write a one-page autobiographical sketch (or statement of purpose). List scholarships and honors, and include information on any practical experience you may have from part-time jobs or hobbies as they relate to graduate study in chemical physics. You should also write something about your goals both during and beyond graduate school, as well as any other pertinent personal data. In the Graduate Fellowship competition, the committee is asked to evaluate a nominee's Statement of Purpose on the basis of clarity, non-academic experience, motivation for graduate study, and career goals. Please send your autobiography and letters of reference to the Chemical Physics Program.

Curriculum Vitae/Resume

OSU admissions requires a curriculum vitae/resume that is no more than two pages. This requirement is for those applying for a Fellowship. This requirement is in addition to the Statement of Intent. Please submit your curriculum vitae/resume directly to the Chemical Physics Program.

Fellowships and Graduate Associateships

Use the admission application form to request fellowship and associateship consideration. Please check the appropriate box or boxes on the admission application. The principal financial aid available to beginning chemical physics graduate students is the graduate teaching associateship in either chemistry or physics. Associates are relieved of tuition and general fees. Outstanding applicants will also be considered for university fellowships. The fellowship deadline for international applicants is November 30. (Please note that this deadline means fellowship applicants should take the GRE no later than the September test date to be sure the results arrive in time.) Also see the Financial Aid information on this site.

OSU Admissions should receive:
  • fully completed online application (requires payment of application fee)
  • one official transcript or record fof all undergraduate courses and any graduate courses taken
  • GRE scores
  • TOEFL scores (if required)

    The Chemical Physics office should receive:

  • a copy of your fully completed application form
  • a copy of your transcripts of all undergraduate courses and any graduate courses taken
  • statement of intent
  • curriculum vitae/resume (if applying for a fellowship)
  • a copy of your GRE scores
  • a copy of your TOEFL scores (if required)
  • three (3) letters of reference must be submitted on official academic or business letterhead

    The items for the Chemical Physics office can be put in one envelope inside the envelope for OSU Admissions. Just address it to Chemical Physics Program, 18 Celeste Lab.

    The Chemical Physics Program mailing address is:
    Professor Terry A. Miller
    Chemical Physics Program
    The Ohio State University
    120 West 18th Avenue
    Columbus, OH 43210
    email: chemphys@chemphys.chemistry.ohio-state.edu
    email: Dr. Terry A. Miller

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