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.
Application forms required for admission to the Graduate School are available from the Graduate Admissions website. You may also download a paper application.
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
Original and two copies of the application form. (MAIS applicants must submit an original and five copies of the application form. If applying online the electronic application process will create the necessary duplicate copies.)
$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
Three 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 six 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 you are admitted, two official transcripts from the above institutions must be received by the Graduate School prior to your second term of registration.
International applicants, must also send the following documents
with the application materials:
Step 2. Requirements of your program of study
Application requirements vary by department. The processing of your application will not be completed until your department receives all the required documents.
For specific instructions review department requirements for Graduate Majors.
Graduate admissions generally requires the following:
Contact your department if you have any questions regarding the letters of professional reference, or any other departmental requirements.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Do I send three or four letters of recommendation?
The minimum number of letters of professional reference is three.
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
since the completion of previous studies, if there has been a significant lapse in time.
Is there a letter form to complete?
Departments have various requirements and some do have a recommendation
form. If your department doesn’t have a recommendation form
the letter of professional reference should be on the letter head
of the reference's institution or the writer's place of employment.
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 department
or include it with other departmental admissions requirements.
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 (except the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Department, which has their departmental application on line.)
Do I send them to each department I am applying for?
If you are applying for more than one department you will need to send
letters of reference to each department.
Where do I send the letters?
To your department. To find your department, visit the Graduate web
page and select your proposed major.
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 department.
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.
Is a letter of professional reference the same as a letter of recommendation?
Possibly, each department may request letters of professional reference
and/or letters of recommendation. Check with your department.
