The Ohio State University

Admission requirements
for international students

What is required before you are admitted
Please see detailed information about these requirements in the International Undergraduate Application (download the international packet). Also see Admission criteria for international freshmen or Admission criteria for international transfer students.

Admission 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 admission to the university. For a list of country-specific requirements, please visit: undergrad.osu.edu/countryCredit.html.

2. Official ACT or SAT scores with writing
(this mandatory requirement cannot be waived)
You must submit at least one ACT or SAT score set with a writing exam score (read “Important information about test scores” below).

Transfer students who have completed at least 45 quarter or 30 semester hours of college-level courses since graduating from high school are not required to submit test scores.

Please use institutional code 3312 for the ACT or 1592 for the SAT.

• When considering students for admission, the international Undergraduate Scholarship, 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. High school documents from 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 grades 9–12. Faxed or e-mailed documents are not accepted.

4. Proof of English language proficiency
Ohio State requires proof that you are proficient in English. 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 527 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• an official score of at least 71 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 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 and you receive an I-20 or DS-2019, you 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. more >

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. more >

Ohio State offers the International Undergraduate Scholarship, worth $6,600 toward the nonresident tuition for qualified international freshmen admitted to the Columbus campus. Transfer students are not eligible for this award. more >

In order to show that you can meet the financial responsibilities, you must:

• Complete and sign an Affidavit of Financial Support form (download the affidavit form). The signature of the sponsor listed on the Affidavit of Financial Support form and the account holder shown on the official bank statement must be the same.
• Confirm and document sufficient funds through personal/family savings; scholarship/government/ employer; and/or loans (see the International Undergraduate Application for more information).

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. more >