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FAQs

When is the application deadline?

  • November 29th for International Students and December 1st for Domestic Students.

My letters of recommendation might arrive after the deadline. Is this okay?

  • Supporting documents may be received up to two weeks after the deadline has passed. 

One of the people who is writing my letter of recommendation does not want to submit it online. Will you accept it any other way?

  • Yes, have them send it to: Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Political Science, 2140 Derby Hall, 154 N Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210.

Do I need to submit a transcript for credit hours I took in high school?

  • Yes, if you received University credit for the class.

I only took 4 credit hours at a certain university. Do you still need my transcript?

  • Yes, any place that you have received credit from, we will need an official transcript.

Do you accept transfer credit? 

  • We typically do not allow students to use transfer credit to count towards their two fields of study, but transfer credit may be able to be used towards the total number of credit hours required to graduate by the Graduate School. 
  • All students must complete two years of coursework and take the candidacy exams at the beginning of their third year. 

Do I need to declare a field of study when submitting my application?

  • Preferably, because part of our evaluation has to do with how well your interests fit the faculty in your chosen area. You can also change your mind once you've arrived. If you're really uncertain, though, it's not required.

Do you require a writing sample?

  • Yes, submission of a writing sample is required.

Do you require GRE scores?

  • Yes, GRE scores are required.

Additional questions?

  • If you have questions about the application process, please contact The Office of Graduate Admissions at: (614) 292-9444 or gradadmissions@osu.edu 
  • For academic questions, we encourage you to contact individual faculty at the addresses listed on the Faculty page.
  • Other questions can be directed to Ivy Donelson, Program Coordinator for the Department of Political Science, at: donelson.38@osu.edu