Application Instructions

Application deadlines

2025-2026 academic year dates

Autumn Semester: August 26-December 21, 2025
Spring Semester: January 12-May 10, 2026

Applications are accepted only from students nominated by their home university. A complete application consists of the online application form (link will be sent to students' home universities well in advance of the deadline), accompanied by the supporting documents shown below. The Office of International Affairs must receive all required application materials by the application deadline noted above.

Upload the following documents to your online application

Photocopies of passport 

Copies of the page(s) in the applicant's passport that contain biographical information and passport expiration. Please also include copies for any dependents (spouse and/or children) accompanying the student to The Ohio State University, if applicable.

University transcripts

When applying for admission, students must provide official academic records (transcripts) of all previous academic coursework. All documents must be certified by a school administrator or an American Embassy or Consular Official. A literal English translation certified by an appropriate school official, official translator, or U.S. embassy or consulate official must be attached to documents not originally issued in English.

For all university coursework up to the time of application, students must have achieved a minimum GPA of at least the equivalent of a 3.0 (B average) in the U.S. grading system.

To be eligible to apply for exchange study:

• Students must be formally selected for nomination by their home university and be in good academic standing.
• Graduate students must have the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree.

Proof of English language proficiency 

Demonstrated English language proficiency is required and can be demonstrated by submitting one of the following:

• TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based test Home Edition): 79 or higher for undergraduates; 80 or higher for law applicants
• IELTS or IELTS Indicator: 6.5 or higher for undergraduates; 7.0 or higher for graduate and law applicants
• Duolingo: 120 or higher

Ohio State does not accept TOEFL or IELTS scores sent only via paper score reports. In addition to sending a paper score report, please arrange early in the application process to have the TOEFL score report sent electronically to Ohio State by the testing agency. Ohio State's institution code is #1592.

Please note: these admissions standards are subject to future change. Every effort will be made to update this website as needed.

All tests must have been taken within the last two years. Some graduate programs may require a higher level of English language proficiency for courses offered in their department.

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
• British Caribbean and British West Indies
• Canada (except Quebec)
• England
• Ghana
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Liberia
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Singapore
• Scotland
• United States
• Wales

Students attending schools where the language of instruction is English may be able to waive proficiency test scores. Students should submit a letter on letterhead from their home university stating the student's full legal name, current degree program information and confirmation of what percentage of the student's coursework for their current degree program has been taught in English. Please note that this waiver is only possible for exchange applicants. Degree-seeking applicants should refer to the Proof of English Proficiency requirements on the Graduate/Professional and Undergraduate admissions websites.

Sufficient financial documentation

Exchange students pay tuition and fees to their host institution and do not have to pay tuition to Ohio State. However, they are responsible for paying their living expenses, Ohio State health insurance and various student fees. 

At the time of application, students need to provide proof that they have sufficient funds to cover the estimated expenses of their entire period of study. To participate as an exchange student, the current estimated cost of exchange study is:

• for undergraduates: $11,900 per semester and $23,800 for the academic year
• for graduate students except those studying law: $12,652 per semester and $25,305 for the academic year
• for law students: $13,677 for one semester

Please note: This estimated cost of the exchange study is subject to future changes. Every effort will be made to update this website as needed.

Additional proof of funding will be required for those students planning on bringing dependents with them to Ohio State; please contact the Incoming Exchange Coordinator for more details.

Financial support documentation may include, but is not limited to, a scholarship award letter and/or an official bank statement(s) translated into English and calculated in a U.S. dollar amount. Bank statements should be printed on the bank's official letterhead and include a stamp and/or signature from a bank official verifying their authenticity. If the bank statement included in an application is from a family member or friend of the student, a completed Affidavit of Financial Support form must also be included.

Download the Affidavit of Financial Support Form

Letter of recommendation from a university professor or the outgoing exchange coordinator

This letter should specify the relationship between the recommender and the student and why the student is recommended for participation as an exchange student at Ohio State. The letter may be submitted either as part of the online application or sent directly from the recommender to Caroline Omolesky at omolesky.2@osu.edu.

Law applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation written by university faculty members.

Personal statement from the student

The student must prepare a one-page statement telling us about themself, including academic and personal interests as well as motivation for studying abroad.

Law applicants only

Resume containing all of the following:

• All post-secondary educational information
• All relevant past and present work experience
• Volunteer, service and/or extracurricular activities with which you have been involved in the past three years
• A list of any honors and/or awards you received

Design students only

Submit your portfolio, including process work (research, sketches, etc.) and finished project work. All items should be neatly organized. PDF portfolios may be provided via email but must be reduced to a memory size appropriate for screen display (10MB maximum file size). Any notes and captions must be in English or be accompanied by an English translation.