The Ohio State University Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Program Admissions

Program Admissions

research vessel in icy waters. image courtesy of Drew Spacht

The Evolution, Ecology, & Organismal Biology Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) welcomes applications for admission to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Evolution, Ecology, & Organismal Biology. 

Applications for admission are due November 15 for programs beginning Autumn semester of the following academic year.   

If you have any questions, please contact Graduate Program Coordinator Corey Ash (ash.33@osu.edu) or speak to Graduate and Professional Admissions. 

Admission Requirements

Haley Gmutza holds bat in the dark

EEOB Graduate Programs follow the OSU Graduate School requirements. Information can be found on the Graduate and Professional Admissions website. 

By the time of admission, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. A Master’s degree is not required to apply to the Ph.D. program.  Course work in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics are  recommended. 

Applicants should list one or more intended academic faculty advisors on their application. We suggest you make contact with prospective faculty mentors in early Autumn. Students are not admitted to the EEOB graduate programs without a designated faculty advisor. See the frequently asked questions for more information. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from the general aptitude (verbal, quantitative, and written) tests are not required from our program applicants. TOEFL scores are required from all International Student Applicants.  Additional language assessment may be conducted by the university once admitted to The Ohio State University.  Scores should be addressed to The Ohio State University using the code 1592. 

Required Documents

  1. An online application form. Paper applications are no longer available. Please note this requires online payment of an application fee. 
  1. A complete set of official transcripts. 
    • Transcripts printed from a student account or stamped "Issued to Student" will not be accepted by the Office of Graduate Admissions; however, they can be submitted directly to the EEOB department while we wait for official documentation. For more detailed information on submission of official transcripts (including guidance for international transcripts & translation), visit Graduate & Professional Admissions’ guide. 
  1. Three (3) letters of recommendation. 
    • Your references will receive an email prompting them to fill out a short questionnaire and upload their letter after you have submitted your application (see Frequently Asked Questions). We recommend submitting applications as early as possible. 
  1. Statement of Purpose and Research Interests. 
    • See our expectations for the Statement of Purpose in our Tips page. 
  1. A Curriculum Vitae or Resume (generally 1-3 pages).