What to Know Before Applying

A collection of resources to assist as you apply to the Biomedical Engineering graduate program.

The Ohio State University Graduate School absolutely requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate work to be admitted; however, the minimum GPA required for some University Fellowship Competitions is as high as 3.6. The Department posts no required minima and honors considerations of experience, diversity, research and academic background, and recommendations.

Note: The GRE requirement has been eliminated. The GRE score is no longer required for applicants to the BME graduate program. 

Most applicants to the BME graduate program have majored in a traditional branch of engineering (e.g., ChE, ME, MSE, ECE, etc.) or in BME. Those with life science undergraduate degrees or with non-engineering backgrounds are required to complete additional coursework to develop competence in engineering before applying. Please see our required background course list for details.

Preparation in biology or physiology can be helpful to those with engineering backgrounds.

We make research and funding matches for applicants before we can admit to the PhD program; therefore, PhD applicants are encouraged to contact faculty directly in order to establish a connection that might lead to a funded position in order to maximize chances of admission.  

The MS (including BS/MS) is a self-funded degree. 

For complete application instructions, please read section 16 of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines for Autumn (mid-August) Semester

For PhD* admission & the majority of funding opportunities
Nov 30 - Deadline for International applicants
Dec 15 - Deadline for Domestic applicants

For admission to MS (self-funded)
May 1 - Last-minute Deadline for International and Domestic applicants (self-funded)  

Deadlines for Spring (January) Semester

For MS or PhD* admission
Oct 1 - Deadline for Domestic and International applicants 
*Please note that PhD admission in either Autumn or Spring semester depends on finding a research and funding match.