Requirements | Application |  GRE and TOEFL Scores | How Admissions Decisions Are Made

Requirements

Applicants should have a BS degree in horticulture or equivalent preparation in a closely related field from an accredited university. Applications should include a statement of purpose (research interests and career goals), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, TOEFL scores (foreign students only), three letters of reference, resume, and official transcripts. To apply, contact Dr. Shawn Mehlenbacher, Graduate Program Coordinator. Completed applications are reviewed by the Department of Horticulture's Graduate Admissions Committee, which makes a recommendation, and then are made available for review by all graduate faculty. Assistantship offers come from individual professors who manage their own projects and budgets. Graduate students may be admitted as regular, classified, provisional, or special (non-degree).

Application

To be eligible for graduate work in the department, an applicant must be admitted to the Oregon State University Graduate School. Persons desiring to apply for admission must submit Application for Admission forms and other materials to both the Office of Admissions and the Department of Horticulture. To apply, send the items listed below to the appropriate addresses.

Note: Applicants are invited to submit a resume or other pertinent information that may assist in evaluating their application.

Detailed information on admission, degree requirements, and other matters is available in the current Graduate Catalog. Request a copy from the Graduate School, Administrative Services A300, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2121 (phone: 541-737-4881).

GRE and TOEFL Scores

The Department of Horticulture requires that graduate applicants submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants are encouraged to also submit scores for the GRE Biology Test. GRE tests are given regularly at many colleges and universities. GRE test scores are especially helpful in evaluating foreign applicants. For the new Internet-based TOEFL, students must have a total score of 80 or higher, and meet or exceed the minimum score of 18 in all four categories (reading, listening, speaking and writing) to be eligible for full admission. A minimum score of 7.0 on the IELTS may be used as an alternative to the TOEFL test.

The university requires that foreign applicants, whose native language is not English, demonstrate proficiency in English [a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (written test) or 213 (computer-based test)].

The ETS Institution Code for Oregon State University is 4586. The Major Code for Horticulture is 1450.

How Admissions Decisions Are Made

1. After receiving all of the application materials (e.g. all transcripts, application forms, statement of purpose, and application fee), the Office of Admissions reviews an applicant's file and evaluates the transcripts. If the applicant meets the minimum scholastic standards (i.e. a GPA of at least 3.0 on the last 90 hours of graded undergraduate work plus all work completed thereafter) the file is forwarded to the Graduate School and then to the appropriate department.
2. Approved files sent to Horticulture are promptly forwarded by the Graduate Program Coordinator to the Department's Graduate Admissions Committee for a recommendation. Files are then made available to all graduate faculty with a note as to the applicant's research interests. If a member of our graduate faculty is willing to serve as the applicant's major professor, the professor will contact the applicant and communicate the offer. An applicant is not accepted unless a major professor is identified. The department does not have an application deadline; files are reviewed as they are received. Students may begin their graduate studies in the Fall, Winter or Spring.
3. Based on this review, the department transmits its recommendations to the Graduate School and to the applicant. Accepted applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members who have indicated a willingness to serve as their major professor. Others are informed of the reason their request for admission was rejected.
4. The Office of Admissions sends the applicant official notification of acceptance or rejection. To receive an official notification of acceptance, applicants from foreign countries must provide evidence that they have adequate funds for the proposed program of study (see Financial Certification form). If a major professor indicates that he/she intends to provide the applicant with a Graduate Assistantship, the value of the annual assistanship stipend and accompanying tuition waiver can be included in the applicant's evidence of adequate funds.