Each year OSU’s Department of Wood Science & Engineering (WSE) receives many applications from potential graduate students. The background and expertise of applicants varies widely. In addition, some applicants prepare better applications than others. Based on this apparent disparity we have created this short document to help applicants develop a more competitive application.

It is important to note that many of our graduate students do not begin with a wood science background. However, because we are a wood science department, our students are exposed to extensive coursework in wood science and wood technology.

Following are the keystones that affect your acceptance as a graduate student in the department of Wood Science and Engineering:

1. Academic standing and/or work experience
2. GRE scores (plus TOEFL for foreign applicants)
3. Statement of Purpose
4. Letters of Recommendation
5. Close fit with potential advisor's interest areas

There is no standardized weight for any of these criteria and one strong area can well offset any other depending on the overall assessment of the individual candidate by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

The following are important guidelines as you develop your application for graduate studies. The first section is for all students. This is followed by additional information for foreign students.

• Begin your search for graduate school opportunities early – as much as one year before you would like to begin your studies!
  
  
• Establish a relationship with WSE faculty members in your area of specialty as early in your search process as possible, even if only via email. Unsolicited applications are much less likely to be successful than those where the applicant has gotten to know one or more faculty members.
  
  
• Carefully prepare for the GRE exam. There is no minimum GRE score necessary for admission, but higher scores are better. The GRE is simply a predictor of your potential success in graduate school. As such, it is only one piece information we use to evaluate applicants. The GRE score, however, is used in selecting applicants for potential fellowship awards by the College.
  
  
• In your statement of purpose, be strategic (focused and outline your short and long term career goals) and give considerable thought to how a degree in Wood Science from OSU will help you achieve your career goals. The quality and thoughtfulness of your statement is very influential in the application evaluation process. If you are a prospective dual-major student, speak to how the combination of degrees will position you for greater success.
  
  
• Make sure when you ask someone to write a reference for you that you select someone that will invest the time necessary to write a strong letter. General letters of reference can ultimately weaken rather than strengthen your application. If you have a Master’s degree your major advisor should be one of your references.
  
  
• It is strongly suggested that getting to know a bit about the prospective faculty advisor is useful for the application process. However, equally important is to understand the personality and management style of the faculty member you might work with. You will spend several years working with this individual and it is critical that it be someone with whom you can work productively. One way to gain insight into the management style of a faculty member is to talk to his/her current or past graduate students. Current students can also help you develop a better application. See the following for a list of students and their advisors: http://wwwdata.forestry.oregonstate.edu/personnel/wse/
  
  
• OSU is located in Corvallis, a community of 53,000 people situated in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Ocean beaches, lakes, rivers, forests, high desert, and the rugged Cascade and Coast Ranges are all within a 100-mile drive of Corvallis. It has a mild maritime climate with very pleasant summers—probably one of the nicest places you will ever live.
  
  
• Many students studying in the WSE Department are on some form of assistantship. Assistantships are highly competitive and very important for you since they can eliminate the requirement of paying tuition (as much as $15,000 per year). There are also some fellowships that are available through the College of Forestry and elsewhere.

Additional information for foreign students:

• Carefully prepare for the TOEFL exam. WSE has a minimum requirement for the TOEFL exam (238) that is slightly higher than the OSU minimum. However, the competition for acceptance is such that WSE faculty rarely accept foreign students with less than a score of 250 (computer-based) or 600 (paper-based). Note that OSU requires TOEFL scores to be less than two years old.
  
  
• U.S. immigration does create challenges for incoming foreign students. However, thus far all of our accepted students have successfully obtained a student visa!
  
  
• Cost of living in Corvallis can be vastly different from what you are accustomed. It is important, especially if you have a family, that you carefully consider whether the funding you have available is sufficient for your needs.
  

After you are accepted:

If you are successful in your application and are accepted to OSU, there are many things you should know. The following sites can help...

Student Quicklinks: http://oregonstate.edu/students/

OSU Graduate School: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/grad_school/

General Catalog and Schedule of Classes: http://catalog.oregonstate.edu/Default.aspx

Graduate Assistant Insurance Plan: http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/insurance/grad/

Housing and Dining: http://oregonstate.edu/uhds/

Interactive Campus Map: http://oregonstate.edu/cw_tools/campusmap/

Parking Services: http://towow.oregonstate.edu/parking/

ID Cards: http://www.osumu.org/idcenter.htm

OSU Libraries: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/index2.html