The Process for Applying

To apply to the Water Resources Graduate Program, you should first complete an application form that can be obtained online from the Graduate School.

In addition to submitting the application form and paying the application fee to the Graduate School, to complete your application we need to receive the following*:

  • A copy of your GRE scores - WRGP requires the submission of scores from the General GRE test. These can be sent directly to the OSU institution code of 4586 (no department code is necessary).
  • Three letters of recommendation - These are submitted using the online application system. The application system will request the email addresses of 3 people to serve as references. OSU will then send each person a request for a recommendation. Their responses will then be returned directly to OSU and added to your application.
  • Academic transcripts from each institution you attended - These can be submitted as unofficial copies using the uploading portion of the online application, unofficial copies emailed to the department, or official copies sent from the institution to the department or the Graduate School. Unofficial copies are acceptable for evaluation purposes, but official copies will be requested by the Graduate School if you are offered admission.
  • A letter stating your objectives with regards to your career goals and specific research area(s) in which you wish to study, with the names of at least two faculty members whose research areas match your interests. This will help us identify faculty members whose research interests most closely align with yours, and help us place your application in front of faculty members most likely to consider accepting you as an advisee. (Note: This requirement is met with the essay you will complete with your official application to the Graduate School; no additional copy to the department is necessary)
  • Full Resume

*These additional items may be sent directly to our department, or to the Graduate School office.

We recommend that students applying for admission complete their application by January 5 of the academic year they wish to be admitted, in order to receive full consideration for all financial aid opportunities. For example, for admission in Fall Term of the 2018-19 academic year, we recommend that students complete their applications by January 5, 2018. This allows us time to review applications and nominate students for tuition awards, fellowships, and any teaching or research assistantships that may be available. Applications will be accepted after this date, but may miss out on some early funding opportunities, and chances of acceptance are greatly decreased.

Most of our students are financially supported by the faculty of the program through externally-funded grants and contracts. The match between your background and interests and these opportunities is central to obtaining such support. We encourage you to contact faculty to explore areas of common interest and opportunity. Please note that even students who are granted support are responsible for paying student fees each term.

See our Applicant FAQs page for more information.

For full information, see Information for Graduate Students of Oregon State University.

For International Students, see Information for International Graduate Students.