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Application
Deadline for School of Forest Resources
Fall Semester—January 31
Spring Semester—August 1
Step 1. Complete an application form available
at the Graduate
School Admissions and Program Information Portal. Fee information
and additional details are available at the Graduate
School's How to Apply page.
Step 2. After completing the Graduate School
application, remit the following items to:
The School of Forest Resources
ATTN: Graduate Studies Office
319 Forest Resources Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
- Two sets of official transcripts
(in sealed, signed envelopes) from all institutions of
higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate, if
applicable. International applicants must submit official or attested
university records; if the records are not in English, certified
English translations are required. Notarized copies are NOT acceptable.
You should have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 for your
junior and senior years of undergraduate study.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
scores: An original report of scores is required from the
testing institute. See codes below.
- TOEFL scores: The language
of instruction at Penn State is English. For international applicants,
official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores
are required. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550
for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or
a total score of 80 with a 20 on the speaking section for the
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) test. This exam must be taken within
3 years of the application date and official scores must be received
from the testing institute (not a copy of the student's report
of scores). Note, however, that international applicants are exempt
from the TOEFL requirement if they have received a baccalaureate
or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any
of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British
West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic
of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland,
the United States, and Wales. Official scores must be sent directly
to the department or to the Graduate School from the testing institute.
See codes below.
- Application for Visa Document
(International Students Only)
- Statement of Purpose for
your proposed graduate study. Please submit a 1- to 2-page written
statement (3 pages maximum) describing your purpose in pursuing
graduate study. You may want to include the following types of
information in your statement:
- reasons for pursuing a School of Forest Resources graduate
degree
- specific area of interest that you plan to pursue
- long-term plans for professional career
- experiences from previous graduate or professional work
that have influenced your decision to pursue graduate study
- previous research and/or teaching and outreach
- other information that will help us to better understand
your purpose for applying to our graduate program
- your interest in obtaining a graduate assistantship
- names of SFR graduate faculty you are communicating with
who may be willing to serve as a potential adviser(s).
- Three letters of recommendation
(in sealed, signed envelopes) from professional colleagues and/or
teachers who are knowledgeable about your character and qualifications
as they relate to your potential to succeed in an advanced graduate
degree program. Although there is no standard format for these
letters of recommendation, they may be addressed to the attention
of the Graduate Review Committee.
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