How to Apply
Department of Plant Pathology Graduate Program

Electronic Application

Important: The following documents must be completed in addition to the official graduate school application. Please download these additional documents which are in type and print PDF (portable document format). If you do not currently have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click on the icon which will take you to the Adobe site to obtain free software

• Transcript Request Form
• Application for Visa Document (International Applicants Only)

Once you have completed the graduate school application process, follow the instructions below:

1. Mail the following to:

Graduate Enrollment Services
The Pennsylvania State University
114 Kern Building
University Park, PA 16802

• $45 non-refundable application fee. Please attach generated Fee Form if you did not pay by credit card. (Applications without fees cannot be processed).

- Make payable to: The Pennsylvania State University.
- International money order or a check must be drawn on a U.S. bank.
- Canceled check serves as your receipt.
- DO NOT SEND CASH.
- Please attach generated Fee Form if you filed your application electronically and you did not pay by credit card.

2. Mail the following to:

Dr. Gretchen A. Kuldau
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
The Pennsylvania State University
Department of Plant Pathology
321 Buckhout Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802-4508

• Two official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate.

-International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English.
-Notarized copies are not sufficient.
-Click on Transcript Request Form (above) for a transcript request form.

• GRE scores (original report form).
• Have three individuals complete, sign and mail the Reference Report on Applicant form. Please download the form and instructions (Both in Portable Document Format (PDF)).
• Statement of objectives.
• International applicants see further requirements below.

International Applicants Also Include:

• Request Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores be forwarded to Penn State or enclose with your application for admission. As an international applicant, if your first language is not English or you have not received a baccalaureate or masters degree from an institution in which the language of instruction is English, you must take the TOEFL. Penn State requires the following minimum TOEFL scores for admission:
  • Paper: 550
  • Computer: 213
  • Internet: 80 (Note: The Internet score includes four categories. A minimum score of 23 is required in the Speaking category).
• Application for Visa Document