PS The statement of purpose is an essay of approximately five pages (double-spaced). It may substitute for the autobiographical statement required by the Graduate School and it should discuss in some detail the kinds of issues the student expects to explore in this graduate program, including the significance of those issues. Applicants should be as specific as possible in explaining how their intellectual project would benefit from the comparative, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary perspectives offered by the Department and from the resources (faculty, courses, programs, collections) of The Ohio State University. Information about academic background, special experiences, and career goals may also be included. If admitted, students will design, with the help of faculty advisers, a program of coursework, including courses in other departments, to fit their research needs. GPA A minimum of 3.0 cumulative point-hour ratio (on the 4.0 scale used at this University) in all previous undergraduate work. Students with an undergraduate cumulative ratio below 3.0 who wish to be considered for admission must petition the Comparative Studies Graduate Studies Committee for special consideration. Fee A nonrefundable $60 fee for U.S. students and $70 for international students is charged for each admission application you submit to Ohio State for graduate study. You may pay the application fee using a credit or debit card (Visa, Master Card or Discover). RL The three recommendation forms and letters should address the applicant's academic abilities and preparation for graduate work in the student's chosen area. Students should request that recommendations be submitted online. Transcript Transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate work (unofficial transcripts may be submitted imitially, but official transcripts must be submitted before admission can be finalized).