Admission to ISE Pre-Major

The following information describes various requirements for students to switch into the ISE pre-major.

For new first-year students:

Ohio State’s office of admission is the primary resource for the application process and handles direct enrollment for undergraduate students in the College of Engineering, however some criteria include:

  • Prior to entering the Pre-Industrial and Systems Pre-Major, students must first apply to the College of Engineering at OSU.
  • Students must have proficient ACT/SAT scores (emphasis on math).
  • Strong college prep curriculum (emphasis on math, science and rigorous courses).
  • Class rank and GPA.

For transfer students from another institution of higher education:

  • If you have fewer than 30 semester credit hours, you will be considered under the criteria for new students in the College of Engineering.
  • If you have more than 30 semester credit hours and a GPA at your previous institution of 3.0 or higher and you have completed college level calculus you will be directly enrolled as an Industrial and Systems Pre-Majors, should you choose our program. Other engineering programs can be found on the College of Engineering website.
  • If you have more than 30 semester credit hours, but do not meet the 3.0 GPA, you will be enrolled in Science and Technology Exploration.

For international transfer students:

Admitted international transfer students must meet direct enrollment criteria, which include:

  • ACT/SAT scores (emphasis on math).
  • Strong college prep curriculum (emphasis on math, science and rigorous courses).
  • Class rank and GPA.

 The most current university admission information and criteria for international students are available on the International Admissions website.

For students switching from another engineering pre-major within the College of Engineering into Pre-ISE:

Students already enrolled in the College of Engineering wishing to switch into Pre-ISE must be in good academic standing with the college. Once students have met these requirements they should schedule an appointment with the Pre-ISE Academic Advisor online.

Please keep in mind admission into the Industrial & Systems Engineering program is competitive and is based on a student’s academic performance in foundational courses. To review the admission criteria standards for current students, in accordance with the College of Engineering Enrollment Management Plan approved by the University Council on Academic Affairs, please view the information on the College of Engineering's Application to Major Website.

For students transferring from an Ohio State regional campus:

Students enrolled in the College of Engineering who start on the regional campus must meet the campus change requirements before starting on the Columbus campus.  Current Ohio State students on the Columbus campus must meet these requirements for admission into the College of Engineering, Pre-ISE program.

For students transferring from a major outside the College of Engineering at OSU, Columbus campus:

Students enrolled in another college outside of the College of Engineering who wish to become part of Pre-ISE must complete the following requirements:

  • 2.5 Ohio State GPA.
  • C- or higher in Math 1151 (Calculus I).
  • Credit for one of the following courses: Chemistry 1210, Chemistry 1250, Physics 1250, Biology 2100.
  • 1 unit of post-high school undergraduate enrollment at Ohio State.
  • Students who meet the above admission criteria and wish to enroll in the ISE program should contact Anne Frissora (frissora.33@osu.edu)