Students are expected to have a bachelor's degree in some branch of the natural or physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics by the start of their graduate program. A student also is expected to have completed standard introductory courses in geosciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics through integral calculus, plus an equivalent of 15 credits of intermediate-level work in one or a combination of these subjects. Students who are admitted but have less than the minimum preparation in these subjects may be asked to address their deficiencies prior to entry to the program. They may take courses concurrently with their graduate studies, but this is not encouraged. Students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests whose undergraduate grade-point average in courses pertinent to geosciences is below a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) will be considered for admission only when there are strong indications that a 3.00 average can be maintained at the graduate level.
The Department of Geosciences graduate application is available through the Penn State Graduate School. The application includes:
an online form to provide personal, contact, and other applicant information, including a list of prospective graduate advisers
a course summary to provide information on academic preparation (this is a department-specific requirement that must be uploaded to the Graduate School application portal)
official transcripts for all undergraduate college and universities
response to five prompts (see below)
contact information for three reference letters

The GRE is not required.
The Penn State application does not require a single personal statement or statement of purpose but rather five short responses to prompts (250 words maximum per response) in which applicants can describe their,
problem-solving abilities,
resilience and adaptability,
motivation and future goals,
respect for diversity and inclusion, and
describe additional relevant experiences and self-awareness.

Our application utilizes these prompts to provide a holistic picture of applicants and to highlight aspects of applicants experiences and background that are not always included within the traditional single statement.


International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. 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 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisaaional admission, enrollment, and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Revised TOEFL PBT July 2017 and later 60