Senior Year Information

Be Prepared for Graduation and the Start of Your Career

During your senior year, you are setting up the transition to the start of your professional life. Your academic record should reflect the skill and performance level you have achieved.  A reasonable course load will allow you time to sit for professional exams, work, attend career fairs, go to interviews, plant visits, create distinction projects, seek references, apply to graduate school, and fully contribute in your design capstone courses as you continue to build your GPA. 

• Undergraduate Applications to Graduate - The application for a baccalaureate degree is due one year before the intended semester of graduation. Scheduling priority for graduating seniors is only given to students with an approved graduation application on file with the ECE Advising Office. With live registration, it is important that the applications be turned in early even if changes must be made later. For more information see the graduation information for students in the College of Engineering.

To submit your application to the ECE Department

1. Set an appointment with Susan Noble online at eceadvisors.lattiss.com. Susanwill audit your record, post your application status on SIS, and forward your application to the College of Engineering office.
2. Print a graduation packet or pick one up outside Room 227 Dreese Labs. 
3. Print a copy of your Degree Audit Report (DARS) through Buckeye Link, carefully check it for accuracy, and bring it with you to your appointment. 
4. If you cannot meet with Susan, call her to make a phone appointment. You can scan your forms and send them to Susan Noble at noble.34@osu.edu.
5. If you need to change courses or your graduation date, set up an appointment with Susan Noble to assure that your new plan will meet all programmatic requirements for the degree.

Additional recommended steps

• Engineering Career Services - If you are not registered with Engineering Career Services, do so now. Registering enables you to take advantage of helpful resources such as on-campus interviews and online job postings specifically for OSU students. Their services also include resume referral, job search and interviewing information, and professional consultations (resume reviews, help with job search letters, help with your job search strategy, interview coaching, and just about any other career-related concern). View their events calendar for news of upcoming career fairs, workshops and special events.
   
• You may choose to take The FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering), the first step toward your licensure as a professional engineer. It is offered in October and April. Because the exam covers topics you are studying as an undergraduate in engineering, the best time to prepare for and sit for the FE Exam is during your senior year. While this exam is usually taken by civil and mechanical engineers, electrical engineering students in some areas such as power may find that taking this exam can help obtain important credentials and enhance one's salary. Preparation help and review sessions are available.
   
• Final Transcripts - Order two official transcripts your last semester and request that the Registrar’s Office send them to you in separate envelopes after your final grades and degree are posted. You will have one for yourself and one for your employer. Note that your major GPA does not appear on your transcript, but it does appear on your degree audit. We recommend you print a copy of your final degree audit as access to Buckeye Link expires six months after graduation.
   
• International Students - The Office of International Affairs (100 Oxley Hall) can help students determine if they are eligible to work in the United States after graduation.
   
• Graduate School - If you plan to continue your studies in the ECE department, think about faculty members who could be your advisor in the graduate program. Setting up an appointment with faculty during your last year could help answer your questions regarding admissibility and may help you develop an admission strategy. During these visits, ask about fellowships, the BS/MS program, undergraduate distinction projects and funding. Students interested in other programs at Ohio State can find program information and more online from the graduate admissions website.