Fisher Global Consulting: Start-Up

Qualified applications received by the Initial Placement Deadline (IPD) will be evaluated among a smaller pool of candidates and are more likely to receive priority placement. While this makes IPD applicants initially more competitive, it does not guarantee placement in a preferred location for all IPD applicants, as projects are limited, and individual skills are taken into account. Please note that stronger candidates who miss the IPD are still very much encouraged to apply up to the Final Application Deadline in December! Updates on project locations that have reached their capacity will be posted on the website.

• Initial Placement Deadline (IPD): Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm
• Final Application Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm
• Application Fee: Paid Online at Time of Application Submission
• Deposit Due: Two Weeks after Notification of Acceptance
• Final Payment Due: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11:59 pm
• OIA Fees: Posted to Statement of Account in Spring Semester

Do you have...?

• Minimum 1 full year as a university student - You must be at least a second-year student at the time of application; freshmen are not eligible to apply.
• GPA of 2.75 or greater - First-semester transfer students are welcome to apply, but you must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA at the end of the Autumn term in order to remain eligible for the program.
• English Language Proficiency - TOEFL Score of 90 or above preferred for international students.
• Good Standing with the Office of Student Conduct
• Enrolled OSU student status throughout the duration of the program - This program is not available to graduating seniors.
• Valid Passport - A passport is not required for application, but you must have a passport at the time of the visa application for departure, whichever comes first.
  • To apply or renew your passport, go to travel.state.gov.

All program participants must...

• Meet OIA's General Eligibility Requirements and Conditions for Participation
• Meet OGB Code of Conduct and Participation Policy

The following links are provided as reference when considering education abroad programs:

• OSU Health and Safety
• OSU International Accident and Sickness Insurance
• OSU Travel to Risk Designated Countries: Any student traveling to study, conduct research or field work, or participate in a service learning project or an international program in a risk-designated country must petition the International Travel Policy Committee (ITPC) for approval. More information is provided on the linked website. For further information on the policy and/or the petition process, please contact Kirsten Dabelko, Global Health and Safety Manager (dabelko.4@osu.edu).

External Resources

• U.S. State Department - Travel Information
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Conditions for Global Program Participation

You must meet all entry, exit, and visa requirements of your global education program destination, any countries while in transit, and the U.S. upon return, including but not limited to possessing a valid passport, obtaining the appropriate visa (if applicable), and providing proof of any required vaccinations (if applicable) and/or any testing requirements and other protocols (if applicable). Entry, exit, and visa requirements are established by each individual country and the Office of International Affairs, The Ohio State University and its visa provider, TraVisa, have no control over visa denials, immigration and visa regulations, and/or any changes in the Embassies/Consulates’ policies. Please refer to travel.state.gov and the respective Embassy or Consulate websites for the most up to date travel information.

If you're still not sure whether FGC is the program for you...

• Read more about specific consulting project locations on the OIA website by searching for "Fisher Global Consulting: Start-Up" (with double quotes) in the Program Name field.
• Submit a Student Interest Form to ensure your questions are answered, and our office can update you on important deadlines.
• Attend an Information Session to learn more about the program and hear from past participants.
• Read more about the OSU Cancellation Policy.

Applications will open on August 26, 2025.

• The Application Fee of $150 is refundable if an applicant is denied from the program or withdraws prior to the Final Application Deadline, or if the program is cancelled.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered!
• There are four parts of the application including a questionnaire, resume, advising report, and video submission.
  • Upload the video to buckeyemailosu-my.sharepoint.com, and paste the shareable link in the field below. Instructions on how to obtain a shareable link.  Confirm that “People with the Link” is selected when you enable the shareable link. If “People with the Link” is not selected, our office will be unable to view your video submission.

Program Fees

The program fee covers project sourcing, shared housing accommodations, program orientation both pre-departure and in-country, airport pick-up upon arrival to the destination, in-country activities and consulting support, and 24/7 onsite health and safety support. It does not cover costs associated with meals or transportation in-country. Airfare will NOT be included. Students accepted into the program will be responsible for their own airfare. 

• Deposit ($1000 non-refundable):
  • Due 2 weeks after acceptance email is received
• Program Fee ($3,395 - $1,000 deposit):
  • Due Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• OIA Fees (variable based on program length):
  • $50 Administrative Fee ("OIA Admin Fee")
  • $25 International Accident and Sickness Insurance ("OIA Study Abroad Program Fee")
  • Posted to your Statement of Account at the end of Spring term
• Budget Sheets (Coming Soon!)
  • Learn more about program and miscellaneous costs for the locations! 

Pre-Departure Course

• BUSADM 4189, Advanced Field Study: All students admitted into the FGC program will be required to take a one-credit class during the second half of the Spring Semester (7-week session). Students should prepare by having 1-credit hour available in their course schedule for the Spring Semester before program departure. Credit hour petitions are NOT allowed.
• Online via Zoom (details to come)
  • The class teaches students about the dynamics of doing business globally, the resources used for project management, and the understanding of location-specific cultures alongside health/safety concerns. Students cannot self-enroll, however, please leave room in your Spring Semester schedule to accommodate this 1-credit hour course.

International Students

CPT documentation is typically not required for international students (see FAQ section below) to complete a global consulting project. However, all international students should be aware that their entry/exit requirements for the country of their consulting project may differ than the entry/exit requirements for US passport holders. It is each individual student's responsibility to check with the consulate for guidelines on the type of visa required and the procedure for visa application.

College and University Scholarships:

• Fisher Global Grant and Fisher Passport Scholarship available through the Office of Global Business
• Global Education Scholarships available through the College of Engineering and Knowlton School of Architecture
• Career Accelerator Fund available through the College of Arts & Sciences
• Spring Competition for Global Education Scholarships available through the Office of International Affairs
• Second-year Transformational Experience Program funds can be written into a STEP Signature Project proposal for FGI! STEP is available to second years currently enrolled in STEP and third years who completed STEP but have yet to use their funds.
• Check the Office of International Affairs for more information on OSU, State, and National/Global Scholarships.

• Language Courses
• QUIC Certification (Fisher only)
• Resume Resources
  • Please review the Fisher Resume Guide that outlines the qualities of a great resume. This guide provides a comprehensive guide on formatting, verbiage, and strategies to highlight relevant experiences.
  • Resume Help (Fisher): It is recommended that all student resumes be evaluated by the Office of Career Management. You can bring a printed copy of your resume to be reviewed during. Fisher's Office of Career Management Peer Career Coaches Hours
  • Resume Help (Non-Fisher): For those students outside of Fisher, there are college specific resources like the Engineering Career Services for engineering students, Arts & Sciences Career Success for Arts & Sciences students, and Buckeye Careers, who provide career coaching and resume assistance to all Ohio State students.
• Involvement with Student Consulting Organizations
• Participation in Case Competitions
• Involvement with Fisher Emerging Consultants (Fisher only)

• Client Type: Corporations may be small- to medium-sized and established, while startups are small and emerging. Students in the Start-Up track have the opportunity to meet with locally based entrepreneurs and venture capital firms.
• Scope of Work: Corporate projects are typically strategic and systemic; startup projects are entrepreneurial and foundational.
• Work Style: Corporate consulting tends to be methodical, while startup consulting is flexible and often experimental. For instance, students in the Start-Up track could be assisting a venture capital-backed startup look into international plans, helping support in the next round of funding, building a go-to-market strategy, or conducting market research to support a venture capital firm in making decisions on future investments. 

Q: "What is the difference between the initial placement deadline and the final deadline?"

A: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the initial placement deadline (IPD). The IPD allows students to be considered for all locations they list as preferences in their application. Team slots will begin to fill in each project location after the IPD. Students who apply later will have fewer project options. Applications will no longer be considered after the final deadline.

Q: "How competitive is the application process for the Fisher Global Consulting program?"

A: When reviewing applications for Fisher Global Consulting (FGC), we conduct a holistic approach and consider multiple factors, including the student’s GPA, skillsets, work experience, previous coursework, any consulting or case competition experience, video response, and knowledge of the local language and culture. Each location has a maximum capacity limit. There is no guarantee of placement to your top location preference, but qualifying applicants may still receive a placement offer in another location.

Q: "I want to apply to a location, but I don't see it on the application anymore".

A: Project teams that have been filled for specific locations will no longer be listed in the application.

Q: "What if I don’t speak the native language of the country I want to go to?"

A: No language other than English is required for any location, but having some skill in the local language will make students more competitive to be selected for that location.

Q: "I’m a Freshman, am I allowed to apply?"

A: No, freshmen are not eligible for this program.

Q: "When will I receive a decision letter?"

A: Students can expect an application decision as early as the last week of October, depending on when they submitted their application, but all students will receive an application decision by the final decision date in the end of January.

Q: "Will airfare be included in the program fee?"

A: For the Fisher Global Consulting (FGC) Start-Up program, airfare will NOT be included. Students accepted into the program will be responsible for their own airfare. 

Q: "How does housing work once in-country? Do students have to rent their own apartment, or will Ohio State / Office of Global Business provide housing for them?"

A: The program fee that students pay will include shared housing accommodations, which will be provided by the in-country partner. These housing accommodations are typically near the city center, situated within a 45-90 commute of the client organization, with convenient access to grocery stores, laundry facilities, and public/private transportation. The housing provides apartment- or dorm-style units with shared bathrooms, living space, and a kitchenette area.

Q: "Does Ohio State / Office of Global Business help students with transportation once in country?"

A: The program fee covers project sourcing, shared housing accommodations, program orientation both pre-departure and in-country, airport pick-up upon arrival to the destination, in-country activities and consulting support, and 24/7 onsite health and safety support. It does not cover costs associated with meals or transportation in-country.

Q: "What projects and client organizations are available in each location?"

A: The specific client organizations and their projects change every year, with some clients choosing to return and others being brand new. No particular types of industry projects are guaranteed. Students who are admitted into the program will not know what client or project they will be assigned to until the start of the Spring Semester BUSADM 4189 course. Project assignments are based on major, previous work/leadership experience, and knowledge of the local language and culture; project team configurations are designed to balance student skills and experiences.

Q: "What will my consulting hours in-country look like?"

A: The Fisher Global Consulting (FGC) program aims to give students a work experience opportunity matched according to their skills and experience. Therefore, the goal for the FGC program is to give students relevant work experience which includes a work balance similar to a 9-5 internship and being expected to work ~40 hours per week. Students should expect to spend 5 days per week in a local business environment focused on their consulting project. Specific companies' work hours may vary due to holidays and cultural norms, and any remote work is expected to be completed in-city.

Q: As an international student, will I be required to complete CPT paperwork?

A: Typically, no, not for Fisher Global Consulting. More information about CPT paperwork can be found on the International Student Resources page. Below are all situations in which students may need to complete CPT paperwork:

Q: "Do I self-enroll in BUSADM 4189, the second session Spring Semester course?"

A: No, the Office of Global Business will automatically enroll after your acceptance into the program.

Q: "I am already scheduled for 18 credit-hours in Spring Semester. Will I be able to add the 1 credit-hour BUSADM 4189 course to my schedule?"
A: Credit hour appeals are available, however, difficult and rare to receive. Students should plan ahead by having 1 credit-hour available in the Spring Semester in order to accommodate this course. As the Office of Global Business will enroll accepted students into the BUSADM 4189 course (students cannot enroll themselves), we will contact you if we are unable to enroll you due to your already being at or beyond 17.5 credit-hours. In that case, it is your responsibility to submit a credit hour appeal with your academic advisor, and you may do this as soon as you are accepted into the program. The additional credit hour may impact tuition costs, and students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor and review the Student Tuition and Fee Tables on the Registrar website to determine the actual impact on tuition. 

Remember: Credit hour appeals are not guaranteed.

Q: "Am I able to pay the program fee in installments?" 

A: No, your deposit is due two weeks from your acceptance letter. However, your final program fee is due by the date listed in your acceptance letter or by the final payment due date listed on the website (whichever one is later). The final payment due date is listed on the website when applications open in August. This is so students who are serious about committing to the program can begin preparing for finances early on. If you are accepted and committed to the program early, the payment portal will allow you to make payments in installments. However, you must complete your final installment by the final payment due date listed on the website. 

Q: "Am I able to pay the program fee with money from a 529 account?"

A: Yes, payment with a 529 account is accepted and must be done via check through the following steps:

1.  On the envelope, please note the recipient as Ed Ward using the address and information below: 

   Anthony Kozlowski
   Fisher Shared Services
   2100 Neil Avenue - 100 Fisher Hall
   Columbus, OH 43210

2. On the check itself, please include the following information:
   1. Payable to: The Ohio State University
   2. Memo: [Ohio State name.#, Program Name, Location]