Graduate Student Requirements
The first step is to apply to and be accepted by the graduate school of interest and be accepted by the program of her/his choice. Contact the prospective graduate department for details on application procedures, deadline information, and other departmental requirements, which can vary from one graduate school to another.
Admission steps
• Satisfy the requirements of the admitting graduate school
• Fill out a program/school-specific application form
• Pay a program/school-specific application fee
• Send official original records of academic achievements from each previously attended college or university. Academic records from overseas institutions must be provided in English and certified by a university or government official or notary public. Learn more.
• Provide evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable
Accepted students will receive a formal letter of acceptance from the graduate school, and a Declaration & Certification of Finances (DCF) form, which is required to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form). The I-20 form is necessary to obtain a nonimmigrant student visa (at the U.S. embassy/consulate in student’s home country) to attend a school in the United States or to maintain legal student status when transferring or changing schools within the U.S. The accepted student must fill out the DCF form and send it directly to the admitting graduate school, along with required supporting documents to initiate the process of issuing the I-20 form.