Graduate School

Admission FAQs

Q: What must I submit for admission into graduate school?

A: For the Graduate School:

Citizens or permanent residents of the United States need to submit the following:

• Online graduate application for admission
• $50 application processing fee
• Official transcripts, see description below. Please note that notarized transcripts are not official.

International applicants need to submit the following:

• Online graduate application for admission
• US $50 application processing fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended;
certified English translation with academic credentials
if they are not written in English
• Financial guarantee of US$31,285 (plus US$4,906 for spouse, US$2,467 for the first child, and US$1,722 for each additional child) for at least the first year of education
• Official TOEFL scores (no more than two years old from the date of intended enrollment) sent directly from the Educational Testing Service.

A:  For the prospective department:

Your prospective department may require additional supporting documents for application. You should check the department's Web pages for these requirements.  For your convenience, the Graduate School has a link to all graduate programs

Q: When I apply, does the department get a copy of my application?

A: Yes. Electronic applications are immediately available to the Graduate School and prospective departments. If your application is for a program available at one of our regional
campuses, the application is also available to their campus offices.

Q: Is there a deadline for receipt of my application?

A: The priority deadline for all applications and corresponding materials is January 10 for fall semester and July 1 for spring.

These deadlines do not replace earlier departmental deadlines. Please check with your prospective department to see if there is an application deadline earlier than ours.

Q: I am an international student. Do I need to submit everything to the Graduate School by the priority deadline?

A: Yes. Your application file must be complete by the priority deadline of January 10.  Incomplete applications cannot be processed.

Q: What is an official transcript?

A: Please locate the instructions specific to you below.

  • Schools located inside the United States or Canada:
    In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School by the registrar of the institution involved. 
  • Transcripts that come from a third party or have been issued to the student and forwarded to the Graduate School are not considered official. 
  • Notarized transcripts are not official.
  • Schools located outside the United States or Canada: Transcripts must be issued by the official at the institution who is responsible for official student records.
  • Transcripts must be received by the Graduate School in sealed envelopes from the school attended. 
  • A certified English translation must accompany the academic credentials if they are not written in English.
  • Notarized transcripts are not official. 
  • Official transcripts must be received from all institutions.

Q: Which transcripts do I need to submit?

A: Please locate the instructions specific to you below.

Prospective students who have attended school in the United States or Canada must submit official transcripts from each of the following:

• Colleges or universities from which a degree has been granted or is expected and those transcripts showing the last 60 graded semester hours or 90 graded quarter hours of undergraduate work
• Any college or university showing graded coursework taken after the bachelor's degree

Note: Students intending to request transfer credit for their program of study will need to submit official transcripts from colleges or universities showing such credit.

Prospective students who have attended school outside the United States or Canada:

  • Official transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, or examination results from all institutions attended
  • Certified English translations with academic credentials if they are not written in English
  • Official certified  copies of degree certificates and its official English translation if they are not written in English
    Departments and programs are free to request additional transcripts as deemed appropriate.

Q: Do I need to order official transcripts if I've been attending WSU as an undergraduate?

A: No. If you are currently enrolled as an undergraduate at WSU, the Graduate School and academic departments have access to all records submitted for undergraduate admission and transfer credit.

Q: I received transfer credit for my WSU undergraduate degree. Do I need to order transcripts from my transfer institutions for the Graduate School and my prospective department?

A: No. Transcripts for work done prior to initial undergraduate registration at Washington State University are also not required. The Graduate School and academic departments have access to all records submitted for undergraduate admission and transfer credit.

Q: Are GRE/GMAT scores required for my graduate application?

A: While the Graduate School does not require GRE/GMAT scores, they are required by many departments. Refer to the departmental Web page to find out if GRE/GMAT scores are required.

Q: I am an international student and have been attending school in the United States. Do I need to submit TOEFL scores?

A: If you have received a degree from an English speaking school within two years of your intended enrollment at Washington State University, the TOEFL is not required.

Q: Are there letter of recommendation forms?

A: The Graduate School does not have forms for letters of recommendation. The reference information will be included in your online application. For additional information, refer to the
WSU Graduate School application instructions.    

Q: Is it possible to check the status of my graduate application on the Web?

A: Yes.  From any WSU webpage, go to the MyWSU link located at the top (create your account if necessary), click on Admission and then Check my Admission Status.

 

Graduate School, P.O. Box 641030, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1030, 509-335-1446, FAX:509-335-1949, Contact Us