How to Apply
While our doctoral and master’s programs set their own unique admissions requirements, every prospective student must follow the same basic steps to apply for admission.
If you’re an international student, you should pay special attention to the additional steps outlined below.
Please carefully review the full step-by-step process below before applying.
Application Process
Step 1
Connect with your program of choice
Browse the program website for the doctoral or master's degree you are interested in. These pages contain in-depth information about each program’s organization, degree requirements, curriculum, resources, and more. You can also browse our events calendar to see if there are any open houses scheduled for your program.
All program-specific queries should be directed to the contacts listed on the program’s website.
Please note that you can only apply to one doctoral and one master’s program at a time. However, you can apply to one doctoral program and one master’s program in the same admissions cycle.
If you’re not sure which Graduate Center program is the best fit for you, please contact the Office of Admissions; we will set up an appointment for you to speak to an admissions counselor.
Step 2
Review Key Requirements and Deadlines
Carefully review the Deadlines and Requirements page, which lists the general requirements, deadlines, and prerequisites for each program. This page also contains important information about the suspension of GRE requirements for the upcoming admissions cycle.
Step 3
Gather your application materials
Make sure you’re prepared to submit the following materials:
Online application
You will submit an application form through the Graduate Center's online application system. Please use an email address that will not expire before your desired term of entry, as it will be used for correspondence from the Office of Admissions.
Applicant Statement
Please prepare an applicant statement ready to upload into the online application. You will be requested to respond to the following prompt: In your applicant statement, please discuss your past education and experience, academic and professional plans, and reasons for wishing to undertake graduate work. Include some details about your intended specialization, and any additional information you consider important for an assessment of your academic abilities.
Personal Statement
The Graduate Center is committed to creating a productive learning environment for students who have a broad array of experiences and backgrounds. In this optional section, you may discuss aspects of your background and life experiences that have shaped who you are today as a scholar and that will enable you to contribute positively to the Graduate Center’s community. (Please limit this statement to 250 words or less.)
Transcripts
Transcripts must be uploaded into the online application from each college or university attended even if you did not complete a degree or did not enroll in courses in your current field. If you are offered admission, and decide to attend the Graduate Center, you will be required to provide unopened, official hard copies or digital transcripts sent directly by Parchment or Clearinghouse to the Graduate Center from all prior institutions you have attended. In the event of discrepancies or false reporting of any information in the application uploads, the Graduate Center reserves the right to change/withdraw its offer of admission.
Letters of recommendation
Most Graduate Center programs require at least two letters of recommendation (please review the Deadlines and Requirements page to confirm the number of letters your program requires). We strongly recommend that these come from your professors; if you absolutely cannot obtain academic letters, then letters of recommendation from professional acquaintances — who can vouch for your ability to successfully undertake graduate study — may be submitted. When you complete your online application, you will be asked for the email address of each recommender, and our application system will send an email directly to each recommender. Please notify the individuals from whom you request references that they must submit the recommendation online.
*Professional references may be substituted for academic references if you are applying to the Ph.D. in Social Welfare.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score
Each program has different GRE requirements (although none set a minimum GRE score), so you should refer to the Deadlines and Requirements page to determine if you will be asked to submit scores for the GRE and/or Subject Test in the area of intended study. The scores are evaluated in a context of other measures of academic performance. We do not grant waivers for the GRE requirement.
To schedule a test, you can visit ETS’ website or call 1-800-GRE-CALL. Please schedule the test at least two weeks prior to your program’s application deadline. The online application will ask you to upload the student score report from your exam; your application will be reviewed with this upload. If you are admitted, you will be required to have your official scores reported to the Graduate Center—College Code 2113 prior to registration.
*The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) may be submitted in lieu of the GRE for applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Business. Official scores for the GMAT should be reported to the Graduate Center—College Code XWT-S7-47.
Any additional materials required by your intended program
Refer to the Deadlines and Requirements page or to your intended program’s page to confirm additional requirements (many require a CV and/or writing sample).
Step 4
Submit Your Application
Submit your online application along with the Graduate Center’s nonrefundable $75 application fee and electronically sign the application.
All program deadlines are firm. Applications must be completed in its entirety (along with all supporting documents) prior to midnight Eastern Standard Time of the deadline day.
Please note that no action will be taken on your application until payment is received. You have two options for payment:
1. Credit card payments, which will be accepted online. The City University of New York implements a 2.65% service fee on all credit card transactions.
2. Checks and money order payments, which must be made payable to the Graduate Center.
Cash will not be accepted by mail.
Step 5
Track your application
Once you submit your application, you will be able to track your application materials within five business days by logging back into your online application. When you are logged in, you can view your Next Step Checklist to see what documents may be considered outstanding.
Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure that the Office of Admissions receives all required materials by the application deadline. Under no circumstances will any application materials submitted to the Office of Admissions be returned to you or forwarded to another college, university, or place of business. All records submitted in support of an application for admission become part of the property of the Graduate Center
Step 6
Review Financial Aid information
The Graduate Center will automatically consider you for institutional aid as long as you have applied for admission before your program's deadline. If you are intending to apply for federal financial aid, please be sure to complete a FAFSA.
Step 7
Register (Post-Acceptance)
If you’ve been accepted, congratulations! Review your acceptance letter and accept your offer. Be sure to take note of the documents you need to provide before you can register. Contact our admissions team, the Office of Financial Aid, or your program if you have any further questions.
You will be sent registration materials approximately three to four weeks prior to new student registration. You must send official admissions documents to the Office of Admissions prior to registration.
Note that New York State law requires all students to complete a Meningococcal Meningitis Response Form prior to registration. In addition, New York State law requires all students born on or after January 1, 1957, to be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella. Registration will not be permitted if a student does not comply with state medical record regulations. If you have specific questions, please contact the Wellness Center at (212) 817-or wellness@gc.cuny.edu.
International Student Requirements
In addition to the requirements and processes above, international students should be aware of the following requirements:
Student Visas
International students must be accepted into their chosen program before beginning the process of obtaining a student visa.
Transcripts
Applicants who submit transcripts not issued in English must also include a certified English translation accompanying the transcript.
English Language Requirement
International students must present authoritative evidence of sufficient competence in the English language to pursue a regular course of study at The City University of New York. An applicant must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they have a post-secondary degree from an institution in which the language of instruction is English-only and located in a country that recognizes English as an official language.
Download a list of English language testing-exempt countries
Individual programs at the Graduate Center may require a minimum score on the TOEFL iBT for admission to the program.
The TOEFL iBT is administered internationally by Educational Testing Service; applicants must request ETS to report examination results directly to Admissions, the Graduate Center–College Code 2113, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016. The IELTS is administered by Cambridge English Language Assessment.
Inquiries concerning the TOEFL iBT may be made to Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, U.S.A., or to most American embassies and consulates in cities outside the United States. For additional information, call 1-800-GO-TOEFL or visit the ETS TOEFL website.
