Each academic department has different deadlines for application to their graduate programs. Some departments admit graduate students only once a year, in fall, and others admit both in fall and in spring. Still other programs start in summer. Often departments have firm deadlines for application, although some departments have rolling deadlines. However, most departments have firm deadlines for prospective students who expect funding. Please consult the individual graduate program information for specific application deadlines.

The Graduate College no longer has firm application deadlines. However, to make sure that we are able to process you documents in due time, we suggest the following dates for submitting your application to the Graduate College:

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Resident Applicants: Apply to the Graduate College at the same time that you apply to the graduate department to meet the department's application deadline. You can be admitted shortly after the department makes the appropriate recommendation to the Graduate College, up to the day before the semester starts. International Applicants: Because the admission of international students is more involved, i.e., it includes the evaluation of transcripts different from those used in the U.S., the issuance of documents to enable students to apply for a U.S. student visa, and time to process the visa itself through the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the student's home country, we recommend that you apply by December 1 if your objective is to enroll in the fall of the following year (August), and by June 1 if your objective is to enroll in the spring semester of the following year (January).

A prospective student may apply and submit the required supporting documents to the Graduate Admissions Office and the appropriate department as early as one year in advance. Application fees are non-refundable, thus we request that you verify posted deadlines and requirements prior to submitting an application.