FAQs

• What are my program requirements?

  Look Here for the Program Requirements List related to your program:

  • Architecture Program Requirements List
  • Arts & Sciences Program Requirements List - Humanities
  • Arts & Sciences Program Requirements List - Sciences
  • Education Program Requirements List
  • Engineering Program Requirements List
  • IST Program Requirements List
  • Management PhD Program Requirements List
  • Management Graduate Masters Program Requirements List
  • Maxwell Program Requirements List
  • Newhouse Phd ISDP MA Program Requirements List
  • Newhouse Program Requirements List - all masters
  • SHD Program Requirements List
  • VPA Program Requirements List
• Where do I mail my application?

  If you are mailing a Graduate Application Form, supplemental materials and/or payments should be mailed to this address:

  Enrollment Management Processing Center
  Syracuse University
  Graduate Admissions Processing
  P.O. Box 35060
  Syracuse, New York 13235-5060

  If you are sending materials using a package delivery company (i.e. FedEx, UPS, DHL), use this address:

  Enrollment Management Processing Center
  Syracuse University
  Graduate Admissions Processing
  716 E. Washington St, Suite 200
  Syracuse, New York 13210-1572

• What is Syracuse University's FAFSA institutional code?

  00288200

• What is the Syracuse University Institution Code for requesting test scores be sent to SU?

  The institution code for Syracuse University is 2823. It should be used when requesting the ETS (Educational Testing Service) to send your scores electronically to Syracuse University. It is not necessary to request that scores be reported to more than one department.

• How many copies of my transcripts do I need to submit for my application?

  You are only required to send one copy of records of all previous postsecondary education. You may upload copies of your transcripts when you submit your application, however, by the end of your first semester of study, all graduate students must submit an official transcript which must bear the appropriate signatures and seal of the institution that issued it and must be received by Syracuse University in a sealed envelope directly from that institution.

• How many letters of recommendation do I need to submit for my application?

• Three letters of recommendation are required, unless otherwise noted in your specific Program Requirements List. Please do not ask your recommenders to send recommendations on paper if you have registered them through the online application site apply.embark.com/grad/Syracuse

• Can I apply online?

  Yes, please go to apply.embark.com/grad/Syracuse

• How do I select a graduate school?

  Choosing a graduate school program isn't just a matter of determining your field. It's also finding a good fit with your research interests and career goals. What do you feel passionate about studying? In deciding where to apply, consider your own goals and directions as well as your resources. Here are a few starting points:

  1. Faculty

  One of the most important things to consider is the faculty. Is there a certain faculty member you are particularly excited about working with for an extensive period of time? Are your research interests in alignment? What are their areas of expertise, and do the specializations offered by the program seem like a good fit for you? It's important to remember you're much more likely to receive funding if your interests match those of the professors and/or the program.

  2. Program Focus

  Programs have different strengths, and it's important to learn about the faculty and individual program priorities. Is there an emphasis on theory or research? Do the courses sound interesting to you? What is the average degree completion time, and what is the percentage of students that enter into the PhD program that complete the degree?

• How do I polish my resume?

  We recommend that you visit your school's Career Services to polish your resume. You can also utilize the Syracuse University Career Services online resource:

  http://students.syr.edu/career/undergrad/resumebasic.htm

• How do I ask for a letter of recommendation?

  For the most part, if you know the person well enough, they will write you a letter. You need to be clear about the type of letter you would like. Here are some tips:

  • The best question to ask is, "Do you feel you know my work well enough to write me a good letter of recommendation?" If the professor does not clearly recollect or does not particularly like your work, this question provides a graceful excuse. By asking the question this way, you'll be certain that only professors who are enthusiastic about your work will write letters for you.
  • Confidential letters of recommendation should be submitted on the Embark online application by registering your recommenders.
• Any advice on my personal statement?

  Peruse this site for tips on writing your personal statement:

  http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/psfaq.htm

• What is a typical timeline for My graduate application process?

  A clear timeline is key to a successful graduate school application. Set specific deadlines for yourself, and be aware that specific graduate programs may have different due dates. You must apply in time to receive full consideration for graduate funding.

  Summer Before Your Senior Year

  • Begin work on your personal statement (see How to Write a Personal Statement above)
  • Explore graduate programs and request information. Familiarize yourself with faculty interests, entrance requirements, deadlines, and begin to read the scholarly work of faculty with whom you'd like to work.
  • Study for the GRE. You can take a course, form a study group, and download the FREE GRE PowerPrep materials from the GRE website: www.ets.org/gre/.
  • Ask faculty for recommendations using the guide above. Remember to provide clear deadlines, and an updated copy of your resume and personal statement to be sure that they have materials to craft an effective letter for you. Follow up to make sure all deadlines are met, and allow professors plenty of time to write your letters.
  • If you are an underrepresented student planning graduate study in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) fields, you should sign up for Project 1000. This assures that many (if not all) of your graduate school application fees will be waived with this common application: http://mati.eas.asu.edu/p1000/ The application fee for McNair scholars applying for graduate school is also waived by many colleges and universities, including Syracuse University.

  September

  • Solicit feedback on your personal statement from professors that know your work (preferably professors you have had at least two or three classes with as an undergraduate). Ask these professors which graduate programs might be a good fit for you, given your interests and abilities.
  • Narrow your graduate school choices. Most students apply to five to eight programs, finding a mix of "reach" schools, schools where they have a strong likelihood of being accepted, and a "safety" school that they'd be happy to attend if not admitted to a top choice.
  • Register to take the GRE.

  October

  • Take the GRE.
  • Tailor your personal statement to your chosen graduate school programs.
  • Order transcripts from your undergraduate institution. Only complete applications will be considered for funding opportunities, so you want to be sure you have all the supporting documentation in place.

  November

  • Download and complete your graduate school application forms.You should leave enough time for edit and review, and consider asking someone else to take a second (or third) look at your application.
  • Submit your completed application forms.

  December/January

  • Follow up to make sure that all of your supporting documents were received.

  February

  • If possible, visit your prospective programs.

  March

  • Submit a FAFSA form, available here: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

  Even if you're hoping for funding, you'll want to have other options available to you. You'll need to have your tax forms to do this.

  April

  • Letters of admission are sent on a rolling basis beginning in February. You should receive admissions letters no later than April 1^st, and you must accept or decline offers by April 15^th.

  Good luck with your application.

• How and when do I pay my tuition bill?

  Please click here for all the pertinent details.

• What forms of payment do you accept?

  Please visit the Bursar’s website for your payment options: http://comptroller.syr.edu/comptroller

• How long are my GRE scores good for?

  GRE General Test scores are valid for five years, for more information please see: http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general_institutions/score_use/

• For how long are my TOEFL scores valid?

  Scores are valid for two years after the test date, for more information, see: http://www.ets.org/toefl/pbt/faq/