How to Apply
Graduate programs at the University of Delaware each have their own unique admission requirements, funding options, deadlines, review processes and decision timelines. Understanding how your program of interest structures each of these areas is key to having a productive and positive applicant experience. Please read carefully the information contained on the webpages below and thank you for considering the University of Delaware as your partner in education.
Update as of July 12, 2012.
Because the University of Delaware offers over a hundred master and doctoral programs, each department responds to its own inquiries. To look up which department can answer your specific program-related questions and send you brochure materials, click here to contact a specific department or college. If you are interested in research, be sure to check out the UD Science Navigator to easily find graduate programs and professors that match your interests.
For the 2013-2014 application season the application fee is $75.00. Waiver categories are listed on the Application Fee webpage. If you feel you qualify for one of the categories you will find waiver instructions at the end of the application.
Yes. Each application must be submitted separately (typically you do not need to file a separate application for each concentration within a single graduate program but check with your program of interest to be sure). Each application must contain separately uploaded materials and separately created/submitted recommendations. You will need to click the "Create Account" button each time you wish to submit a new application.
By far, the most common error is not preparing application documents far enough in advance of stated deadlines. Click here to find out the current application deadlines.
Read about each of the required documents here:
| International Applicants(if applicable) | Resume |
| Transcripts | Personal Statement(s) |
| Recommendations | Writing Samples(if applicable) |
| Test Scores(if applicable) | Supplemental Documents(if applicable) |
It is expected that you will take the time needed to prepare a scanned or pdf version of your Resume, Personal Statement, transcripts (unofficial), writing sample (if applicable) and supplemental documents (if applicable) so that each item can be uploaded into the application at the designated area.
You can take your documents to a nearby business center and ask that your documents be scanned and sent to your e-mail address. Also, most libraries have scanners available. You can then attach your documents directly to your application.
We offer extensive support via our Technical Support link. Once you click inside your application you will see the Technical Support link at both the top and the bottom of the page. When you click the Technical Support link, locate "Submit a Ticket" and even attach the document that is causing you difficulty. Response time is typically 24-48 hours. If there is anything else we can help you with please contact gradadmissions@udel.edu.
Your recommender needs to write to support@hobsons.com, with the subject line "I am a recommender for a UD graduate applicant". They should then place their specific issue within the body of their e-mail.
Do not mail official transcripts during the applicant stage. If your department of interest indicates to the central office that they have an interest in offering you admission, the central office will insert the appropriate conditions for verifying your documents. The Office of Graduate and Professional Education will call into question the veracity of any document submitted to our office. We regularly verify transcripts with the issuing institution. If any material is found to have been altered or falsified in the finalization process, we reserve the right of expulsion.
After submitting your application, you can continue to log into your Application Status Page. The Status Page will show you if your recommenders have opened, started, or completed the recommendation on your behalf. From your status page, you can also re-send the recommendation links to your recommenders.
A graduate department's faculty admission committee will use "Received (Not Official)" transcripts for its review. Do not send transcripts by mail. If you sent them by mail you will not see them updated to official.
Changes cannot be done once the application has been submitted. Corrections can only be made by one of our admission specialists. Please email gradadmissions@udel.edu with the following information:
1. Full Name (as you entered into the application)
2. Date of Birth
3. The section of the application in which the change to be made is located
4. The change that you would like to make
Yes, it can slow down the matching process. The best thing you can do to avoid such delays is to inform your previous institution of your new/married name. That way, your educational documents will always be issued under your new/married name.
Most graduate departments require a GRE or GMAT, but not all. Please check your program’s website to determine what test scores, if any, are required of their applicants. If the GRE or GMAT are required, you may review information about how to submit those test scores here.
If you are an International applicant, proof of English proficiency is required, and waivers are only authorized under strict exceptions. You can read more about the University requirements for English proficiency here.
Our experience is that it takes 3-4 weeks from the time an applicant requests scores for us to receive them from ETS. If it has been that length of time, the next most common error is the applicant mistakenly placed the wrong date of birth or gender when entering test information. Please check your test report to see if this has caused an error in downloading your scores.
Some graduate programs interview applicants either in person, by phone, Skype or other means. Please check your program's admission website directly for this information. If your program does state that they hold interviews, the applicant will be contacted by the program if selected for an interview. Note: If selected for an interview, you may be asked to provide additional information directly to the program such as a photo ID for International applicants verifying identity.
Each graduate program has its own admissions committee. Each admission committee reviews their applications at different times. The main office cannot tell you when a graduate program will make decisions.
You will receive an e-mail notifying you that a decision or update has been posted to your Application Status Page. Upon logging into your Application Status Page you will see a new link called "Your application decision is now available online." When you click on that link, your decision letter will open. If you are declined admission, it is posted as an online letter only and no hard copy will follow. If you are admitted, you will see it posted online and a hard copy will follow.
Please respond using our Online Response Form. You will find a link to our Online Response Form inside the acceptance letter that is posted to your Applicant Status Page.
Questions about visa documents are answered on the Office of International Students and Scholars’ New Student Welcome page.
Admission to graduate programs at the University of Delaware is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet the minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission as the University receives many more applications to graduate programs than slots available. The graduate admission committees review multiple items in making their decisions to determine who will be a good fit for the program. If you wish to be considered for a different program after receiving a rejection notice, you will need to file a new application with new documents.
Once an action (such as a rejection) has been taken on an application, it cannot be transferred or re-activated. A new application must be completed with all new documents.
