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How to Apply

The University of Delaware is committed to creating an educational community that is intellectually, culturally and socially diverse. In total the University offers over 150 master and doctoral programs each one representing an area of expertise. Their work is supported by more than 50 research centers and institutes focusing on subjects of special interest and purpose for the public good. Our faculty attract significant research sponsorship for projects and programs of student and public benefit, including support for federally funded national centers of excellence.

Because graduate study offers greater specialization within a particular field of study questions are decentralized directly to the graduate departments.

Click here to learn about your program of interest.


Diversity International Students Campus Life Funding Resources Academics

    Resources
  • Application Procedures
  •    • Frequently Asked Questions
  •    • Application Deadlines
  •    • International Applicants
  •    • Transcripts
  •    • Recommendations
  •    • GRE/GMAT Test Scores
  •    • Resume
  •    • Essay/Personal Statement
  • Tuition Charges
  • Categories of Admission
  • Accepting Financial Support
  • CONTACT US >

  • Frequently Asked Questions

Application Procedures

The electronic application allows you to file an application before supporting documents are attached.

Step 1 Check the deadlines for your particular program of interest.

Step 2 Complete an online application. Although you will be able to enter, exit and re-enter your online application, you must click on the final page "Submit Application" to file it with the central office. We suggest you file your application several weeks before any deadline.

Step 3 Wait 3-5 days for the confirmation email.

Step 4 While waiting for your confirmation email, please preview the manner in which supporting documents should be submitted:

International Applicants (if applicable) GRE/GMAT Test Scores
Transcripts Resume
Recommendations Essay/Personal Statement

 

Some programs have additional requirements such as a writing sample or a supplemental form. All materials required will show on your applicant status page 3 to 5 days after submission.

 

Step 5 Upload all documents directly through your application status page.

The ONLY paper documents we should receive and process in our office are your transcripts. However, if you chose to send other types of documents by paper you must accept that it takes at least two (2) weeks from the date of their receipt in our office for them to be opened, matched, scanned and then posted as received to your application. This processing time is the same even if you send paper documents in advance of submitting the online application. In such a case it will be two (2) weeks from the date the application is submitted for all documents to be matched to that application.

All transcripts should be mailed to:
University of Delaware
Office of Graduate and Professional Education
234 Hullihen Hall
Newark, DE 19716-1501 USA

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am interested in the University of Delaware Graduate School. Can you please send me information about your programs?

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.

2. Can you tell me if my grades, experience, and test scores qualify me for admission to the University of Delaware Graduate School?

The University of Delaware does not review credentials prior to an application being submitted. Each applicant is reviewed using many different criteria and each graduate program has its own admission committee comprised of faculty in that program. 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 stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Click here to find UD's on-line application .

3. How much is the application fee?

For the 2009-2010 application season the application fee is $75.00

4. Can I apply for more than one degree program?

Yes. However, you must submit a separate application for each program. In addition, you must submit completely separate materials for each application. If you list the same recommenders on more than one application, they will be expected to submit a separate recommendation for each of your applications.

5. What is the most common mistake made by graduate applicants?

By far, the most common error is not mailing application documents far enough in-advance of stated deadlines. The Office of Graduate and Professional Education processes thousands of application documents. Therefore, it is very important that application documents arrive here in our office several weeks in advance of any deadline. Even if documents are sent overnight or by certified mail they still require several weeks to process. The responsibility for timeliness is always with the applicant. Click here to find out the current application deadlines .

6. What happens after I click the “submit” button on my application?

If you paid by credit card, you will receive a short email confirming your payment immediately after you submit your application. After 3-5 business days, you will receive another email that assigns your Applicant ID number.

7. How can I change something on the application that I submitted online?

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. Your UD ID#

2. Full Name

3. The section of the application in which the change to be made is located

4. The change that you would like to make

 

The admission specialist makes these changes at the back end of our system, therefore you will not see the change reflected on your view of the application.

8. How do I go about completing my application?

Read about each of the required documents here:

International Applicants (if applicable) GRE/GMAT Test Scores
Transcripts Resume
Recommendations Essay Questions

Some programs have additional requirements such as a writing sample or a supplemental form. Be sure to check your program’s website for additional application materials.

9. How can I check to see what documents have been received and what items are still needed to complete my application?

Using your original User ID# and Password you can re-enter your application 3-5 days after its submission to see your applicant status page. Remember: Even if documents are sent overnight or by certified mail they still require several weeks to process here in our office.

10. How do I know if the documents I sent through the postal mail have been received?

As stated in our application instructions it takes two (2) weeks from the date of receipt in our office for mailed documents to be opened, matched, scanned and posted as received to an application. Due to the volume of mail we receive, it is not possible to search our mailroom on a daily basis for individual inquiries. We also cannot confirm the arrival of an express envelope. However, if it has been more than two weeks from the date we received your documents - and they have not yet shown as received on your applicant status page - then please send us an email at gradadmissions@udel.edu.

11. What is happening between the time my documents arrive and the time they are logged to my status page?

Application materials are matched, verified, coded and scanned so as to be visible to your graduate admission committee via our secured network. It is only after this entire process has occurred that the item will appear on your applicant status page under “What we have received”. All documents are coded in the central office in the order in which they are received. The central office cannot respond to requests to move “late” documents ahead of documents submitted by applicants who took the time to plan appropriately.

12. (International Students) Do I have to submit the confidential financial information form in order to be admitted into the university?

Yes, but it will not be viewed by members of your faculty admission committee.

13. My status page says that my transcripts are in-progress. What does that mean?

Transcripts received and marked “in-progress” can mean several things including a transcript received in an already opened envelope, a degree that is still underway, the expectation of a separately issued diploma from certain countries, etc. However, the most important thing to know is that if your transcript has been marked “in-progress” it does not stop or delay their use in the review of your application in any way. A graduate department’s faculty admission committee will use “in-progress” transcripts for its review in exactly the same way they use transcripts marked “complete”. It is only at the point that they issue an acceptance that your transcripts will be fully verified for completion and authenticity by the central office. If any question remains it would then appear as a condition of acceptance in your offer letter stating that you must finalize proof of final transcripts prior to beginning coursework.

14. I attended a previous institution under my maiden name. Will this cause a problem with my application?

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.

15. My applicant status page shows you are expecting Letters from Recommender 1, Recommender 2 and Recommender 3. How do I know who these are?

These are the individuals you entered into the References & Experience page of the online application, and in the order you entered them. Please keep in mind that once those three names are entered our systems are designed to expect recommendations from those individuals only. Any additional recommendation letters or letters received from any other names will be marked as "Additional Documents".

16. I want to change the recommenders that I originally put on my online application. Can I have the email with the online recommendation link sent to my new recommender?

It is not our policy to resend an automated email to another recommender. You should have your new recommender submit a paper recommendation to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Education
234 Hullihen Hall
Newark, DE 19716 


In addition, you will need to send an email to gradadmissions@udel.edu specifying which name  you are replacing.  If you do not inform of us replacements, any letters received from names other than the three you listed in your application will be coded and scanned as an "Additional Document."

17. I selected the online recommender option by placing my recommender’s e-mail addresses into my application. How will I know if/when my recommenders have submitted their recommendations for me?

Online recommendations will automatically update on your status page within 24 hours of the recommender’s submission. If you are waiting to see an online recommendation come in - and have concerns - you should check directly with your recommender.

18. Although I entered my recommender's email addresses, one or more of my recommenders have not received the link for the University of Delaware's online letter of recommendation. Why?

Click here to review all of the possible reasons your recommender may not have received the online recommendation email.

19. I am not sure if my test scores (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT) will arrive in a timely fashion. How will that affect consideration of my application?

Most graduate departments will use your self-reported test results to consider your application until such time as the official scores arrive. However, it is strongly recommended that you check with your individual graduate department of interest to find out if this is the case for your particular department of interest. Please review required test scores and here if international.

20. I requested my GRE and/or TOEFL scores from ETS two weeks ago. Why haven't they shown as "received" on my status page?

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.

21. How do I enter/upload my essay?

An essay link will appear on your status page 3-5 days after you submit your application. Once you enter your essay questions it will be 24 hours before the essay will show as "received".

22. How can I avoid formatting changes upon upload?

Your document should use only standard margins and tab formatting. Be sure to take advantage of our "preview" option upon upload before clicking the final submit button.

23. I forgot to include my ID# on the document(s) that I submitted via postal mail. Will that cause a problem in processing my application?

We will match your documents with your application using your name, birth date and other information provided on your resume.

24. When will I know if I have been admitted or rejected?

Each graduate program has its own Admissions Committee. Each department admission committee reviews their applications at different times. When a committee makes a decision on an application it is processed within days by the central Graduate Admissions Office. Therefore, if you have not yet received notification of a decision, please contact the specified academic department directly.

25. Why was I not accepted to the University of Delaware Graduate School, even though I meet all of the requirements for admission?

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.

26. Although I was not accepted to my first-choice program, I would like my application transferred for consideration to another department or re-activated for a future term.

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 filled with all new documents.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines are set by the graduate programs themselves. Typically, the dates chosen represents when a faculty committee convenes to review that year's applicants. Some departments, however, make decisions as soon as an application is complete. Please consult the individual websites for this information.

If you are applying for a joint or dual degree follow the program deadline that is the earliest date.

The central graduate admissions office continues to process applications and transcripts throughout the year and follows the stated two (2) week processing timeline for all materials received in our office regardless of individual program deadlines.

 

Represents the general application deadline
If you wish to be considered for assistantships or fellowships AND there is a date in RED, all of your application materials must be received by the date in RED. If there is no date in RED, use the general application deadline.

Accounting

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Agricultural and Resource Economics

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: October 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Agricultural and Technology Education

Fall: April 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: March 1

American Material Culture

Fall: January 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Animal and Food Science

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Applied Mathematics

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Art - MFA

Fall: February 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Art Conservation

Fall: January 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Art History

Fall: January 2

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Biological Sciences

Fall: January 15 & April 15

Spring: October 1 (US citizen only)

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Biological Sciences/Business Administration

Fall: January 15 & April 15

Spring: October 1 (US citizen only)

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Biomechanics and Movement Science

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Bioresources Engineering

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Business Administration

Fall: February 1 & June 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: May 1

Chemical Engineering

Fall: March 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Chemical Engineering / Business Admin.

Fall: March 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Fall: February 1 & July 7

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Civil Engineering / Business Admin.

Fall: February 1 & July 7

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Climatology

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Communication

Fall: February 10 & May 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Computer and Information Sciences

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: October 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Counseling in Higher Education / College Counseling

Fall: April 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Counseling in Higher Education / Student Affairs

Fall: April 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Criminology

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Dietetic Internship Certificate Program

Fall: February 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Disaster Science and Management

Fall: February 1 & April 15 / July 1(Part-time)

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Economics

Fall: February 15 & July 1

Spring: November 15 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Economics / Business Admin.

Fall: February 15 & July 1

Spring: November 15 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Economics and Entrepreneurship for Educators

Fall: Not applicable at this time

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: between January 2 & March 31

Education - Ph.D.

Fall: December 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Ed.D.

Fall: February 28

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Curriculum and Instruction

Fall: April 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Educational Technology

Fall: April 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Exceptional Youth and Children

Fall: April 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Exceptional Youth and Children plus Certification

Fall: February 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Higher Education Administration

Fall: April 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Instruction

Fall: April 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: February 1

Education - Reading

Fall: April 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - School Leadership

Fall: Not applicable at this time

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: February 28

Education - School Psychology

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Education - Teaching English as a Second Language

Fall: April 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Fall: February 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

English

Fall: January 1 & May 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology

Fall: February 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Energy and Environmental Policy

Fall: February 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Exercise Science

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Fashion Studies

Fall: July 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Fashion Studies - Certificate Program in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business

Fall: July 1

Spring: January 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Finance

Fall :January 15 - International applicants
         March 15 - Domestic applicants

Spring: October 1 - International applicants
               December 1 - Domestic applicants

Note: These deadlines apply to both full-time and part-time applicants. After March 15 and December 1, we will continue to consider only part-time applicants on a space-available basis.

Foreign Languages and Literatures

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Geography

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Geology

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Health Promotion

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

History

Fall: January 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Hospitality Information Management

Fall: March 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Human Development and Family Studies

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Human Nutrition

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Information Systems and Technology Management

Fall: May 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Liberal Studies

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Linguistics and Cognitive Science

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: November 1 M.A. only

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Marine Studies

Fall: March 1 & July 1

Spring: October 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Materials Science and Engineering

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Mathematics

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: December 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Mechanical Engineering

Fall: January 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Music

Fall: March 15 & July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Nursing

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Ocean Engineering

Fall: March 1 & July 1

Spring: October 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Oceanography

Fall: March 1 & July 1

Spring: October 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Organizational Effectiveness, Development and Change

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: April 1

Operations Research

Fall: February 1 & April 1

Spring: October 1 & December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Physical Therapy

Fall: Not applicable at this time

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: October 15, Dec 1 (early admission) / January 15 (general admission)

Physics and Astronomy

Fall: February 15 & May 1

Spring: November 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Plant and Soil Sciences

Fall: July 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Political Science and International Relations

Fall: February 1 & May 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Preservation Studies

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Psychology

Fall: January 7

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Public Administration

Fall: February 1 & April 15 / July 1(Part-time)

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Public Horticulture

Fall: November 15

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Sociology

Fall: February 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Statistics

Fall: February 1 & July 1

Spring: Not applicable at this time

Summer: Not applicable at this time

Theatre

The next opportunity to apply for this program will be for Fall 2011 consideration.

Urban Affairs and Public Policy

Fall: February 1 & April 15 / July 1(Part-time)

Spring: December 1

Summer: Not applicable at this time

International Applicants

The University of Delaware is a highly ranked research University. As such, our master and doctoral degrees attract students from around the world. These special instructions describe how academic documents are handled upon their receipt in the Office of Graduate and Professional Education:

Applicant phase - academic credentials

Applicants to a University of Delaware graduate program must possess a U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree.

 

Do not submit original transcripts or diplomas during the application phase, as these will not be returned to you. Only one set of transcripts is required from each institution attended.

 

Upon receipt of transcripts and/or proof of degree from institutions outside the U.S. those documents will show as in-progress on your applicant status page. This allows for faster processing and, therefore, faster review by graduate departments.

Applicant phase - test scores
  1. TOEFL Requirement
    • The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is the standard University requirement to show proof of English language proficiency. The University of Delaware sets the following minimum scores:
    •    
      TOEFL paper-based: Minimum score of 550 (600 for some programs)
      TOEFL IBT: Minimum score 79 (100 for some programs)
         
    • Applicants are encouraged to provide scores from the Test of Spoken English (TSE) as well as this is a key component of the TOEFL.
    • To find out if your graduate program of interest has a higher minimum score please contact that department directly.
    • A waiver of the TOEFL exam is only allowed when:
      • A degree has been earned in a country where English is the primary language.
      • A degree has already been earned in the United States.
    • TOEFL scores are valid for two (2) years. Official scores are only marked as received when received directly from ETS. The ETS University of Delaware code is 5811.
    • Self reported or unofficial scores can be reported via the central office for viewing by the graduate department – but will not be marked as official on the applicant’s status page.
  2. IELTS Alternative
    • Some graduate programs will accept IELTS in place of the TOEFL. Please check with your department of interest.
    • The minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score is 6.5 overall with no individual sub-score below 6.0.
    • The same policies for the TOEFL above are relevant for IELTS.
    • IELTS should arrive from IELTS International and be sent directly to our office at: Office of Graduate and Professional Education, 234 Hullihen Hall 234 Newark, DE 19716.
  3. TOEFL - IELTS Score Comparison Table
    • Here is an abbreviated and unofficial TOEFL / IELTS comparison table:

       

      TOEFL pbt (Paper) TOEFL ibt (Internet) IELTS (Overall)  
      650 114 8.5  
      623 106 8.0  
      600 100 7.5 Required by some programs
      573 88 7.0  
      550 79 6.5 University minimum unless otherwise stated by program
      523 69 6.0  
      500 61 5.5  
Applicant phase - confidential financial information form

Our office receives several e-mails per day asking if the confidential financial information form must be completed and submitted by the program’s application deadline. The answer is yes it must be submitted by the program’s application deadline. Please be aware these documents are never shared with your faculty admission committee. Admission decisions are made on academic merit alone. The confidential financial information form is held in the central office and only pulled out in the event that a graduate department offers admission with no funding. If required tuition amounts for one year are present an I-20 can be immediately created for your use and included with your acceptance letter.

Applicant decisions

Only when a graduate department informs the central office they wish to admit an applicant to their program does the central office pull the applicant's file to begin the verification process. If any academic document is found to be incomplete or unofficial the applicant will receive a letter of conditional admission (or a direct communication if there is something else of greater concern). The condition of verifying academic documents within a letter of acceptance is a serious one. The student is not allowed to begin coursework until final documents have been received and verified by the Office of Graduate and Professional Education as described below.

How to finalize academic documents as a condition of acceptance

If you have received a letter of conditional acceptance based on finalizing International academic credentials, please read this section carefully:

 

  1. Proof of an earned, U.S. equivalent University level bachelor’s degree:
    • You must provide proof that they possess the equivalent of a U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree.
    • Proof of this University bachelor’s degree can only be considered if it is issued and mailed directly from the Records Office of the issuing University. Proof of an earned degree submitted in any other way can only be determined upon arrival and inspection.
    • If proof of degree is not issued in English directly by the institution then the applicant must provide a notarized translation of the earned degree.
    • If you have not yet earned your bachelor's degree:
      Many graduate applicants are still enrolled in final University courses when applying to graduate school. Such an applicant can be considered for a conditional acceptance only. The condition of providing final proof of an earned bachelor's degree must be satisfied before beginning graduate coursework at the University of Delaware.
  2. Academic Records / Consolidated Mark Sheet / Statement of Marks
    • You must provide an academic record listing every course taken at the University level.
    • Academic records must be issued and mailed directly from the Records Office of the issuing University. Records submitted in any other way can only be determined upon arrival and inspection.
    • If your academic records are issued in a language other than English a literal word-for-word English translation must be provided as an addition to the original language.
    • Fraudulent 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 we reserve the right of expulsion.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to request transcripts from each institution attended and have them mailed by the institution directly to our office. Only one set of transcripts is required from each institution attended.

It is the applicant's responsibility to investigate how long it takes each institution to mail transcripts. Based on this information the applicant

If you have not yet earned your bachelor's degree:
Many graduate applicants are still enrolled in final University courses when applying to graduate school. We understand that transcripts are often still “in-progress” and will be coded as such. This is considered complete enough for initial faculty review purposes.

Applicants who previously attended the University of Delaware should list our institution on their application, but need not provide a transcript.

Note: The ONLY paper documents we should receive and process in our office are your transcripts. All transcripts should be mailed to:

University of Delaware
Office of Graduate and Professional Education
234 Hullihen Hall
Newark, DE 19716-1501 USA

Fraudulent 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 we reserve the right of expulsion.

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Recommendations

Our application system requires recommendations be completed online by your recommenders (with the exception of the Masters in Liberal Studies). When completing your application you come to a page called References and Experience where you will be asked to identify three recommenders and enter their e-mail addresses. Not until three to five days after you click the final submit button for your application will your recommenders receive an email containing a link to a customized online recommendation form. The link is automatically sent once more one month later if the recommendation has still not been submitted. Once entered, any substitution to those three names must be handled by paper submission of the University of Delaware recommendation grid.

INSTRUCTIONS:

To use our online recommendation system correctly you must speak with your recommender first! After you have received both their permission and their preferred e-mail address given the restrictions below you should then enter the recommender's e-mail address into your application.

If your recommender states they have not received our recommendation e-mail the reason is usually one of the following:

  1. Time: The email to the recommenders is sent at the same time you receive your confirmation e-mail containing your applicant ID number. This may take up to 3-5 business days after you have clicked the "submit" button on your application.
  2. Spam filters: If you are certain that the email that you provided in your application is accurate, then you should contact your recommender and ask that they check their spam inbox. The subject line of our email is: "Your recommendation is requested for a UD graduate program applicant".
  3. Verifications: Some e-mail accounts use an automated verification system. Our recommendation system is unable to respond to requests to "verify the sender." You should check with your recommender if they have a system like this in place for their e-mail account.
  4. Incorrect e-mail address: It is possible that the email to your recommender was returned as undeliverable. Please go to your applicant status page and look carefully at the e-mail address you typed.

If you have made one of the above errors and need to change the e-mail address you initially submitted for your recommender you must write to us at gradadmissions@udel.edu with your full name, ID#, recommender's name, and recommender's corrected email address. You will receive a confirmation that the link has been re-sent within a week of your request.

GRE/GMAT Test Scores

test scores

Applicants should request all official test scores be reported directly to the University of Delaware.

GRE test scores (including Subject Test Scores, if required)

The ETS University of Delaware institution code is "5811." YOU ONLY NEED TO SUBMIT THE UNIVERSITY CODE OF 5811. NO DEPARTMENT CODE IS NEEDED FOR OUR INSTITUTION.

GMAT test scores (if required)

View the GMAT® Program Code List or request for official test scores online at mba.com.

 

GRE & GMAT test scores are only valid for five years from the test date until the date your application is received.

Waiver of these tests can only be made by a request from the faculty admission committee to the central graduate admissions office at the time of acceptance.

Resume

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A resume, or curriculum vitae, documents your prior work experience, publications, honors and awards received, and a summary of your educational credentials. This document is in addition to any prior work information entered into the application.

You will have the opportunity to upload this document to your application 3-5 days after submission, once you receive your confirmation email.

Essay/Personal Statement

Three to five days after you submit your application, you will have the opportunity to upload your Essay/Personal Statement. Please note that all essay questions should be uploaded as one document. The following is only a preview of the essay questions you will be asked at that time:

Standard Essay Questions:

  1. What are your vocational objectives and how will your proposed plan of graduate study relate to them? (The response to this essay is your "Personal Statement.")
  2. Within your major field, are there areas of special interest to you? Please explain.
  3. Are there special circumstances related to your academic record that you feel we should know about? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If the answer is yes, explain the circumstances, give the dates of the offense(s) and discuss what you learned from the circumstance.

Program Specific Essays

Agricultural and Technology Education
  1. Why do you wish to become a teacher of Agriscience?
Art History
  1. Please list all art history and architectural history courses taken/completed or in progress. Give year and institution for each along with course title and number.
  2. Language Assessment. Indicate the languages you have taken at your previous institutions. Include the years of study for each. (For example, French: 4 semesters in High School (1998-2000): University of xxx, 2000-2001: University xxx, 2001-2002)
Arts and Humanities Summer Institute (AHSI)
  1. What are your educational/professional objectives and how will your participation in the Arts and Humanities Summer Institute help you achieve these objectives? Please include any plans for graduate school. The response to this essay is your personal statement.
  2. Please tell us about the art, art history and English courses you have taken to date or are taking now. Please include course titles, but tell us more than we will know from reading your transcript about your interest in these courses, any research projects you might have done, and the relationship between this coursework and your educational/professional goals.
  3. Submit a 10-15 page critical writing sample. If interested in a Masters in Fine Arts also submit 3-10 images of recent art work.
  4. Who recommended that you participate in this summer institute? Will this person be writing a letter of recommendation for you? If no one recommended that you participate in this program, how did you hear about it?
Biological Sciences
  1. What scientific research experience have you had?
  2. What are your research interests and long-term professional objectives?
  3. What specific attributes of our Department make you feel that it would be a good place for you?
Business Administration Programs
  1. Getting your message across to prospective customers is a key element of a business plan. Please critique our effort to market the University of Delaware MBA programs by using specific examples of where and how you heard about our program (e.g., specific radio station, internet site, publication, TV station, etc.) and honestly assess how effective that vehicle was in drawing you to apply for admission. What are some strengths of these marketing efforts and what could be done better? What is the best way to reach prospective students like you? We are looking for insightful, specific and brief essays.
  2. What are your vocational objectives and how will your proposed plan of graduate study relate to them?
Chemistry and Biochemistry
  1. What are your primary area(s) of interest - analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, or physical?
Communication
  1. Upon what past experiences and interests do you base your present decision to apply for admission to the graduate program in Communication?
  2. What is your definition of Communication in the context of your interest area?
  3. How does study for the M.A. in Communication in our department fit into your short- and long-term goals and career aspirations?
  4. Is there any other information, not covered elsewhere in your application, which you would like to share with the department's Graduate Admissions Committee?
Energy and Environmental Policy
  1. MEEP applicants: Please submit a 1,000-word statement indicating your research interest.
  2. Ph.D. applicants: Please submit a 1,000-1,500 word statement indicating your research interest.
English
  1. What are your intellectual objectives and how will your proposed plan of graduate study relate to them? (The response to this essay is your "Personal Statement.")
  2. Within English studies, are there areas of special interest to you? Please explain.
  3. How will the resources at the University of Delaware (faculty and otherwise) help you to achieve your objectives and pursue you areas of interest?
Exceptional Children and Youth

Choose one of these options for this essay requirement:

  1. Select an important problem facing individuals with disabilities or the schools, teachers, or other people who work with them and propose a solution to this problem; or,
  2. Describe an experience in your own life that influenced your decision to work with individuals with disabilities; or,
  3. Mail a brief paper that you submitted in a recent education course to the Office of Graduate and Professional Education who will add it to your admission file.
Finance
  1. What are your career objectives and how will an MS in Finance help you achieve your goals?
  2. Describe a particular challenging experience, and how you handled that experience.
  3. Describe any special circumstances related to your academic record that you think the admissions committee should consider.
Hospitality Information Management
  1. What are your future professional goals and how would this graduate degree help you to achieve them? (The response to this essay is your " Personal Statement.")
  2. Within the hospitality field, are there areas of special interest to you?
  3. Are there special circumstances related to your academic record, such as low GPA or low GRE/GMAT scores that you feel we should know about? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If the answer is yes, explain the circumstances, give the dates of the offense(s) and discuss what you learned from the circumstance.
Liberal Studies

Submit a 3-5 page essay about your intellectual interests and life experiences and how you think these can be developed in the MALS program.

Material Science and Engineering
  1. What is your main area of research interest - soft materials, hard materials, or composite materials? If relevant, please also indicate specific faculty with research that is of interest to you.
  2. What are your vocational objectives and how will your proposed plan of graduate study relate to them? (The response to this essay is your "Personal Statement.")

Tuition Charges

Tuition charges vary depending on whether one is a Delaware resident or a resident of another state or country. Tuition is determined by the State, but is typically a few percentage points above the previous year's costs. For current Tuition rates, room and board and student fees visit: University of Delaware Billing & Collection web site.

Domestic Students: For a definition of Delaware residency click here or refer to the pamphlet, "Regulations Governing the Classification of Students at the University of Delaware," which is available by contacting the Student Services Building at (302) 831-8991. To be reviewed for and/or claim Delaware residency, applicants must complete the "Statement of Residence" portion of this application.

U.S. citizens may apply for Stafford Loans. You must file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) no later than March 15 (February 1st is preferred) with the Financial Aid Office (302-831-8761) to be considered for a Federal Stafford Loan.

International Students: See www.udel.edu/ofs/information/costs.html for more information.

Categories of Admission

  1. REGULAR STATUS: is offered to students who meet all of the established entrance requirements. Individuals who apply during the final year of undergraduate or current graduate work and are unable to supply transcripts showing the conferral of the degree will be admitted pending the conferral of the degree. Evidence of the earned degree must be provided prior to the first day of classes in the term of admission.

  2. CONDITIONAL ADMISSION: is offered when transcripts or test scores must still be verified by the Office of Graduate and Professional Education. The conditions of acceptance must be satisfied within the first semester of coursework.

  3. PROVISIONAL ADMISSION: is offered to students who are seeking admission to a degree program but lack specific prerequisites needed in the major department. Students with provisional status are not eligible for assistantships or fellowships until the provision has been met.

  4. NONDEGREE ADMISSION: may be offered to students who apply too late to submit standardized test scores but have supplied an official transcript. Test scores must be submitted and accepted by the department by the end of the first semester to be eligible to continue in a degree program.

    Nondegree status is also offered to students who wish to work to earn graduate credit with graduate status but do not intend to work for a degree (e.g., certificate programs). Transcripts and GRE scores are required for admission.

  5. VISITING SCHOLAR ADMISSION: is offered to students who wish to transfer graduate credits to another institution. A letter from the student's graduate dean or registrar certifying good academic standing is accepted in lieu of the transcripts and GRE scores. Visiting scholar status is generally limited to a period of two years and is a non-degree status.

  6. DEFERRED ADMISSION: An offer of admission with financial support is made only for the semester and year stated in the acceptance offer letter. Acceptance of the offer may not be deferred, except with explicit permission from the academic department. Otherwise, an accepted applicant who must postpone acceptance of an offer of admission may only request that their application be reactivated for consideration the following year. As always, the applicant must notify the graduate office by the admissions deadline to reactivate the application.

Accepting an Offer of Financial Support

An applicant who receives an offer of financial support is required to reply in writing by April 15. Earlier communication of an applicant's decision is encouraged and appreciated by the faculty.

Acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. If a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15.

However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made.

Further information is available through the Council of Graduate Studies.


 

 


University of Delaware
  • Office of Graduate & Professional Education  •   234 Hullihen Hall  •   Newark, DE 19716-1501  •   USA
    General email: gradoffice@udel.edu  •   Admissions contact: gradadmissions@udel.edu
    General: (302) 831-8697  •   Admissions: (302) 831-2129  •   Fax: (302) 831-8745  •   © 2009

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