Prospective Students - International

Graduate Admission Requirements

Graduate Application Deadlines

The Office of Admissions should receive your online International Student Application for Admission and all required credentials by the appropriate deadline listed in the following chart. It is important to begin the application process nine to 12 months before you intend to begin your studies. Submit as much of the required information as possible in one packet (see the Information and Application Instructions for International Students).

Graduate Application and Credentials
Term	Deadlines	Status
Spring (begins early January)	October 1*	Check with your department
Summer (terms begin June and July)	December 1*	Check with your department
Fall (begins late August)	December 1*	Check with your department
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to submit their applications before the stated deadlines. Not all departments consider applications for spring and/or summer terms. Be sure to check with your department for more information on application deadlines.

*Not all departments consider applications for spring and/or summer terms.

It is important to submit your application, application fee, and supporting credentials early because many graduate departments begin making decisions 10 months before the term begins. For graduate departments with January and February departmental deadlines, complete applications and all required credentials must be received in the Office of Admissions (unless otherwise instructed) no later than December 1, because it takes the Office of Admissions six to eight weeks to process an application before forwarding it to the department. If you have a question about a departmental deadline, call the specific department. Early applications will receive first consideration for admission and financial support.

Graduate applicants to the applied math, astrophysical and planetary sciences, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, French, geography, German, journalism, mcd-biology, music, physics, psychology, Spanish, and technology, media and society (ATLAS) majors, the Center for Advanced Engineering and Technology Education (CAETE), the School of Law, the MBA program, and the business PhD degree should send all application materials directly to the appropriate department or graduate program office.

Required Credentials

Official Academic Records
Official certified transcripts of your previous academic records are expected. All records should be submitted in the native language, and credentials written in languages other than English must be accompanied by a literal, certified English translation. Diplomas or certificates of government or university examinations must show the subjects passed and grades/marks received.

Transfer students from U.S. institutions should request that the registrar of each institution they have attended send official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions. These transcripts should also include work that is in progress or was never completed. The admissions office cannot accept hand-delivered student copies of transcripts from U.S. schools as official.

Students from China and India must be particularly careful to submit complete official academic credentials (for university level work). Every page of each document must bear an original stamp or seal of the institution. Chinese students must submit transcripts and diplomas, both in Chinese and English and must submit diplomas showing every degree awarded. Students from India must submit individual marksheets for each semester or year, in addition to separate diplomas showing every degree awarded. Spain and all Latin American countries must submit transcripts and diplomas in both the native language and English and, as appropriate, must submit the official Titulo or Grado/Grau diploma for every degree awarded.

Standardized Tests
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to many graduate departments and is considered valuable for all others. Departments that require GRE scores are identified on the Information and Application Instructions for International Students. Direct any inquiries regarding these examinations to the department in which you intend to study.

If you are applying to the Leeds School of Business, you are required to present scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

You may obtain website, address and telephone information for various testing agencies from the Information and Application Instructions for International Students. The Ministry of Education, the American Cultural Center, or educational institutions in your home country are sources for this testing information as well.

English Language Requirement/TOEFL
You are not required to submit the TOEFL if,

1. your native language is English, or
2. you have completed at least one year of full-time study at a U.S. institution, or at an institution in a country where English is the native language, at the time you apply, and within two years from your desired admission term

Minimum TOEFL Scores Required
Graduate Programs
Aerospace engineering	560 (220*)	(83**)
Biological sciences — ecology and evolutionary biology	520 (213*)	(68**)
Biological sciences — molecular, cellular, and developmental biology	600 (250*)	(100**)
Business (master's in accounting)	550 (213*)	(79**)
Business (doctoral)	620 (260*)	(105**)
Chemical Engineering	600 (250*)	(100**)
Chemistry	600 (250*)	(100**)
Civil engineering	530 (200*)	(71**)
Communication (master's and doctoral)	550 (213*)	(79**)
Computer science	560 (220*)	(83**)
Dance	550 (213*)	(79**)
Economics	525 (197*)	(71**)
Education	650 (280*)	(114**)
Electrical engineering	600 (250*)	(100**)
Journalism	550 (213*)	(79**)
Linguistics	550 (213*)	(79**)
MBA	600 (250*)	(100**)
Mechanical engineering (master's)	550 (213*)	(79**)
Mechanical engineering (doctoral)	600 (250*)	(100**)
Music (doctoral)	550 (213*)	(79**)
Physics	575 (233*)	(89**)
Spanish	550 (213*)	(79**)
Telecommunications	600 (250*)	(100**)
Theater	550 (213*)	(79**)
All others	500 (173*)	(61**)
* Equivalent score based on the computer-administered TOEFL. ** Score on the internet based TOEFL.

If you need additional instruction in English, you may wish to enroll at the university's International English Center.

Application Fee
The nonrefundable application fee of $70 (U.S. funds) can be paid by credit card only for applicants using the online application.  Payment by check or money order is also available with the online application.  Using this method, you can submit the fee in the form of an international money order or check drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to the University of Colorado, in the amount of $70 (U.S. funds).  Print your full legal name and birth date on your check or money order to that it can be properly credited to your application.

Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation should preferably be from college or university professors. See Apply to CU-Boulder for recommendation forms.

Financial Statement
If you need an F-1 or J-1 visa (or if you are in the United States and will continue your F-1 or J-1 immigration status) you are required to certify that you have adequate financial support to complete your program of study. If your application for admission is complete, it can be reviewed without your financial statement. However, you must show proof of sufficient funds before your admission can be finalized and an immigration form can be sent. See Estimate Finances for more information.