Admissions Application F.A.Q.

• A completed on-line university graduate application. Paper applications are no longer accepted by the university.
• An official copy of your collegiate transcript(s).
• Letters of recommendation from people who can speak informatively about your scholarship and capacity for success at the graduate level – generally, these would be former professors but may include an employer or other reference if pertinent to the field of study
• Scores from qualifying exams such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• A personal statement
and, if English is not your native language,
• Scores from the appropriate tests of English as discussed under International Students.

The last five items must be sent to the Graduate Program Coordinator in your program of choice. The on-line application will be immediately available to your program electronically.

*Applicants for admission to many, but not all, colleges and programs are required to take a standardized test. Individual programs should be consulted to determine specific requirements for admission. Programs that do not normally require a standardized test may require additional information in special circumstances.

How do I apply to the University of Cincinnati?
The university's on-line Graduate Application is a 10-step form that you must complete in order to be considered for admission to any graduate program at UC.

Make sure that you complete the on-line Graduate Application carefully and accurately because most of the fields are required. Some of the required information includes:

• The graduate program and degree of interest (MS, PhD, MBA, etc.)
• The quarter and year that you would like to begin
• Your personal information including name, address, birth date and country of citizenship
• Your previous undergraduate and graduate school information including majors, degrees earned and college start and end dates

When you complete the on-line application, pay close attention to the Graduate Admission information screen for your department (Step 1 of instructions), because your department may have additional forms that you need to download and submit for admission.

How long will it take to fill out the application?
You should plan on spending approximately 20 minutes to finish and review the form.

What is the application fee for my program?
$40.00 for most colleges/programs
$100.00 for College-Conservatory of Music
$100.00 for the Physiology (MS) program
$50.00 for College of Engineering
$45.00 for the Psychology program

You must pay this nonrefundable fee and we must receive your payment in order for your admission to be considered.

How do I pay my application fee?
You can pay the fee in two ways:

1. When you fill out the on-line application, it will prompt you to pay by Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard). We prefer this method because it will greatly expedite your application's processing.
2. You may also send U.S. currency in the form of a check drawn from a U.S. bank, a U.S. Postal Service money order or an international money order. Please note that if you are an international student, you must send an international money order. You should make your check or money order payable to "The University of Cincinnati." Do not send cash. Once you submit your on-line application, you will see the Graduate Admissions Application Confirmation on your computer screen. If you are not paying by credit card, you must mail a copy of this signed receipt with your payment.

Note: In a few special circumstances, applications fees will be waived – these involve U.S. citizens with demonstrated financial need (insert link to financial need instructions), McNair Scholars (insert link to McNair Scholar instructions), and State of Ohio STARS scholars (insert link to STARS scholar instructions).

Waiver Process for Financial Need
United States citizens can apply for an application fee waiver based on financial need. To do so, they must first submit their application for admission to the Graduate School following the normal procedure. Then the student must submit his or her written request for a fee waiver to the Senior Assistant University Dean of the Graduate School accompanied by credible verification of his or her need. The written request must identify the program to which the student is applying and the student’s anticipated first quarter, as well as provide his or her social security number (UCID number?) and should be sent to: Associate University Dean, PO Box 210627, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0627. Acceptable verification of financial need includes written verification of the student’s status from an official agency (federal, state, or city agency/program or government-funded program) on the agency’s letterhead or a copy of the student’s latest 1040 Form that was submitted to the IRS. If the request is denied, the applicant will be required to pay the application fee.

Waiver Process for McNair Scholars
McNair Scholars need not pay the application fee upon verification of McNair status. Send verification, signed by McNair program director on McNair letterhead to: Associate University Dean, PO Box 210627, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0627

Waiver Process for State of Ohio STARS Scholars
STARS Scholars need not pay the application fee upon verification of McNair status. Send verification, signed by McNair program director on McNair letterhead to: Associate University Dean, PO Box 210627, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0627

Will the university reimburse the $100 SEVIS/visa fee for international students?
Yes, newly enrolled graduate students are reimbursed the $100 SEVIS/visa fee when they check-in with the International Services office.

What do I send to my academic department?
The additional materials you should send to your academic department vary by program. At the end of your application, you will be shown what additional materials should be sent to your department. You will also receive an email after applying that contains these requirements.

To find your program's contact information, please visit the Degree Programs web page and select your desired program from the list.

When will I hear about my application?
The Graduate School will process your application, but your department will determine your acceptance into the program. Some academic departments review applications as they arrive; others have scheduled review dates and only evaluate applications at that time. The length of time that it will take for your department to review your application will depend upon the department's general procedure. Direct inquiries should be made to the program to which you have applied.

Once you are granted admission, you will receive an official letter of admission (or a request for additional information) from your department NOTE: Applications and application fees are valid for one academic year (Autumn Quarter through Summer Quarter).