Special Departmental Requirements:
Some departments require interviews as part of the application process. A few programs require portfolios
of applicants' creative or scholarly work. Programs that need additional
materials generally identify those requirements on their websites. If you wish to submit other materials,
such as a writing sample, please include them in your supporting documents envelope or send them directly to
the department or program office under separate cover.
The School of Management and
the Master of Public Administration program
both request a resume in addition to all other supplemental materials. (Even if a program does not request a resume, we suggest
that you submit one.)
Applicants to several programs in the School of Education and the College of Community & Public Affairs (including
programs in the Division of Education and the MSW program) should visit the school website for
Information for Prospective Students.
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Requirements for Continuing Education (Non-Degree) Admission
Continuing Education status is often used by students who want to determine if they are able to do
graduate-level work or by students who are attempting to pick up the requisite background for a specific
area of study before applying to a graduate program. Students who wish to take courses without being
formally admitted to a degree program may take up to 12 credits (sometimes fewer, depending on the
department or school) as a Continuing Education student. No degrees or graduate assistantships are
granted to Continuing Education students. Should a Continuing Education student eventually enroll in
a graduate program, courses taken as a Continuing Education student may be used to satisfy program
requirements (if they are required by the program's curriculum).
Admission for Continuing Education status is an easy and quick procedure requiring the completion
of a short on-line application form, proof of a bachelor's degree, and a $25 processing fee. Admission
and enrollment can normally be obtained in a few days. Continuing Education students are welcome
in all areas at Binghamton University; however, some fields have such high demand from matriculated
students that Continuing Education students might find courses already filled. Prospective students
interested in taking courses in Management should consult the
School of Management
first, since Continuing Education enrollments are limited. Likewise, for courses in the Division of Education.
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GRE, GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS Testing
Official (GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL) test scores must be ordered from the Educational Testing Service (ETS),
using school code 2535. For the TOEFL score report, you could choose any department code that is nearest to the program you are interested in except 00 as this code is for undergraduate institutions. These scores will be sent directly to Binghamton University by ETS. IELTS scores must be ordered from IELTS Test Report Service.
The TOEFL/IELTS score is not required if you have received a degree from a U.S. institution or if you have
received a degree from an institution in a country whose native language is English.
Optional: Although photocopies of GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL/IELTS scores will not substitute for official test
score results, when application is made close to deadlines, department evaluation may take place with the
use of photocopies. An admission offer cannot be made, however, until the official scores are received.
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Supporting Documentation
In addition to completing the on-line application, you will also need to mail to the Graduate School
specified supporting documentation and your non-refundable application fee of $60. Supporting documentation
includes:
All necessary forms are available in PDF form and can be printed during the application process.
After submitting your electronic application, you will receive an email confirmation. This confirmation
will include your "Binghamton ID #", which should be printed on all supplemental document forms and should be
used any time you are corresponding with the Graduate School about your application.
All supporting documents must be placed together in one envelope and mailed to The Graduate School at the
address provided below. Preparing and mailing a complete supporting documentation packet will assure that your
application reaches your program as quickly as possible. Incomplete packets will significantly delay review
of your application, which could adversely affect your admission and/or funding.
The Graduate School
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000*
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
*For courier service, use 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Couper
Administration Building, Room AD 134.
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Official (Attested) Transcripts (Mark Sheets)
You must provide two copies of official (attested) transcripts (mark sheets) from each college or university
attended except Binghamton University; it is not necessary to provide any official transcripts for
undergraduate or graduate education received from Binghamton University; in fact, we ask that you do
not submit any BU transcripts. (In addition, it is not necessary to provide transcripts that
were previously submitted to Binghamton University during a prior [graduate or undergraduate] admissions
procedure).
If you do not already have official transcripts, you may wish to use the Transcript Request Form; again,
this form is optional; it is not necessary to include the Transcript Request Form with your supplemental
documents. When requesting transcripts, enclose a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope so that the
transcript will be returned to you. When you receive the transcripts, do not open the envelopes.
Include them unopened in your supporting documentation packet. Allow ample time for the transcripts
to reach you.
The transcripts from some international institutions do not specifically state that a degree has been
conferred. If your official transcript (mark sheet) does not specifically state that a bachelor's degree
(or its equivalent) has been conferred, you will also need to submit an official (attested) diploma showing
conferral of the degree. For students from India, we will accept as final, a Provisional Certificate
of Degree.
If you are in the process of completing a degree, please send an official [although temporary] transcript
that shows your progress to this point. You will need to send a final, official transcript once your degree
is conferred. Please note that temporary transcripts (that do not show degree conferral) are adequate for the
application process and your application processing will not be delayed because you have submitted temporary
transcripts. We understand that some international institutions may not issue transcripts for a period of as
much as one year after completion of the program. You will be permitted to register for your first semester
without an official transcript; thereafter, however, you will not be able to continue to register without
providing proof that you have completed your degree.
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Letters of Recommendation
The Letter of Recommendation form consists of two pages. Two letters of recommendation are required,
so print out two copies of each page. While this form is preferred, it is not mandatory and you may simply
request that your recommenders prepare letters.
Recommendations should be written by people who can
authoritatively comment on your academic achievements at schools you have attended; applicants who have
been out of school for more than five years may use other references.
Provide each of your recommenders
with a copy of the Letter of Recommendation form and a postage-paid envelope addressed to you. We recommend that you give your recommenders 2-3 weeks notice. Ask your recommenders to complete the recommendations, seal the envelope and write their name across the seal, and return them to you in the envelopes you have
provided. Make sure to ask that recommendations are returned in time to allow you to meet your application
deadline. When you receive the recommendations, do not open them. The seal must not be broken. Include them
unopened in your supporting documentation envelope. If you recommenders would prefer, they
may send their letters directly to the Graduate School rather than to you; in that case, please ask that
they include the form and that they clearly identify you as the applicant in their letters; in such cases,
you may wish to provide your recommenders with envelopes addressed to the Graduate School instead of to you.
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Personal Statement
Write a personal statement in which you discuss your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your special
interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be
of interest to an admissions committee in your discipline. You may choose to write your personal statement
on the Personal Statement Form or use your own paper/stationery. If you choose not to use Form (or if you
require a second page), please place your name and Binghamton ID # on each page of the personal statement.
Include the personal statement in the supporting documentation packet. The personal statement need not be
handwritten.
Applicants to the School of Management are asked to submit a resume along with their personal statement.
Applicants to the Division of Education in the School of Education are asked to write
a specific personal statement highlighting teaching as a profession. Applicants must also submit a resume and
documentation of teaching certification, if appropriate. See
Information for Prospective Students in
Education for more information.
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Photocopies of Test Scores
Optional: Although photocopies of GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL scores will not substitute for official test
score results, when application is made close to deadlines, department evaluation may take place with the
use of photocopies. An admission offer cannot be made, however, until the official scores are received.
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The Application Fee
The fee for submitting the electronic (on-line) application is $60. The fee for submitting a paper
application is $75. An application fee must be paid by all applicants. As a public institution supported
by the State of New York, we are required to charge an application fee for every applicant. Exceptions
can be made for former McNair, EOP, HEOP, SEEK or Project 1000 students, who must obtain verification of
this status from their undergraduate institution; in this case, it is imperative that the Application Fee
Form be returned with the appropriate box (near the bottom of the form) checked.
We accept checks, payable to Binghamton University Graduate Admissions, or credit-card authorization
for either VISA or MasterCard. If paying by check or postal money order, attach your fee instrument
and include it in the supporting documentation packet. Please do not send cash.
If you are paying by credit card, be sure to complete the following credit card information on the Application
Fee Payment Form and return it in the packet:
- Type of credit card (VISA or MasterCard)
- Credit card number
- Expiration date
No action will be taken on your application until this fee is received. An application is considered received on the date the application fee is received. Your cancelled check or credit card billing is your receipt. Per SUNY policy, application fees are non-refundable.
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Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program. Click here to view the application deadline for your program.
Applicants who are not seeking funding may apply anytime but
all admissions are limited by size of the programs.
Applicants are reminded to plan ahead, as a completed application (including application fee and all required supporting materials) must be received by the stated application deadline for full consideration. Contact the program if you have questions about a program's acceptance of applications (and required materials) after their stated deadline (Click here to view the list of degree programs).
Applicants for the next fall semester who wish to obtain TA/GA/RA/fellowships positions are strongly encouraged to submit their application by late December.
Applicants for the next spring semester should submit their application by early October. Some
programs do not offer admission for the spring; others have spring admission but without departmental funding.
Details on the deadline for your specific program will also be provided to you during the on-line application process.
To learn the policies governing admission and aid in your program, please read departmental materials carefully and,
if you have questions, contact the program office.
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International Student Financial Statement:
International applicants are required to submit a financial statement and a bank affidavit. The financial
statement is required for immigration and visa purposes. Detailed instructions for completing the form are
provided.
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How the Graduate School Processes Your Application
Once your supplemental materials are received, the Graduate School will
determine the completeness of your application, process your application, and
(if complete) immediately forward it to the program to which you are applying.
You will be notified by email when we have forwarded your application to the
program.
If your application is missing any supporting documentation, you will be
notified twice by email and twice by formal letter. Missing credentials
emails/letters are normally sent approximately 30 days apart. You will also
receive a missing credentials letter if you have submitted temporary
transcripts. Please note that no action is required for temporary
transcripts; this correspondence is provided only as a matter of
courtesy to alert you to the fact that we believe your transcript is temporary.
Once you complete your degree, you should send us a final copy that clearly
shows the conferral of a degree.
Admission decisions are made within the respective graduate programs; the
time required for a decision varies by program and the time period in which the
application is received. Applications are read and evaluated by committees of scholars in the field. Once
the program has made a decision, that decision will be conveyed to the Graduate
School. You will then receive an immediate email notifying you of the decision;
you will also receive a formal (paper) decision letter.
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Additional Notes
If you have any records under another name, please note this on the application form ("Former last name") and
cross-reference all documents to avoid confusion or loss.
Accuracy of Materials:
It is important that your application and the materials you submit are accurate and complete. Your signature
on the Fee Payment Form attests to your compliance with this standard for academic communications.
Property of Materials: All materials submitted in support of your application become the property of
Binghamton University. We cannot return these materials (or copies of these materials) to applicants.
Mailing your Supplemental Materials: To ensure speedy handling, please write the words
"Electronic Submission" on the outside of the envelope and mail it to:
The Graduate School
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000*
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
*For courier service, use 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Couper
Administration Building, Room AD 134.
Questions? Contact The Graduate School by e-mail at
gradad@binghamton.edu or by phone at (607) 777-2151.
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