Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If your supplemental materials arrive at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences before you have submitted your application form, we will keep them on file and match to your application once submitted. Please allow at least one standard business day for hard copy items to be processed and reflected as received once your application form is submitted.

You do not necessarily need a master's degree to enter into a Ph.D program; however, the faculty will look for the proper coursework, experience, and maturity when admitting applicants into a Ph.D program.

Yes, BC MCGS offers nondegree options.

View Nondegree Options

The application fee is not usually waived; however, the Graduate School will consider waiver requests meeting specific criteria. An application fee or approved application fee waiver is required to complete your application.

Application Fee Details

Please allow for a standard processing time of up to one week from the date when ETS sends the scores until receipt is reflected within your submitted Applicant Status Portal. To avoid delays, ensure our school code (3083) is correctly designated and that names match as entered on score reports and application forms.

Please review the Transcripts and International Students application requirements for full details regarding the language proficiency requirement.

Application Requirements

TOEFL/IELTS scores are only valid for two years. Official score reports are required.

No, you need to submit a new application form and revised materials. Please contact the Admissions Office to inquire about official test score and/or specific document receipt and reuse.

Ideally, letters of recommendation should come from academic sources. If, however, there is no one who can write an academic recommendation on your behalf, you may seek one from an employer. The faculty review committee is primarily interested in your intellectual abilities and potential for success in graduate study.

Yes. Transcripts are required from each post-secondary institution you have attended, including transcripts containing nondegree coursework and, if applicable, transcripts from study-abroad programs.

Each department sets its own timeline for admissions review. Official notification from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions Office will be sent via email before the reply-by deadlines of April 15 and May 31 for Ph.D. and master's programs, respectively.

You must send both, the official transcript in the foreign language and a certified English translation of the transcript. Unofficial copies are acceptable for review purposes during the application process, but you must submit an official copy following matriculation.

Degree-granting programs generally offer admission starting in the fall term, only. Nondegree course options are available in fall, spring and summer terms.

Yes. Select the 'Start New Application' link presented when logged into your application portal to begin. Separate application forms and requirements in full must be submitted for each application. Official test scores and transcripts may be shared among files.

Request that the transcripts be sent directly to our Admissions Office. Official transcripts sent when applying will be kept on file.

Please alert the Admissions Office of your name change. This also applies if your name was different on previous collegiate transcripts. You will need to submit documentation proving the name change.

To be considered, your completed application must be submitted to the Graduate School by the appropriate deadline.

The 2024–2025 rate per credit hour is $2,078.

3083 (No department code is required when sending scores to BC MCGS).

There is a non-refundable $75 fee for each application you submit to MCGS.

A deferral may be requested for one semester or one academic year only. Deferral requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. The request must be made in writing to Associate Dean of Admissions, Robert Howe, and must indicate the reason(s) for request and duration of the deferral (maximum one academic year).

No, MCGS maintains a self-managed application process. Applicants can check whether their application requirements have been received through their Application Status Portal.

Application Status Portal