Program Application FAQs

Yes. Your official transcripts, recommendations, and/or official test scores may arrive electronically before or after you submit your CAS application. These materials will be matched to your file once received. In addition to requesting official transcripts, you may upload unofficial transcripts to your application for review. Final official transcripts are required if admitted, before the start of the program.

Yes, many of our students are coming straight from undergrad. You can check on the application requirements website below to see which programs require a master's degree prior to entry (few programs require a master's degree prior):  Application Deadlines & Requirements | The Graduate School

Yes. Applicants in their final semester may apply. Admission is contingent upon degree conferral before the start of the program.

Programs conduct holistic review, but some fields require specific academic preparation. Review each program page’s admissions requirements for any prerequisites that may be required.

Yes. A course-by-course evaluation from WES, ECE, IEE, or another NACES member is required. Review foreign transcript evaluation guidelines under the relevant Foreign Transcript Evaluation section on the following website: Application Steps and Required Materials. 

Yes. You may submit your application while the evaluation is in progress. The evaluation will be matched to your file once received. 

If you have a transcript from a Canadian or U.S. institution, yes. You want to request your official transcript(s) from your institution(s) and have it sent through the CAS application system. In addition to requesting your official transcript(s), you may upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) to your application for review. Final official transcripts are required if admitted, before the start of the program. View transcript submission guidance under the relevant section on the following website: Application Steps and Required Materials.

Yes. In addition to requesting your official course-by-course transcript evaluation, if you have a copy of it, you may upload a course-by-course evaluation from WES, ECE, IEE, or another NACES member to your application. Review foreign transcript evaluation guidelines under the relevant Foreign Transcript Evaluation section on the following website: Application Steps and Required Materials. Final transcript evaluations are required if admitted, before the start of the program.

You enter recommender email addresses in the CAS application portal, and they receive a link to upload their letter.

No. Recommendations may arrive electronically via your CAS application before or after you submit your application. 

When you enter your recommender email address, be sure to indicate the deadline by which you expect the letter to be uploaded and submitted. 

While it does not automatically disadvantage you, it may raise questions. If you do not waive, committees may wonder whether the recommender felt constrained in what they could say or if they were less candid. So waiving is generally viewed more favorably.

You should prepare your recommender to write a letter that demonstrates your aptitude for graduate-level work and discuss the content of your letter with them beforehand. Many recommenders are happy to review your strengths together and talk about what they will emphasize.

Check your program’s requirements here, but recommenders typically include faculty who can speak to your academic abilities, research supervisors or PIs, or professional supervisors (when the program has indicated this is appropriate - confirm acceptable recommendation types here).

You must submit the following two statements: 

Statement of Academic Interest & Research Goals
Describes research interests, preparation, and alignment with faculty/program. View general statement guidance under the relevant statement sections on the following website: Application Steps and Required Materials. Programs may have specific requirements - Check department pages here. 

Autobiographical Sketch
Highlights background, identity, experiences, and motivations. View general statement guidance under the relevant statement sections on the following website: Application Steps and Required Materials. Programs may have specific requirements - Check department pages here. 

You can find more guidance on the distinction under the relevant statement sections on the following website: Application Steps and Required Materials. Be sure to label each essay appropriately before you upload it to your application. 

Yes—unless you hold a degree (or will hold a degree by the time of program enrollment) from a country where English is the primary language of instruction or you hold a degree from this list of TOEFL/IELTS-exempt countries. Otherwise, scores must be submitted by the application deadline. See guidelines for the English Language Proficiency Requirement here.  In addition to submitting your official score, you may also upload a copy of your TOEFL or IELTS scores to your application (if applicable to you), so there is no delay in reviewing your program application if your official scores have not yet been received.

Your CAS ID is located in your application system dashboard under your name in the upper-right corner of your application.