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Admissions Procedures, Criteria and Timeline

Applications are reviewed by a faculty admissions committee. Applicants are judged on grade point average, GRE scores (there is no defined minimum score; however, most applicants score in the 80th and 90th percentiles), statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. As much as possible applicants are judged on a combination of these factors. Relevant job experience and advanced degrees are considered, particularly when a decision must be made among applicants of otherwise similar qualifications.

Most applicants are qualified for admission based on the criteria stated in the SIMS Admission requirements. We end up choosing those applicants who have a combination of the best undergraduate GPA (based on last two years of undergraduate study), high GRE scores, outstanding letters of recommendation and statements of purpose that demonstrate goals and interests consistent with the mission of the SIMS program.

Admission decisions made by the School are forwarded to the Graduate Division, which has the final authority to approve admission.

How many applications are received each year and how many students are accepted?

The School receives several hundred applications to the masters program each year. The campus Graduate Division establishes admission quotas for each department in order to maintain the graduate population on the campus at about 9,000 total graduate students. The present quota allows us to offer admission to about 45 masters applicants. With this ratio, we are forced to be selective.

When should I apply?

• Applications are normally available in early September.

• Applications and accompanying documentation are due: January 5th for admission the following fall. Masters students are admitted ONLY in the fall.

When will I find out if I have been accepted?

• Applications are reviewed during January, February and March. Admission decisions are usually made by the beginning of April.

• Notice of admission is usually sent by the Graduate Division by mail by the end of April.