2018-2019 Graduate Bulletin > Policies and General Information > General Information > Admission > Application Deadlines and Processing Time

Application Deadlines and Processing Time

Applying.

• Domestic applicants: apply 6 weeks prior to the registration period for the semester they plan to enroll.
• International applicants: students living within the United States should apply 6 weeks prior to the registration period for the semester they plan to enroll. Students outside the United States should apply 6-12 months prior to the registration period for the semester they plan to enroll.
• Non-degree seeking domestic applicants: apply 2 weeks prior to the registration period for the semester they plan to enroll. See Non-Degree Admission under Types of Admission for information and restrictions.

Specific Application Deadlines for Programs. Some departments have specific application deadlines and consider all graduate applications after a certain date. See specific admissions deadlines and information set by individual programs.

Requirements may change, so all applicants, regardless of their field of specialization, should contact their specific departments to find out what, if any, application deadlines may exist.

Decision Timeframe. Arrange for one official copy of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to be sent directly to Applications Processing from the Registrar’s Office of each college or university attended (except CMU).

Applicants are normally notified of an admission decision six weeks after the completed application, fee, and supporting documentation (including any required by the department) are received. If any portion of the required or department supplementary materials are delayed, the process can take longer. Students who have not received an admission decision six weeks after their complete admission file is received should contact Applications Processing (989-774-4444) for assistance.

CAUTION: Before coursework may be started, a student must apply for and be admitted to a program or be admitted as a non-degree/certificate student. Courses taken as a non-degree student may or may not be counted toward a graduate degree program. (See section titled “Types of Admission”.)

Certificate of Admission

Applications Processing alone determines non-degree admission. Admission to a degree or certificate granting program is always contingent upon departmental approval. Only the Applications Processing has the authority to admit graduate students. Department and programs recommend admission or denial. Applications Processing issues the final decision. Using the department’s admission or denial recommendation, Applications Processing either denies admission or sends the student an official Certificate of Admission indicating the student’s admission status (regular, conditional, non-degree, provisional, or concurrent) as well as other pertinent information. The Certificate of Admission is valid for one calendar year following the effective admission date. If a student does not enroll in courses within one calendar year after being admitted for graduate study, the student is required to reapply for admission.