Admissions
Students may apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as degree-seeking students or as special non-degree students.
As a rule, only well-qualified persons who have completed a program leading to the bachelor's degree will be considered for admission to the degree programs offered through the Graduate School. Graduates of schools in other countries and other students who have completed the equivalent of a bachelor's degree program may apply, describing the educational program they have completed. See Application Requirements and Application Deadlines for the components of a completed application.
All applicants to degree programs are considered on a competitive basis. The number of students admitted each year is limited so that the Graduate School may operate effectively under its distinctive principles of individualized study and apprenticeship. Selections are based on the applicant's ability to do graduate work of high quality, as shown by the distinction of the applicant's previous record, particularly in the proposed area of study; the letters of recommendation submitted in support of the application; and the applicant's presumed adaptability to the particular graduate programs offered by Brandeis. In addition, knowledge of foreign languages, relevant practical experience in the field, samples of work, the results of the GRE, and indications of character are considered.
Each application for admission, with all supporting records, is first examined by the appropriate program committee. The committee recommends to the Dean of Arts and Sciences which applicants should be selected for admission and financial aid.
Apply
Go to our on-line application center where you can submit an application electronically or download and submit the application by mail.
Admissions Requirements/Deadlines for Specific Departments
Go to the admissions deadlines/information for your department.
Requirements for Acceptance
A student who has been accepted for admission to the Graduate School will be notified by a letter specifying the date by which he or she must accept the offer of admission and awards, if any. If a student selected for admission indicates that he or she does not intend to accept the offer or fails to reply by the date specified, the admission offer becomes void and another applicant may be accepted.
Students who are accepted must provide the Graduate School office with an official final transcript of their undergraduate record and, if required by the program, any graduate work in progress at the time of acceptance. All admitted students are required to complete and return a medical questionnaire and a health insurance form, which will be sent during the summer. The summer mailing also includes a map of the Brandeis campus, information on medical insurance and registration, and other relevant materials.
If, after having been admitted, a student cannot attend, he or she should notify the Graduate School as soon as possible. If such students are to be admitted for a subsequent academic year, they must request reactivation of their applications at the appropriate time, and bring them up to date, as admission is valid for only one academic year. Matriculation fees cannot be refunded or credited toward the following academic year.
International students will be sent a Visa Information and Declaration of Finances form with their offer of admission. This form must be filled out completely and returned to the International Students and Scholars Office at Brandeis. Once received, the immigration document needed to apply for a student visa will be sent to the student with instructions for obtaining the proper visa to attend Brandeis.
The Graduate School must receive all required TOEFL and GRE scores in an official format directly from Educational Testing Service before immigration documents will be processed.
Reactivation
Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply in a later year, particularly if they have had further training that would strengthen their applications or if they can submit additional letters of recommendation. Requests for reactivation should be sent to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, along with updated application information. Go to the admissions deadlines/information for your department.