How to Apply to GSAS

GSAS welcomes applications from individuals who have earned or will earn, prior to matriculation in a GSAS program, a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution.  

Fordham University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

GSAS utilizes a holistic or “whole file” admissions approach in reviewing applications for matriculation into its degree and advanced certificate programs. This approach helps ensure the consideration of a wide range of applicant qualities, and takes into account a broad base of evidence in rendering admissions decisions.

GSAS Application Information | International Applicants | Exemptions to the English Language Requirements | Applicants impacted by Natural Disasters, War, or Civil Unrest | Have Questions?

GSAS Application Information

• Application/Admission Requirements can vary by degree and program. Before applying, please visit the Graduate Programs page and carefully review the specific admissions information/requirements for your chosen degree program.
   
• Application Deadlines: Consult the Application Deadlines page to ensure you prepare all required materials in advance of your program’s application deadline.
   
• Application Fees: The non-refundable application fee is $75. Payment of the fee is required to complete the application and receive a decision. The reapplication fee is $35 for applicants reapplying within 18 months of their original application. Some individuals, such as U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel and participants in certain programs, may qualify for a waiver of the application fee.  See the Application Fee Waivers page for information on requesting a waiver of the application fee.
   
• Academic Transcripts: Official final transcripts* confirming prior degree conferral are required for all applicants. However, you may upload unofficial copies of your transcripts to your application while the Office of Admissions awaits receipt of your official transcripts. You should order your official final transcripts from your prior institutions as early as possible to ensure timely delivery.
  Transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions via secure electronic delivery at [email protected]. If electronic delivery is not available, please request that your prior institutions submit your transcripts by mail in a sealed envelope to:
  
  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
  Office of Admissions
  Keating Hall Room 216
  Fordham University
  441 E. Fordham Rd.
  Bronx, NY 10458
   
• Letters of Recommendation: When communicating with your recommendation letter writers, please provide them with at least one month’s advance notice to submit their recommendations. You will enter each recommendation provider’s name and email address directly into the online application. They will be notified electronically of your request. Please note: you may submit your application even if the submission of your recommendation letters is still in progress.
   
• Statement of Purpose/Intent: Can be submitted directly in the online application. Requirements for the statement may vary by program. Please see individual program requirements.
  
  
• Supplemental Essay (Optional): You may choose to answer this optional essay question. Your answer will help the admission committee get a better understanding of your unique perspective and potential contributions to our community. 
  
  Please discuss how your life experiences, perspective, or worldview have motivated or inspired you, posed challenges, helped you build skills, or taught you valuable lessons. We are eager to learn how these experiences have helped shape who you are and prepared you for graduate study, in keeping with our mission of "graduate education for the global good."
   
• Resume/CV: Can be submitted directly in the online application
   
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores): Submission of GRE scores is optional/not required for select GSAS programs for the 2023-2024 application. However, some programs are still requiring the GRE. Please see the GSAS Standardized Test Scores page or the individual program pages to determine if the GRE is optional/not required, required, or not accepted at all for your chosen program. Students who do not submit GRE scores will not be at any disadvantage in the process. GRE scores are not required for consideration for GSAS merit-based financial aid.
  
  Average Scores:
  

  Metric	M.A./M.S.	Ph.D.
  Selectivity	68%	9%
  GPA	3.45	3.75
  GRE Verbal	156	157
  GRE Quantitative	160	162
  GRE Analytical Writing	3.9	4.1

International Applicants

• Academic Transcripts: All transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions MUST be submitted in English, or be accompanied by a certified English translation. Transcripts and credentials conversion information is available on the GSAS International Students page.

• English Proficiency Requirements: International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test score results from one of the following accepted English language competency exams:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Cambridge English Proficiency Level
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • PTE Academic
  • Cambridge English Qualifications - We accept the B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency exams

Official TOEFL, IELTS, DET, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English Qualifications scores should be sent directly by the testing service to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Fordham University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (our ETS TOEFL score code #2259). Some applicants may qualify for an exemption of this requirement. Please consult the English Proficiency page for additional information.

Minimum score requirements for most programs:*

* The M.S. in Computer Science, M.S. in Cybersecurity, M.S. in Data Science, and Advanced Certificate on Data Science for Cybersecurity programs will consider applicants with the following scores:

Exemptions to the English Language Requirement

Exemptions from this requirement can be requested by the applicant in her/his application, or can be made in writing by the applicant to [email protected]. Exemptions are generally permitted for international applicants who:

1. are native English speakers from countries where English is an official language; and/or
2. have completed, within the past five years, at least two years of study at an undergraduate or graduate institution in the United States or in a country where English is the official language of instruction.

GSAS retains the right to request language evaluation from any applicant. The Fordham English Language Test (FELT), administered by Fordham’s Institute of American Language and Culture (IALC), may be required for those students whose English proficiency scores do not meet GSAS program requirements. Additional coursework may also be recommended by the IALC.

Students are permitted to register for two GSAS courses during the academic term in which they are completing any IALC-recommended coursework, which generally occurs during their first semester of study.

Please note: Tuition costs associated with the learning of English as a second language are the responsibility of the student and will not be covered by a GSAS tuition scholarship. GSAS merit-based tuition scholarships are not applicable to the costs of additional coursework recommended by the IALC.

Accommodations for Applicants Impacted by Natural Disasters, War, or Civil Unrest

Application Deadline Extensions: GSAS Admissions will consider requests for extensions of application deadlines on a case-by-case basis. If you find you need additional time to submit your application beyond the posted deadline for your chosen program, please email us at [email protected] with the subject "Application Deadline Extension Request."

Provisional admission: GSAS applicants may be granted provisional admission in cases where an applicant’s file is deemed "admissible" by the faculty review committee, pending receipt of additional required information, such as GRE scores. If you are offered provisional admission, your admission letter will state the provision and how to satisfy it. GSAS Admissions will work with applicants and, where possible, will coordinate with the ETS to assist in obtaining verified GRE scores.

GRE Waivers: For programs requiring the GRE, some GSAS applicants who are not able to submit GRE scores may be eligible for a waiver of the GRE, subject to the approval of the Dean of GSAS. Waivers are based on holistic review and assessment of an applicant’s academic background, preparedness for graduate study, and/or relevant professional experience.

To request consideration for a waiver of the GRE for a program that requires scores, please email GSAS Admissions at [email protected] with the subject “GRE Test Waiver Request.” Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Admissions may require additional information from you before considering your request. Applicants requesting a GRE waiver will be informed of a decision within 5-10 business days of submitting the request.

Still Have Questions? We Can Help

For all other admissions-related questions, please email [email protected].

Should you require additional assistance completing and/or submitting your online application, please feel free to contact GSAS Admissions by telephone during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) at 718-817-4416.

You are encouraged to visit Fordham in person and make prior arrangements to meet with faculty members within the department/program to which you are applying. Please contact the program or department directly, or email [email protected] for more information.