F.A.Q.
Choose a category below to view the F.A.Q. for that category.
Application Fee
Application Status
Applying for Admission
Certificate Program
Changing Information to the Application after Submission
Financial Aid
Housing
Reference Questions
Supplemental Materials
Technical Problem
Test Scores
Transcripts/Records
Request Help
(if answer is not found in F.A.Q.)
Question: Can the application fee be waived?
Answer: The Graduate School does not waive application fees. Your application will not be processed in the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services without receipt of the application fee.
Question: When is my fee processed?
Answer: When payment is received.
Question: How do I check the status of my application?
Answer: You will need to contact your intended program of study.
Question: When will I know if I am admitted?
Answer: The Graduate School takes no action until the program makes a recommendation. Check with your intended program of study.
Question: I was denied admission and wish to reapply to the same or different program/degree/semester. How do I reapply and submit the required documents?
Answer: You will need to complete a new graduate on-line application and provide the required program documents. If you are reapplying to the same program, please contact your intended program of study to determine if updated documents are necessary.
Question: Can I be accepted conditionally if I have not yet taken the TOEFL test?
Answer: A: No.
- The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.
- International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.
- Please note that specific graduate programs may require all international applicants to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, regardless of their academic background and country of origin.
Question: Who makes the admission or denial decision, my program or the Graduate School?
Answer: Your program will recommend your acceptance to the Graduate School. After final review by the Graduate School, you will receive formal notification of your admission. Questions concerning your admission or denial should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: Will the Graduate School or the graduate program contact me if there are questions regarding my application?
Answer: Because admission is granted jointly by the Graduate School and the academic program, you may be contacted by either office. Each program has its own procedures for evaluating applications. The programs recommend admission to the Graduate School and the Graduate School, in turn, monitors procedures and minimum requirements and makes the final decision on your admission.
Question: Do all my materials need to be received by the deadline?
Answer: Programs set and enforce deadlines. Please check with your intended program of study. International applicants must submit materials at least four months prior to the semester they plan to enroll; however, the application deadline for some programs is much earlier than this. All applicants should consult their intended program of study for specific requirements.
Question: I incorrectly reported my test results on the application. How can I get them corrected?
Answer: Please contact your intended program of study with this information. Official scores must be sent to Penn State from the appropriate reporting agency (ETS, Pearson Vue, etc.)
Question: Do I need to calculate my junior/senior GPA?
Answer: It is not required to calculate your junior/senior GPA, but if you wish to report it, you may do so.
Question: Where should I have my test scores sent?
Answer: All test scores should be sent to your intended program of study. The institution code for Penn State is 2660.
Question: May I apply to more than one program at a time?
Answer: Only one active application may be considered for admission at any given time. If you submit additional applications, only your most recently submitted application will be reviewed.
Question: I have questions about my junior/senior GPA. Who do I ask?
Answer: Any questions regarding the junior/senior GPA should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: I am applying to a certificate program using the graduate nondegree application. Does this guarantee me acceptance to the certificate program?
Answer: No. Acceptance as a nondegree student does not guarantee you admission to the certificate program. Each certificate program has its own requirements that are separate from the Graduate School. Therefore, you must contact the program that is offering the certificate.
Question: How do I indicate that I am applying for a certificate program?
Answer: You will need to apply for nondegree admission but also follow the instructions found on the certificate program Web site.
Changing Information to the Application after Submission
Question: How can I make changes to my application after it has been submitted?
Answer: To add or make changes to your reference information, program specific questions, or uploaded documents, you must contact your intended program of study.. For all other changes (semester, major, degree, address, etc.), please submit a request for help from the top menu.
Question: Where do I obtain information regarding financial aid?
Answer: The best places to identify sources of financial support are your intended program of study, the Graduate School Office of Fellowships and Awards, the Office of Graduate Educational Equity, the Office of Student Aid, and resources outside the University. The program is the most important source of funding for the majority of graduate students.
Question: I have questions about the Financial Aid section on one of the supplemental forms. With whom do I speak?
Answer: All questions regarding supplemental forms should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: Where do I obtain information regarding graduate housing?
Answer: Housing information will be sent to all applicants who are recommended for admission. Applicants must be admitted to the Graduate School before their requests for on-campus living accommodations can be processed.
Question: How and when are my referees notified to submit a letter of reference?
Answer:
- If your program has elected to use the on-line reference features (refer to your program’s Web site), your referees will be notified via e-mail upon submission of your graduate application.
- If your program chose not to use the on-line reference features (refer to your program’s Web site), your referees will not be notified via e-mail and it is your responsibility to contact these individuals.
Question: Does my program have a specific letter of reference format I need to follow?
Answer: You will need to contact your intended program of study.
Question: My references cannot send a digital file for my letter of reference. How can they get the letter of reference to the program?
Answer: You will need to contact your intended program of study. You should provide the mailing address of the program to your referees so they can mail the letter to the program. The program can upload it to your digital portfolio.
Question: Can I have more than three letters of reference submitted on my behalf?
Answer: Any questions regarding the letters of reference should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: I choose to waive my right of access to any reference information but want to change this. What do I need to do?
Answer: Please contact the Graduate School’s technical support team by choosing "Technical Help" from the Request Help menu at the top.
Question: Can I resend the e-mail request for a letter of reference to one of my referees who did not receive the original request?
Answer: Yes, you may resend a request to the referee by selecting the “Check Application Status” feature on the Graduate School Portal and selecting the “Send Reminder” link.
Question: I need to change my references e-mail address or resend an e-mail notification.
Answer: To update your referee contact information or to send a reminder e-mail to your referees, follow these steps: 1. Go to the Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal (http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/). 2. Select “Check Application Status”. 3. Log in. 4. To change your referee contact information: At the bottom of the “Current Status” page, select “Update Reference” for the referee you need to edit. Clicking this link will open a new window where you will be able to make the necessary changes to your referee contact information. Click on “Save reference” button at the bottom of the page. 5. To send an e-mail to your referees to alert them of your request for a reference: Select “Send Reminder” at the bottom of the ‘Current Status’ page. This will send an automated e-mail to that referee.
Question: I have lost the Penn State e-mail instructions for submitting a reference letter.
Answer: The Reference Submission Portal does provide a password feature: "I forgot my password". Please go to https://secure.gradsch.psu.edu/gradappref/ Select the "I forgot my password" link, then enter your email address and the applicant's name. A new set of credentials will be generated and emailed to you.
Question: Is it mandatory to send the financial form along with the application?
Answer: You will need to contact your intended program of study. Each program is responsible for determining financial aid availability and eligibility.
Question: I have used Microsoft Word to create my Statement of Purpose and Resume but cannot upload these forms? I receive an error message.
Answer: Documents created with Microsoft Word are problematic when uploaded into the Graduate School’s digital portfolio system. We recommend using a different utility (such as textedit) to save your documents in a different format such as RTF or TXT. At this time, you may not save a Word document as PDF.
Question: Where do I send my supplemental materials?
Answer: Any questions regarding your supplemental materials should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: I cannot upload my documents to the application.
Answer: If you used Microsoft Word to create your document, please try copying your text into notepad and saving the files in notepad for upload to the application.
Question: How can I send reference reminder e-mails? How can I see if a recommendation was submitted?
Answer: If your program is using the Graduate School online reference portal, you can log into the status application (https://secure.gradsch.psu.edu/status). In order to logon you will need...
- Your PSU ID
- Your date of birth
- Gender
- PIN number (4 digit number that you set up during the application)
Question: How do I correct/change information on my submitted application?
Answer: Once your application has been submitted, you cannot change any information on your application. Please do NOT submit a new application. You should contact the program to which you are applying to let them know of any changes. You can find contact information for each program here. If you need to update a reference e-mail address (AND your program uses the Graduate School online reference portal), you can log into the status application (https://secure.gradsch.psu.edu/status) and make reference updates. You will also be able to send reference reminder e-mails from the status application.
Question: When I click 'Log in to the Application using your User ID (Digital Identity) and password', nothing happens.
Answer: To access our online Application for Admission, you need to disable your pop-up blocker or add an exception for Penn State. For Firefox, complete the following steps:
- From the Tools menu, select Options.
- Click on the Content tab of the Options box.
- Where Block pop-up windows is present, either uncheck the check-box or click Exceptions to add an exception for Penn State.
- In the Address of web site: text box, enter (exactly as shown) *.psu.edu and click the allow button.
- Click on close, and then ok.
- You'll then need to close Firefox completely, re-open your browser and return to www.gradsch.psu.edu/portal for this change to take effect.
- From the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
- Click on the Privacy tab of the Internet Options box.
- Where 'Turn on Pop-up Blocker' is present, either uncheck the check-box or click Settings to add an exception for Penn State.
- In the Address of web site to allow: text box, enter (exactly as shown) *.psu.edu and click the add button.
- Click on close, and then ok.
- You'll then need to close Internet Explorer completely, re-open your browser and return to www.gradsch.psu.edu/portal for this change to take effect.
Question: I have forgotten my FPS user name and/or password.
Answer: You may fix both of these cases yourself at the Friends of Penn State website. If you have forgotten your user name, go here: https://fps.psu.edu/finduser/ If you have forgotten your password, go here: https://fps.psu.edu/pwreset/
Question: I cannot log-in to the online application for admission.
Answer: There are a number of factors that could restrict your ability to log-in. Please use the solutions below to resolve your issue.
- An incorrect or broken password is the most common problem when attempting to log-in to Penn States Web Access Log-In System. Be sure you are entering your username and password exactly as they have been presented to you. If you're using an FPS account and have forgotten your information, see the following. If you have forgotten your user name, go here: https://fps.psu.edu/finduser/ If you have forgotten your password, go here: https://fps.psu.edu/pwreset/ If your password is being rejected at log-in, we strongly suggest you use the above link to change it to something else.
- Also, be sure you have the most current version of your favorite browser. Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/Internet-explorer/default.aspx
- Make sure your browser is not blocking pop-ups or cookies for Penn State websites. To enable cookies, see this documentation: Internet Explorer: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196955 Firefox: http://www.ehow.com/how_2033398_enable-cookies-firefox.html
- Your browser may cache pages that are broken, inaccessible or old. If you have difficulties with a particular page, try clearing your browser cache, restarting your browser and trying that page again.
- Lastly, if none of the above steps have assisted you, we suggest you try an alternative browser and/or alternative computer to reduce the possibility of a local problem.
Question: I didn't copy my application form before I submit it and I cannot find the right place to copy it now.
Answer: If you return to https://secure.gradsch.psu.edu/cosign/gradapp/ and press the View link under your application, you should be able to print that version.
Question: I was a student at PSU, but I cannot remember the password to my access id. Should I try to use my access id to create a graduate application?
Answer: Your Access Id has probably been deactivated or will be shortly, so you should click the "Create An Account" button in order to establish a Friends of Penn State account. While you are filling out your application, one of the sections is the Biographical Info page. On that page, you should enter your PSU ID if you know it. Your PSU ID is the 9 digit number starting with 9. Good luck with your application.
Question: Where should I send my test scores?
Answer: All test scores should be sent to your intended program of study. The institution code for Penn State is 2660.
Question: I have questions about test scores. Who do I ask?
Answer: All questions regarding test scores should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: How long does it take for my test scores to be received at the Graduate School?
Answer: This varies depending on the test type (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, TSE, MAT, LSAT). Please refer to the testing agency’s Web site to find out when your scores will be/were reported. It can take up to a month for your scores to be received at Penn State.
Question: I plan on taking my test after submitting the application. What do I enter on my application in the “GPA & Test Scores” section?
Answer: Leave that test section blank and enter a statement in the comment section of the application stating which test you will be taking and when you plan to take it.
Question: Do I need to take the GRE?
Answer: All questions regarding the GRE should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
Answer: Penn State’s English proficiency requirements can be found on our Web site at http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html. Some programs have higher requirements. Please refer to your intended program of study for additional information. Questions regarding TOEFL or IELTS scores should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: Does Penn State accept other school's institutional TOEFL results?
Answer: No. Only Penn State’s institutional TOEFL is acceptable.
Question: I have questions about test scores. Who do I ask?
Answer: All questions regarding test scores should be directed to your intended program of study.
Question: The graduate school application requires I give "subscores", and when I try to continue without filling out subscores, it wont let me continue.
Answer: GRE test scores include at least one subscore that you must provide if you are going to submit your scores in the application for admission.
Question: Do I need to send two transcripts/records from all institutions that I have attended?
Answer: Yes, you must send two official transcripts/records from all institutions you have attended to your intended program of study.
Question: To what address should my transcripts be mailed?
Answer: Transcripts should be mailed to your intended program of study (please refer to their Web site for the mailing address. Please note: If you are applying to a graduate program at Harrisburg, Great Valley, Behrend or Hershey, you will need to follow the instructions provided on their admissions page.
Question: I am not an international applicant, but I did study at an institution outside the U.S. My records are not available in the same way that you have described as "official". What can I do?
Answer: Your international records will be considered complete and official if:
- each document is an original or a copy that is originally certified by the issuing institution;
- it is a comprehensive record of all study completed, in the form of a transcript or yearly marksheets;
- it includes all degree certificates conferred;
- each document is submitted with an officially certified English translation.
Question: May I upload a copy of my transcript instead of mailing it?
Answer: No. You must send two official transcripts/records to your intended program of study.
Question: I applied for admission last year and wasn’t accepted and would like to apply again. Do you still have my transcripts?
Answer:
- If you are applying for the same program, please contact your intended program of study to see if they retained your transcripts/records. If you are applying to a different program, you will need to submit new transcripts/records.
- You may also want to submit an updated transcript/record showing grades for recently completed classes.
Question: How do I know if my transcripts have been received?
Answer: You will need to contact your intended program of study.