Graduate Admissions - FAQs

• Are programs still accepting applications?

  We encourage applicants to reach out to the individual graduate programs to check prior to submitting your online application for the term selected. It is free to start and save your application. The application fee is non-refundable once submitted.

• Do I need to submit official hard copies of transcripts and degree certificates for the graduate program to review my application?

  No. We highly encourage applicants to provide unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates, if degree is awarded and not posted on transcript. Scans can be uploaded to the Additional Info section of our Statement of Purpose and Personal History section of our online application.

• What type of unofficial transcripts do you accept?

  We will accept scanned copies of open official transcripts in your possession or copies of unofficial transcripts accessed from your online student portal. As we require certain information on these documents, please review our Unofficial Academic Records handout for guidelines on required information.

• What if I can’t meet the required application requirements?

  If you can’t provide the required application requirements, please contact the graduate program you are interested in to see what accommodations can be made. Programs may be able to provide flexibility on exam requirements (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS). For applicants who have challenges in obtaining transcripts or proof of degrees (already awarded), we recommend you review the previous question regarding providing unofficial transcripts. If you still can’t provide unofficial copies, please contact the graduate program and they will work with our office to see if an accommodation can be made.

• I haven’t received a decision on my application, who do I contact?

  You will need to contact the graduate program you applied to. If the program has forwarded a decision, our office will process it and you will be notified by email of that decision.

• Can my deadline be extended to give me more time to decide?

  You will need to check with the graduate program you were admitted to. If the program approves, they will notify our office and we will extend the deadline to the approved date. A confirmation email of the new deadline will be sent by our online application system.

• My deadline has passed, can I still request a deadline extension?

    Yes, but the graduate program that admitted you will need to approve the extension. The above question has further instructions on next steps.

• Can I defer my admission to another quarter?

  It is an option for admitted students that requires approval from your graduate program. The deferment request form will open June 1, 2021 at 8:00 AM (PST). The deadline to submit a deferment request for those admitted to Fall 2021 is 11:59 PM (PST) on August 9, 2021. If your graduate program has not already reached out to you about the possibility of deferring admission, we encourage you to reach out before submitting a request form.

• If my program approves my deferment request, what happens next?

  They will notify the Graduate Admissions office and we will begin the process of moving your application to the new quarter. If you require an I-20 form to attend, we will notify our International Students and Scholars office to defer your I-20 to that new quarter as well.

• Is your office still receiving mail?

  Mail Services is still receiving mail for the campus. Our office is picking up mail and processing it weekly.  Visit our Transcripts for Admitted Students page for more details on acceptable delivery methods. DO NOT send transcripts if you are applying for admission. 

  Documents sent directly to the graduate program will not be processed until our office receives the official hard copy.

• Do you accept electronic transcripts?

  Yes. Our office is working remotely, so we encourage all new students who attended institutions that offer electronic transcripts to provide them through this method. All electronic transcripts sent to clear registration holds on your student account should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions office. Visit our Transcripts for Admitted Students page for more details on acceptable delivery methods. DO NOT send transcripts if you are applying for admission. 

  Our office will process these an update your registration hold. If all required documents are received, an email confirming your file is complete will be sent. Inquiries on documents received should be sent to grdadmis@ucr.edu.

• What if I can’t get transcripts since my institutions are currently closed?

  If your institution is closed and does not offer the ability to request official hard copy transcripts or electronic transcripts online, contact the Graduate Admissions office.

• What if my final Admission Letter requests official documents that I already provided?

  Contact our office and hold off on sending new documents until our office can confirm what we have received or the graduate program can provide us with what they received in your application materials.

• Is there a deadline to submit my Grad I-20 form which includes uploading proof of support?

  There is not a set deadline, but we do encourage you to submit to allow enough time for your I-20 to be prepared and allow yourself enough time for visa processing. USCIS recommends a minimum of 3-months for visa processing.

• How will my I-20 form be sent to me?

    Currently, the International Students and Scholars (ISS) is sending I-20 forms electronically to students.

• How can I get in touch with the International Students and Scholars Office if I have I-20 questions?

  The International Students and Scholars Office is closed due to the campus closure. If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to Jessi Forrest.