Frequently Asked Questions

(Q) How do I find out the status of my application with the Graduate School?
(A) Applicants are sent e-mails weekly with a progress update of their application. If you do not receive an e-mail within two weeks from your application, please contact the Graduate School at gradadm@slu.edu

(Q) How do I qualify for an assistantship to help pay for my Graduate Education?
(A) Please note there are no additional forms you need to fill out to be considered for an assistantship. All assistantships are awarded by individual departments, and not through the Graduate School. Please contact the department you are applying to for more information about available assistantships.

(Q) How can I be considered for a Graduate Fellowship?
(A) Fellowships are awarded to a newly accepted Master’s or Doctoral level students who demonstrate outstanding scholastic achievement and potential for success in The Graduate School. Applicants are nominated by their departments and final decisions are made by the Dean of the Graduate School. Please contact your department regarding fellowship nominations.

(Q) Do I need to send my TOEFL scores? (international students only)
(A) All international students are required to take the TOEFL to be considered for admission. You may send IELTS scores in place of TOEFL scores. If you have attended an American University, the TOEFL score requirement may be waived.

(Q) Can I apply to the Graduate School with unofficial copies of University transcripts or GRE scores?
(A) No. Your application will not be processed until OFFICIAL copies of all documents are received. Photocopies and faxes will not be accepted. If you have an exceptional or extraordinary circumstance, please communicate this to the admissions staff at the Graduate School.

(Q) Is it okay to send supporting documents, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts, to the Graduate School separate from my application?
(A) Although we encourage self-managed applications with all documents sent together, we will accept documents sent separately. Self-managed applications will be processed faster.

(Q) If I received my undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University, do I still need to send these transcripts to the Graduate School?
(A) Yes. You will need to contact the registrar at (314) 977-1200 to request transcripts to be sent.

(Q) Do I need to send transcripts from every college I have previously attended?
(A) No, only colleges and universities from which a degree was awarded need to be sent with your application to the Graduate School. You may, however, wish to include all transcripts which indicate relevant coursework to your degree program of interest.

(Q) Can I apply to more than one program in the Graduate School?
(A) No. You may only apply to one program per semester. The only exception is for the Graduate School dual-degree programs.

(Q) Who do I contact with questions about my VISA?
(A) Please contact Cathy Donahue in the Office of International Services with questions regarding your VISA.

(Q) How do I schedule a campus tour?
(A) Tours of the campus are arranged through Undergraduate Admissions. They can be contacted at (314) 977-2500. To meet faculty and for a tour of your department, please contact the department directly.

(Q) What are the minimum scores for the GRE to be considered for admission to the Graduate School?
(A) Please note that each department has different requirements for the GRE General and Subject examinations. Please contact your department of interest for further information regarding score requirements.

(Q) What are the minimum scores for the TOEFL to be considered for admission to the Graduate School?
(A) You must obtain a score of 550 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL and a TWE score of at least 4.0 OR a score of 213 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL and a TWE score of at least 4.0. Alternatively, you can obtain a score of 80 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL and TWE score of a least 4.0. In place of TOEFL scores, you may also submit a Cambridge IELTS with an overall band score of 6.0 or higher.