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Quick Reference & Checklist - Graduate Admissions

Quick Reference & Checklist - Graduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions Quick Reference & Checklist (2026)

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Graduate Admissions Quick Reference Guide - 2026

Admissions Timeline

The admissions timeline varies among departments. Applicants are encouraged to contact departments directly for specific deadlines. However, there are general deadlines and processing periods common to most departments and programs. Below is a general timeline for processing based on admission to fall quarter.

SEPT 1

Online application opens (all processing for the previous application cycle closes before this date).

NOV - MAY

Departmental application deadlines.

JANUARY

Fellowship nominees are finalized by the department and due to the Graduate Division.

APRIL 15

Student response deadline for financial support offers; Students must also submit an SIR.

MAY 1

Final deadline for submitting admissions decision to the Graduate Division for departments with an application deadline before May 1.

MID-MAY

Housing deadline. Admitted students are encouraged to apply early for campus housing.

JUNE 1

Final deadline for submitting admissions decisions to the Graduate Division for departments with an application deadline of May 1 or later.

JUNE 15

Final SIR deadline for all admitted applicants.

For more detailed information, view the https://ucsb-atlas.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GUM/pages/18661048528 section of the Admissions Manual.

Final Admission Decisions

Graduate Division Admissions assigns a final admit decision on behalf of the Dean of the Graduate Division. Final admissions decisions and pending requirements will be entered into the Admissions database.

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

COMMENTS

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

COMMENTS

Provisional Admission

Final/official items required

Students may have registration blocks added if requirements are not met

Unconditional Admission

No items required

Student may register for classes with no restrictions

Incomplete*

Application incomplete

Application was not reviewed because it was incomplete

Denied*

Application denied

 

Applicants left in the Incomplete and Deny Queues will not receive a final decision notification. The department user with signatory authority must approve the decision in order for the final decision to be released by the Graduate Division.

Application Notification

The Graduate Division sends official decision notification emails to ALL applicants.

Items departments can provide as admit notification:

  • Admissions recommendation letter and/or funding letter.

DO NOT send if the applicant requires an exception or if the application is incomplete.

For all applicants who do not enroll at UCSB, applicant information must be retained for 2 years.

Items available through the Application Status Page (eApp) once an applicant has been admitted by Grad Div:

  • Admissions offer letter (can be printed from the online application, if needed)

  • Statement of Intent to Register (SIR): must be completed online via eApp

  • Statement of Legal Residence (SLR): may be completed 5-10 business days after the SIR is completed

  • Housing, immunization, and health insurance information (students are advised to apply early for housing)

For more detailed information, view the https://ucsb-atlas.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GUM/pages/18661212399 section of the Admissions Manual.

Online Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)

The SIR confirms the acceptance or rejection of an admissions offer.

  • Must be completed online via eApp. Notification to the department is not an official SIR.

  • Financial support offers must be accepted by April 15. Students who accept financial offers must also SIR.

  • Final SIR deadline is June 15. Applicants who wish to SIR Yes after June 15 require an exception.

Registration Materials

  • An automated email is sent by the Office of the Registrar to students (via the email address on file with their applications, typically in late June) who have indicated their intention to enroll via their SIR submissions.

  • The email provides students with basic instructions on how to register online through the Registrar’s website and a link to the Welcome New Students page. Departments may wish to provide students with additional advising.

For more detailed information, view the https://ucsb-atlas.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GUM/pages/18661245179 section of the Admissions Manual.

Graduate Admissions Processing Checklist - 2026

Education History

GPA is calculated on correct scale, confirmed, and above a B average (US 3.0) or equivalent
Undergraduate degree is equivalent to US bachelor’s and will be complete before term of admission
Accreditation of undergraduate degree-granting institution is confirmed
Language of instruction is confirmed
Transcript is complete, legible, and the school name matches that reported in eApp

Documents

Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement (250 words or more; essay format)
Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Recommendations

Three Letters of Recommendation

Exam Scores

GRE (if required)
Official (valid for 5 years after the testing date; no minimum score required)
TOEFL or IELTS or DET (non-native English speakers only) OR applicant qualifies for an exemption based on degree from verified English-only institution
Official (valid for 2 years)
Meets minimum score (TOEFL - 80 or 4, IELTS - 7, DET - 120)

Distribution of Application Materials

Application Materials Sent to the Graduate Division:

  • $135/$155 non-refundable application fee payment (via the Payment tab in eApp)

  • Official GRE scores (sent electronically from ETS) - if required

  • Official TOEFL (sent from ETS) or IELTS (sent electronically or mailed from IELTS) or DET scores (sent from Duolingo) - if required

Application Materials Uploaded through eApp:

  • Statement of Purpose

  • Personal History Statement

  • Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Applicant-supplied (unofficial) copy of transcripts

  • Additional materials (as required by department)

Completing an International Transcript Evaluation

Confirm whether the applicant qualifies for an exemption from the TOEFL/IELTS/DET requirement or not. Confirm with Grad Div Admissions staff is unclear.
Verify that official TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores have been received and that the total scores meet or exceed minimum standards. Evaluations should not be completed for applicants with missing scores.
Verify university accreditation and language of instruction using the WHED. Confirm with Grad Div Admissions staff if unclear.
Calculate and interpret the GPA using the appropriate international scale and the applicant’s uploaded transcript. Consult the International Application Review & Country Guide.
List GPA and scale in appropriate fields in App Review. Confirm accuracy of accreditation, GPA, and GPA scale.

Exception Requests

  • Exceptions are required for (but not limited to):

    • admits with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 (or equivalent),

    • low TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores

    • certain TOEFL/IELTS/DET exemptions

    • non-equivalent degrees

    • degrees from unaccredited institutions

    • late applications, late admission decisions, and/or late SIRs

  • Late application exceptions, reversals of formal deny decisions, and, in some cases, late SIR exceptions, will need to be submitted via Docusign; all others are required to be submitted through App Review.

  • To submit an exception request through App Review, move the student to the exceptions queue, select the appropriate exception, and type the justification into the text box. Deferral requests must be submitted via the Deferrals page in App Review.

  • The department user with signature authority (Department/Admissions Chair, Faculty Grad Advisor) must approve the decision.

  • Exception requests for the preceding admissions cycle are not accepted after the new application cycle has begun (on or near Sep 1).