• Two official transcripts (only one official transcript is required for programs at Rutgers - Camden)
  
• Three letters of recommendation
  
• A personal statement (not necessary if submitted online)
  
• All required test scores (International students should send copies of test score results with other supporting credentials.)
• A brief résumé   E-Credential
  
• A writing sample (only required for some programs)   E-Credential
  
  • English PHD applicants must mail a paper copy of their writing sample.
    
  • History PHD applicants must mail a paper copy of their writing sample AND upload it.
• Financial documentation (for international applicants) (Required when admission is offered.)
• Other materials required by your specific program.

Letters of recommendation: If applying online, letters of recommendation may be electronically requested. Most schools require three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from faculty members in the program field, but may also be written by others familiar with your strengths. Letters should be submitted in sealed envelopes to the applicant for inclusion with other supporting materials. Send to the appropriate admissions office. Rutgers Business School: Graduate Programs–Newark and New Brunswick requires two recommendations from employers. Recommenders must be informed of the right to access being waived (Public Law 93-380, Educational Amendments Act of 1972). Otherwise, enrolled students have the right to inspect letters of recommendation. Rutgers offers an optional recommendation form [PDF] for your convenience.

Official transcripts: Two sets of official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (including Rutgers) are required. For Rutgers Business School: Graduate Programs–Newark and New Brunswick, only one set of transcripts is required. Educational records in any language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The registrar of each institution should mail transcripts to applicants in separate, sealed envelopes (preferred) or directly to graduate admissions. Copies of transcripts are acceptable for initial review but must be authenticated with official documents if admission is offered. Rutgers students applying online will be presented with the option of having transcripts sent to the Admissions office. In order to release the transcript, students must say "yes" when the dialogue prompt is presented.

Personal statement: If applying online, a personal statement may be electronically transmitted. Most programs (exceptions are listed below) require a personal statement of approximately 500 words about plans for graduate study and a professional career. Include areas of study, research, or practice that are of special interest. Exceptions include:

• Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (Psy.D). Explain the career choice of professional psychology and indicate why clinical, organizational, or school psychology has been chosen. Limit the essay to four double-spaced pages. Full-time applicants should indicate plans for supporting themselves. Part-time applicants should describe work-release plans that would enable them to spend two days per week at the school. List specific courses suggested as prerequisites that have been completed. Provide school name, course titles, date, undergraduate or graduate level, and grades received. Advanced-level applicants should list courses taken that cover the material offered in the school's first-year curriculum.
• Rutgers Business School: Graduate Programs–Newark and New Brunswick (M.Accy., M.B.A.). Submit an essay describing one of the following: An ethical dilemma faced and how it was resolved; or a learning experience from a time as a member of a team whose project was not completed successfully; or identify three accomplishments in your professional career and explain how they demonstrate your potential to become a successful manager. The essay should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than two pages.
• Rutgers Business School: Graduate Programs–Camden.Submit an essay describing your professional career past and present, concluding with how an MBA degree ties into your goals and/or plans for the future; or identify three accomplishments in your professional career and explain how they demonstrate your potential to become a successful manager.  The essay should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than two pages.
• School of Social Work (M.S.W.). Respond to the following questions in a three- to five-page typed narrative; add any additional information that may be helpful to the admissions committee. For the Ph.D. program, follow the general instructions for the statement: What are your reasons for applying to Rutgers' School of Social Work? Discuss your personal values, philosophy, knowledge of social issues, and the professional and community experiences that have influenced your decision to enter the profession. Comment on your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Describe your reasons for choosing a particular focus in the field of social work. Discuss your plans for a career in social work. Honor Statement required for admission, see link under Forms Library. Honor Statement [PDF] for your convenience.

• GRE/GMAT. All programs—with the exception of those in jazz history and research, liberal studies, Mason Gross School of the Arts, and School of Social Work—require scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Many programs also require a GRE Subject Test. Refer to the index of graduate programs. GRE and GMAT scores have an age limit of five years.
• TOEFL/IELTS. An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score is required of nonnative speakers of English. The minimum TOEFL score is 213 (computer version) and 550 (paper version). The new TOEFL internet version minimum scores are as follows: Writing: 22, Speaking: 23, Reading: 21, and Listening: 17. The completion of a master's degree in the United States is not grounds for waiving test results. A Band 7 or higher score is required for the IELTS. Some programs may have higher standards. The TOEFL or IELTS score may be no more than two years old.
• English proficiency. Students admitted with English language deficiencies are tested upon arrival on campus and may be required to take English courses through the English as a Second Language Program.

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Brief résumé: Send a brief résumé, if work experience is relevant to the application.

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Financial documentation: International applicants recommended for admission by academic programs must document total financial resources before an official Certificate of Admission and Eligibility (I-20 and DS-2019) can be issued by graduate admissions. Amounts vary by school. Refer to the index of graduate programs. If recommended for admission, first-year funds for educational and living expenses must be documented (figures are updated each July). M.B.A. programs require higher amounts. Funding for subsequent years must be projected and their source(s) identified. Certificates of Admission and Eligibility (I-20 and DS-2019) are provided with the notification of admission. Single students awarded assistantships and fellowships by Rutgers generally satisfy the financial certification requirements for admission. Admitted international students must submit a completed financial documentation form.

These documents are not required until after admission is offered.

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Materials specified by the program: A writing sample, translation, subject test, or portfolio may be required with an application. A number of programs request an interview, and an audition/portfolio/interview is required in the performing arts and visual arts. Refer to the index of graduate programs.

For test administrations of the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and SUBJECT tests, contact the Educational Testing Service, 609/771-7670. For IELTS application information, call 626/355-0650.

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