FAQs

Questions About Applying for Admission

Q. What is the application fee?
A. The application fee for all graduate applicants is $50 payable in US funds and should be included with your application submission. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted. Payment by electronic check or bank debit card is also accepted. All payments should be made to Wayne State University and should include the name of the applicant in the memo section, where applicable. The application fee is nonrefundable, is subject to change and is valid for four consecutive academic terms.

Q. I want to apply to two different programs. Do I have to pay two application fees?
A. No. Only one application fee is required.

Q. I have an open application, but would like to defer it for a different semester. Is that possible?
A. Because applications are specific to the initial program and term selected, you must submit a new application reflecting the program and term for which you currently would like to be considered. Any previously submitted documents will be transferred to your new application. Your application fee covers four consecutive terms, so you won’t have to pay it again if you are within that window.

Q. I submitted an application. How do I login to check my status or add documents to my application?
A. Your online Application Status Page will display where you are in the application process. On this page, you may submit required documents, answer questions and view the information you need to know about your application and admission decision.

Q. I am an alumnus of Wayne State University and a member of the Alumni Association. Do I get a discount on the application fee?
A. Yes. The application fee can be waived for WSU Alumni Association members upon proof of membership. Check the appropriate box on the application and be sure to include a copy of your valid Alumni Association membership card with your supporting application materials. You must be an active member of the Alumni Association at the time you submit your graduate application for admission and provide proof of valid membership at the time you apply. No application fees paid prior to submission of valid proof of Alumni Association membership will be refunded.

Q. I applied last semester but was not accepted. Will I have to pay the application fee again to reapply?
A. Your application fee is valid for four consecutive semesters. For example, if you applied in fall 2012, your application fee will be good through fall 2013.

Q. I am not a U.S. citizen but live in the United States. What additional information do I need to provide?
A. Non-U.S. citizens should provide a copy of their visa or permanent resident card. If you are in the process of changing your status, also include copies of the applicable paperwork.

Q. I currently have an H-4 visa. Do I have to provide the financial documents (i.e. bank statement and financial statement of support)?
A. No. Only applicants who wish to have a student visa (F-1) issued need to provide financial documents. F-2 visa holders should be aware that it can take between four and six months for the change in visa status.

Q. Do I need to submit anything other than the application, the application fee and transcripts?
A. Many departments have additional requirements beyond those of the Office of Graduate Admissions, such as GRE, letters of recommendation and statement of purpose. You should visit the academic program’s website and communicate with if you have any questions regarding their requirements. These requirements will be listed on the graduate application for admission and you can submit any required materials through the application.

Q. I want to apply for financial aid, a scholarship, or a graduate teaching/research assistantship. Should I send my application to the Office of Graduate Admissions?
A. No. Any applications for support should be submitted to the program to which you are applying, or, if indicated, the department listed on the form. Submitting these requests to the Office of Graduate Admissions can cause a costly delay.

Questions About English Proficiency Requirements

Q. I have lived in the United States for the last 10 years, but all of my previous education was in a country where English is not the native language. Do I still have to take the TOEFL?
A. Yes. Because your education was completed in a country where English is not the native language, you are still required to provide proof of English proficiency. The TOEFL is the most frequently used standardized indicator of English proficiency in higher education. For further information on registering for the test, visit www.TOEFL.org.

Q. What countries are exempt from taking the TOEFL?
A. If you completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an institution in the following countries, you do not have to take the TOEFL: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Greenland, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Q. I took the TOEFL five years ago. Do I have to take it again?
A. Yes. To be valid, the TOEFL must be no more than two years old upon application date. Scores which are older than two years cannot be reported by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Q. What is the Wayne State University Institution score for test reporting?
A. Please report your score to Wayne State University using Institution code 1898.

Questions About Transcripts

Q. I've read that I need to submit official transcripts. What types of transcripts are official?
A. Official transcripts are those issued directly by your previous institution. They usually include a school imprint, seal, or original signature and stamp of the registrar or senior school official. For schools in the U.S. and Canada the transcripts cannot be transmitted via the applicant. They must be sent by the institution to Wayne State University and cannot read "issued to student."

Q. I only took one course from a community college and it shows up on my university transcript. Can I just have my university transcript sent to Wayne State?
A. Although the university requires only the bachelor’s degree transcript for an admission decision, some academic programs require transcripts from all post-secondary schools (colleges and universities) you have ever attended. Be sure to check with your academic program if you have any questions regarding requirementst.

Q. I haven't graduated with my bachelor's degree yet. Do I have to wait until my degree is posted to apply to graduate school?
A. No. You do not have to wait until you have the bachelor's degree in hand to apply. Simply have your institution submit a transcript containing the most current record to support your application. Once your degree is posted, you must have an official final transcript with degree statement (name of degree and date granted) sent to Wayne State. You should not, however, apply for a graduate school term which begins before you expect to receive your bachelor's degree. You will be required to provide proof of bachelor's degree during your first term of graduate enrollment. Failure to do so could result in discontinuation of enrollment.

Q. I live in Michigan but completed my degree in a country overseas. I only have my original transcript and degree certificate. Do I have to submit them?
A. Bring your original documents and a photocopy to the Office of Graduate Admissions and an admissions counselor will review them and attest that the copy is true. These attested copies may be used in place of the originals. Copies of foreign transcripts, etc. attested by public notaries will not be accepted in place of the originals.

Q. I have had my transcripts evaluated by WES, ECE, or another credentials evaluation service. Do I still have to submit my official transcripts?
A. Yes. These evaluations can be used as an English translation of applicant transcripts, but do not replace the official transcripts. Please be sure to include native language versions of all transcripts and degree statements.

Q. My transcripts are written in a language other than English. What should I do?
A. Most foreign institutions provide copies of your transcripts and degree certificates in the English language as well as your native language. In some cases, you may have to ask specifically for them, and in certain cases, you might also have to pay an additional fee for this service. It is important that you submit native language and English language versions to Wayne State.

Q. I sent my international transcripts but heard that I also need a degree certificate. Why?
A. If your degree is not posted (name of degree and date granted) on the transcript, you will need to provide official documentation of your degree certificate or diploma. You may want to specifically ask the issuing institution to confirm to you that your degree statement has been posted on your most recent transcript before having it issued. If not, you will need to provide an official degree certificate. Provisional certificates are acceptable for international applicants.

Questions About the Post-Admissions Process

Q. How can I find my Access ID and Student ID?
A.You will receive an email with your admissions letter. This letter has important information about registration, including your Access ID and Student ID. Your ID's can also be found in the upper right hand corner of you Application Status page.

Q. How do I check the status of my I-20?
A. International students may check the status of their I-20 with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). Please note, OISS oversees all of the I-20 process. Any questions should be directed to OISS.