How to Apply

The University at Buffalo requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. (The average undergraduate GPA for accepted applicants is 3.66.)

• PhD: The priority deadline for fall admission is the first Friday in January. Applications will be reviewed intermittently after the priority deadline and admissions decisions made on a rolling basis.
• MA: None. Completed applications will be reviewed and admissions decisions made on a rolling basis. However, the deadline for applying for the first review session is the first Friday in February.

Please note: All applicants wishing to be considered for financial assistance are encouraged to submit a completed application as early as possible.

Use the link below to begin or access your application. You will be redirected to create an account and start an application. Returning users can use this link to log in to their existing application(s).

The following supporting materials must be included as part of the online application. Please read the instructions on the online application for further details. Your application will not be considered complete and will not be reviewed until you have submitted:  

• GRE Scores are not required. If requesting an official electronic score report from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Use Institution Code: 2925. Official electronic scores will be automatically linked to your online application.* 
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts. Upload scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, including the English translation, if applicable. Official transcripts from each college or university attended will be due upon admission.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation. Request letters from three people who know your academic work or employment background. We suggest that you contact instructors or employers who know and will describe your unique qualities, especially relevant research experience and skills. These letters must be submitted electronically. Further instructions are included in the online application. 
• 1-2 Page Personal Statement
• 10-15 Page Academic Writing Sample
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume

*If your other application materials are deemed strong enough to warrant admission, the Admissions Committee may waive the GRE requirement at its sole discretion if you make a case for it.

After an application has been submitted for formal review, applicants can view their application along with their supporting documents online by logging back into their application. For questions regarding how to access your online application, please visit the Graduate School.

UB requires international applicants to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam. In addition to the above application materials, international applicants must also submit the following: 

• TOEFL Scores. Request an official copy from ETS and use Institution Code: 2925. Official electronic scores will be automatically linked to your online application. 
• Passport Bio-Page.
• International Applicant Financial Form (IAFF) 
• Financial Documentation (Per the IAFF instructions). 

In order to be eligible for the Schomburg Fellowship, you need to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. 

If you would like to be considered for a Schomburg Fellowship, please upload a written statement to your online application (maximum of 500 words) describing how you will contribute to the diversity of the student body in your graduate or professional degree program, including by having overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.

Please note that such categorical circumstances may include academic, vocational, social, physical or economic impediments or disadvantaged status that students, as evidenced by their performance as undergraduates, have been able to overcome, or other characteristics that constitute categorical underrepresentation in their particular graduate program such as gender or racial/ethnic status.

The graduate application fee is $75 U.S. (payable online via ePay or by check or money order made payable to the University at Buffalo). After you formally submit your application, you will be prompted to submit your payment through the online application system. Currently, UB accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies with any questions about the application process.