(for International Applicants)

1. Read helpful hints and other information about applying to the Graduate School!
2. Complete and mail the Visa Questionnaire. Students in the United States should also complete and mail the transfer form for international students.
3. Complete International Online Application Form.
4. After your online submission of the Electronic Form, you will be instructed to submit your credit card information online or mail the completed Application Fee Form (.PDF version) along with your check or money order (drawn on US banks) to pay the non-refundable/non-waiveable application fee of U.S. $30.00 (U.S. $35.00 for paper applications). The check or money order must be made payable to The University of Alabama. If you elect to use printed application materials, mail your application fee to the Graduate School with your other materials. The application process will not begin until your fee is received.
5. Complete International Online Statement of Purpose Form.
6. Application forms and Statement of Purpose forms should be submitted online, using the instructions available on the web. Do NOT mail a print version if you have completed the online submission.
7. Applicants must submit three (3) Letters of Recommendation directly to the applicant’s intended department from (3) separate recommenders. At least one (1) letter must be from a professor in your undergraduate major or in your proposed field of graduate study if you have taken any courses in either area within the last five (5) years. The three Letters of Recommendation may be included in your self-managed package. However, each letter should be sealed with the recommender’s signature written across the back seal. The Letters of Recommendation are to be returned to the Graduate Department being applied to, and NOT to the Graduate School. Applicant should request that the recommender type the applicant’s name on the outside of the envelope.
   See instructions for information about preparing and submitting a Letter of Recommendation.
8. Request two (2) official (certified) transcripts and diploma(s), (where appropriate) from each institution of higher education attended (including The University of Alabama) be sent directly to the Graduate School. If an undergraduate degree program is incomplete, the transcript sent must show at least 91 semester hours (145 quarter hours) or a minimum of six completed semesters of work before the application can be considered for admission. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
9. Request official test scores, as required by department (refer to departmental section of Graduate Catalog for acceptable examinations), be sent from test services (ETS:GRE, PearsonVue:GMAT) to the Graduate School.
10. An applicant whose first language is not English must submit an official score report for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Testing System (IELTS), or the iBT (internet based). The minimum score required for the TOEFL is 550 on the paper based test or 213 on the computer based test, and should be no more than two years old at the time of enrollment. The minimum score for the IELTS is 6.5. The minimum score for the iBT is 79-80. Official score results must be reported to the Graduate School from the testing service.
11. See Financial Admission Requirements. The Department may review your file without financial documents; however, an admission will not be finalized until proof of financial support is received and approved. All applicants who are dependent on university assistantships for financial support should contact their departments for award possibilities.
12. Read Instructions for Completion of the Certification of Finances form and Supporting Documents and complete the Certification of Finances form. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. See guidelines here.
13. Some departments require additional application materials. See the Graduate Catalog or consult with the department or program to which you have applied and inquire about additional application requirements and departmental financial assistance forms.
14. Assistantships, Fellowships, and Financial Aid: Many types of financial support are available, including Graduate Council Fellowships, Graduate Council Research Fellowships, departmental teaching assistantships, and departmental research assistantships. Please contact the department in which you are interested to obtain information and application procedures for assistantships and fellowships. Applicants who are admitted and receive departmental assistantships may be required to attend the International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP). Information for financial assistance for minority students is available through the Graduate School Office of Minority Student Assistance, Box 870118, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0118. Applications for loans and work-study assignments must be made through the Office of Student Financial Aid, Box 870162, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0162. Additional information about financial support for Graduate School can be found in our Financial Assistance Handbook or through our links to other financial assistance sites.
15. Your application will be complete when all materials listed above are received by the Graduate School Office.
16. Deadlines: All components of your application should be completed and received by the Graduate School at least six to eight months prior to departmental deadlines. In the event that a department does not have a specified deadline, all application materials must be received by the Graduate School at least four months prior to the intended semester of enrollment. See the Graduate Catalog to review application deadlines for departments.

The University of Alabama
Graduate School
P.O. Box 870118
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0118

For express or courier mail services, use the physical address:

Questions about applications should be sent to

• usgradapply@aalan.ua.edu (for US Citizens or Permanent Residents)
• intergradapply@aalan.ua.edu (for International Applicants)
• or by phone: (205) 348-5921

NOTE: All application materials and records, including academic records from other institutions, become the property of The University of Alabama and may not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to other institutions.

The University of Alabama complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans Adjustment Assistance Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or services. Inquiries and concerns regarding equal opportunity and compliance may be directed to Gwendolyn Hood, University Compliance Officer, 171 Rose Administration Building, Box 870300, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487-5855, (Voice/TDD)

Application Center | Graduate School | The University of Alabama | Site Map | Search | Contact | Last updated: 02/22/2008