Admission

Admission

1. When will I know if I am admitted?
Each department has a different schedule for making admission decisions. Please check with the department to which you applied to find out their schedule. For fall applications, Baylor University is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), which means that Baylor abides by the CGS Resolution - "Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants," - that concerns the conditions surrounding the acceptance of offers of certain kinds of graduate student financial assistance, namely, scholarships, fellowships, traineeships, and assistantships. The general spirit of the Resolution is that students should have an opportunity to consider more than one offer and should have until April 15th to do so, that institutions and students should be able to view acceptances in force after April 15th as binding, that everyone should know what the rules are, and that an offer by the institution and its acceptance by the student constitute an agreement which both expect to honor. The Resolution acknowledges that students, after having accepted an offer, may change their minds and withdraw that acceptance. The intent of the Resolution is to provide a uniform and widely acceptable framework for so doing, one that provides protection for both student and institution. Full text of the Resolution can be viewed here.

2. I was admitted on probation, what does that mean?
Students on probation may not receive university funding in the form of tuition remission or a stipend. If you are unable to satisfy the institutional overall GPA requirement of 3.0 at the conclusion of nine hours, you will be dismissed from the Graduate School.

3. My application was accepted for the semester to which I applied; however, I will not be able to attend Baylor at that time. I would like to come the following semester, or perhaps the next? What do I need to do?
First, find out if the program you were admitted to enrolls new students in the semester to which you want to defer. Second, obtain permission to change your entrance semester from your department's graduate program director. This can be done via email asking if your admission can be deferred to a specific semester. If he or she approves your request, your graduate program director should then forward his or her approval to the Graduate School to process the request to defer your admission. Once all of the changes have been made, the Graduate School will send you a letter confirming the change. It is important to note that accepted applications may only be deferred up to one year, after which time, you must reapply.

4. My application was accepted for an upcoming semester, but I would like to come sooner. What do I need to do? For example: I was accepted for Fall, but I want to come Summer.
First, find out if the program you were admitted to enrolls new students in the semester to which you'd like to change. Second, obtain permission from your department's graduate program director. This can be done via email asking if your admission can be deferred to a specific semester. If he or she approves your request, your graduate program director should then forward his or her approval to the Graduate School to process the request to defer admission. Once all of the changes have been made, the Graduate School will send you a letter confirming the change. It is important to note that accepted applications may be deferred up to one year only, after which time you must reapply.

5. What happens if I have already been accepted, and I want to change programs?
If you have already enrolled as a student and are taking classes, you will need to fill out a Change of Degree form, available for pick-up from the Graduate School.

If you are an incoming student and the degree you wish to change to is not under the purview of your current graduate program director, you will need to complete the application process for the degree to which you'd like to. If the desired degree is under the same department, you will need approval of your Graduate Program Director. Please have him/her email us with the requested changes to Graduate_Admissions@baylor.edu.

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Question Categories: Admission | Application | Enrollment | Miscellaneous | Online Application

Application

Application

1. I'm an international applicant. Are there additional forms I need to fill out?
Two additional forms are required of international applicants who are accepted for graduate study at Baylor University: the Visa Authorization Form and the Confirmation of Financial Resources Form. These forms can be downloaded from the Prospective Students page on the International Students and Scholars website.

If you have questions about the process to obtain your visa or questions about the above forms, please contact the International Student and Scholar Services office by calling (254) 710-1461.

2. How long do you keep my supporting documents on file?
Unexpired documents that have not been used for an application including transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and resumes will be held for two years, after which point they will be destroyed.

3. I applied to one semester, but I want to defer my application to a future semester. I've not yet received notification of an admissions decision. What do I need to do? For example: I applied to Spring, but I want to change that to Fall.
First, find out if the program you applied to enrolls new students in the semester to which you'd like to defer. Next, send an email to Graduate_Admissions@baylor.edu and detail your full name, the degree and program to which you're applying, the semester your application was for originally, and the semester to which you'd like to defer. If necessary, you should send any final or updated transcripts to Graduate Admissions.

4. I applied to a future semester, but I want to change my application to an earlier semester. I've not received notice of an admissions decision. What do I need to do? For example: I applied to Fall, but I want to change to Summer.
First, find out if the program you applied to enrolls new students in the semester to which you'd like to change. Next, send an email to Graduate Admissions and detail your full name, the degree and program you are applying to, the semester your application was for originally, and the earlier semester to which you'd like to apply.

5. I applied and my application was declined. I would like to reapply for an upcoming semester. What do I need to do?
Submit a new online application, paying a new application fee. Submit any new or relevant updated materials (letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, etc.). If there are items from your declined application that you wish to use for your new application, you should send an email to Graduate_Admissions@baylor.edu after you have submitted a new application. The email should include your full name, degree and program you are applying to, the enrollment semester, and a detailed description of the items you would like us to reuse. Please keep in mind that materials are only held for two years, and then they are destroyed.

6. I applied for one program, but I want to switch to a different program and/or semester. I've not received notice of an admissions decision on my application. What should I do?
If your application is incomplete or currently being reviewed, and you would like to change the degree and/or program you are applying to, send an email to Graduate_Admissions@baylor.edu. Please tell us your full name, the semester you are applying to, the degree and program your application was originally for, and the degree and program to which you'd like to change your application.

7. I am interested in taking graduate courses, but do not want to earn a degree. What do I need to do?
The application requirements are the same for non-degree applicants and degree seeking applicants. You can apply using the online application selecting the non-degree option.

8. I am a current graduate student at another university and would like to take a couple of graduate courses at Baylor University to transfer to another institution. What do I need to do?
You will need to submit a Transfer of Credit Application and $25 application fee and have a letter of good standing from the school that you are presently attending sent to the Graduate School. If admitted you will have transient status with Baylor University, which is non-degree status. To obtain the Transfer of Credit Application, please contact the Graduate Admissions office.

9. I have earned a graduate degree from Baylor University and would like to enroll again. What do I need to do?
You need to submit a Re-enrollment Application, available from the Graduate Admissions office. Re-enrollment Status allows students who have completed a graduate degree at Baylor University to take additional course work within the same department on a non-degree basis. If you have attended another institution since graduating from Baylor, an official transcript must be received from that institution before your re-enrollment can be completed.

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Question Categories: Admission | Application | Enrollment | Miscellaneous | Online Application

Enrollment

Enrollment

1. I received notification from the department that I was accepted, so why am I unable to register?
The Graduate School's letter of admission constitutes the only official notification of the admission decision. This notification from the department was either premature or given to you pending the Graduate School's notification. Only after receiving notification from the Graduate School will you be able to register.

2. How do I register for classes?
Students use the BearWeb system to register, however there are some graduate departments that require advisement. For a list of departments that require advisement, and instructions for using BearWeb, visit the Registering for Classes page.

3. How do I activate my Bear ID and how is that different than my Baylor ID?
Baylor students have various IDs and accounts associated to them. The ITS website has complete details.

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Question Categories: Admission | Application | Enrollment | Miscellaneous | Online Application

Miscellaneous Admission Questions

Miscellaneous Admission Questions

1. How do I apply for financial aid?
Graduate assistantships are awarded by academic and nonacademic departments. These include stipend and/or tuition funding. For specific information regarding eligibility requirements for an assistantship, contact the graduate program director of the program to which you are applying.

The Financial Information page on our website gives you an estimate of expenses for an academic year and also directs you to learn about the sources of funding that are available to graduate students.

To discuss the options of Stafford Loans, Texas Tuition Equalization Grant, Federal Work-Study Programs, and Private Alternative Loan Programs, contact the Office of Academic Scholarships and Financial Aid. Email them at FinancialAid_Office@baylor.edu.

2. How do I arrange a campus visit?
Contact the department to which you are applying to schedule an appointment. You will find a complete listing of programs on our website at www.baylor.edu/graduate. You may also want to stop by or contact the Wiethorn Visitors Center.

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Question Categories: Admission | Application | Enrollment | Miscellaneous | Online Application

Online Application Questions

Online Application Questions

1. I've forgotten my password. What should I do?
Go to www.baylor.edu/graduate/application. Click on "apply online." Follow instructions to "Retrieve a Lost Password." If you continue to have difficulty retrieving your password, please email gradapp_support@baylor.edu. Please provide your full name as it appears on your application and the email address you used to begin the application.

2. When I click on "View Application" or "Edit Application," nothing happens. Why can't I see the application?
Because the application typically pops up in a new browser window, the mostly likely culprit is a "pop-up blocker" on your computer. First, try holding down the "Control" key on your computer and clicking on the "View Application" or "Edit Application" option again. If that still doesn't work, you may have to disable the pop-up blocker.

3. To allow application pop-up on Internet Explorer's pop-up blocker, please do the following:
1) Click the Edit/Review Application link.
2) Internet Explorer creates a tan bar under the address bar. Click on the bar.
3) Select Always Allow Popups from this Site from the drop-down list.

4. To allow application pop-ups when using Google Toolbar:
You need to tell the Google Toolbar to allow "Popups" on the Graduate Application website.
1) Log on to online application.
2) Click the button that says "X Blocked" on your Google Toolbar.
This should allow your new windows to be displayed.

5. If you use "My Search" toolbar, you must uninstall that tool bar:
1) Select the following from the Windows Start menu:
- Settings
-- Control Panel
--- Add / Remove Programs.
2) Select My Search Toolbar.
3) Click Change / Remove.
4) Follow any other instructions to remove the program.
5) Reboot your computer.

6. To allow application pop-ups when you use PopSwatter:
1) Log on to The application.
2) Click the PopSwatter button your Toolbar (it looks like a flyswatter).
3) Select "Change Preferences."
4) Click on the "Safe List" Tab.
5) Allow Popups from https://www1.baylor.edu/graduate/GraduateApplication/Home.aspx.
6) Click "Allow."
7) Click the "X" to close the windows.
This should allow your new windows to be displayed.

7. To allow application pop-ups when using "QSearch":
1) Log on to the application.
2) Click the Drop down list on the button that says "X Blocked" on your QSearch Toolbar.
3) Select "Don't Block Popups from this site."
This should allow your new windows to be displayed.

8. To allow application pop-ups when using "Starware AdZapper":
1) Log on to the application.
2) Click the button that says "Zapped List" on your Starware Toolbar.
3) Select the line that says: https://www1.baylor.edu/graduate/GraduateApplication/Home.aspx.
4) Click "Don't Zap."
5) Select "Yes" when it asks you if you are sure.

9. To allow application pop-ups when using "Stop-Sign":
1) Hold down the "Control" button when you click the link and hold it down until the window opens. (You'll need to do this for every pop-up link.)
2) Click on the "Stop Sign" Icon in the lower right hand corner of your screen. Select Tools from the pull down menu and click on "Allow Popups". (This turns off your pop-up blocker and would need to be done each time you used application.)
3) Enter the Application website as a URL that allows popups:
a) Click on the "Stop Sign" Icon in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
b) Scroll the list of tabs to the right and click "E-anthology features."
c) Click "Popup Blocker".
d) Click Next.
e) Click Next.
f) Click Next.
g) Click Edit Lists.
h) Click Edit Lists under Allowed Popups.
i) Type the following under "Add this Website or URL to the list": https://www1.baylor.edu/graduate/GraduateApplication/Home.aspx.
j) Click Add.
k) Click OK.
l) Click OK.
m) Click Next.
n) Click Next.
o) Close E-anthology window.

10. To allow application pop-ups when using "ViewPoint" toolbar:
1) Click the "Popup Bin" button the Viewpoint Toolbar. (You have to click on the little "NO" button -- the circle with the slash through it.)
2) Select "Allow All Popups on this Site" from the menu.
This should allow your new windows to be displayed.

11. To allow application pop-ups when using "Yahoo" toolbar:
1) Click the drop-down list on the Popup Blocker button on the Yahoo Toolbar.
2) Select "Always Allow Popups from..." from the menu.
3) Select "https://www1.baylor.edu/graduate/GraduateApplication/Home.aspx."
4) Click the "Allow" button.

12. I'm getting an error message. What should I do?
All technical questions and problems with the online application should be emailed to graduate_admissions@baylor.edu. If you are able, please copy and paste the entire error message in the body of the email. Please be sure to include your full name and the email address which you have used to start your application. Technical Support will contact you as soon as possible.

13. I recently took my GRE, and I don't have my analytic/writing score yet. It won't let me submit my application. What should I do?
First of all, you must request that official copies of your standardized test scores be sent to the Graduate School office in order for your application to be complete. In order for scores to be submitted with the online application, you must either provide all of the scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic/Writing) or none of the scores. You will not be permitted to submit your application if you only fill out partial information for a given exam. You will not be permitted to leave the box blank or to enter "n/a" or any other invalid score. If you leave ALL of the test score boxes blank (but still fill in the date), you will be permitted to submit your online application. PLEASE NOTE: No matter what you fill in or don't fill in on the standardized test score page of the online application, you must submit official copies of the required standardized tests for your program.

14. To allow application pop-ups when using AIM pop-up blocker, please do the following:
1) Log on to the Online Application.
2) Click the button that says "X Popups Blocked" on your AIM Toolbar.

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