Important Notes

Please check with your department about the most current application deadlines.  The deadlines we provide are the general deadlines and the department will always have the most up to date deadlines.

It is strongly recommended that you apply on-line as this is the most efficient method of applying.

All application material must be submitted directly to the UNH Graduate School office in Thompson Hall.

Paper Application Instructions
(If you are applying online please follow these instructions)

Please thoroughly read these directions before submitting your application.  It is suggested that you print these directions before you begin your application.  Our FAQ (admissions section) also has a lot of useful answers to common questions.  Please note this is only for our regular graduate applications.  If you are interested in one of our Certificate Programs please visit our Certificate Application Instructions page.

NOTE: These application instructions refer to the PAPER VERSION of the application only.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as it will greatly speed up the application process.

The UNH Graduate School application is self-administered, meaning that the applicant is responsible for submitting the paper application along with all supporting materials in one complete packet. Included with this should be letters of recommendation, transcripts, residency statement (if applicable), any special documents required by the department/program, and the $60 application fee.  You can pay the fee online via credit card by using our Online Application Fee Payment Form or you can send a personal check payable to UNH to our office.  If paying online, please enter the same information on the form as you entered on your application.  If you need any help with paying your fee online use our quick help sheet. All application material must be submitted directly to the UNH Graduate School office in Thompson Hall either by mail, or in person. (Do NOT send or address any materials directly to the department)  Please be sure to include your name on ALL documents submitted as pieces of your application are often separated during processing. 

Test scores, if required, should be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (our CEEB Code is 003918).

When submitting an application you must, if possible, collect all supporting documents yourself and then submit them with your completed application to the Graduate School office as one complete package.  

Please do not submit more than one application for the same program and term.  This will greatly slow down the application process and may prevent your application from being reviewed.

If you have questions about the application process please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS NOTE: International applicants have separate deadlines that need to be used in place of the standard deadlines.  Please visit the International Students page for more information on applying. A four year baccalaureate degree is normally the minimum academic credential required for admission.

Deadlines: When to Apply

Graduate School admissions at the University of New Hampshire are both limited and competitive. It is suggested, and in your best interest to apply early, and it is your responsibility to make sure that ALL application materials are submitted to the Graduate School before the appropriate deadline.  All graduate school and department deadlines are listed under each department's Program of Study page.

Many departments have their own deadlines and policies concerning late or early applications. If you have any questions about when a department might accept an application, please contact that specific department directly.

Applications completed after the published deadlines may not be acted upon in time to enroll in the desired session. This is particularly true of applications for the fall session, as many programs have earlier deadlines and most programs will fill their available openings prior to July 1st.

If possible, please try to submit your application materials well before the deadline date, instead of on that date specifically.

Important Information

Before applying it is advised that you check with your department to confirm deadlines, open application periods, and any special requirements (test scores, writing samples, etc.)  All of this information can be obtained from our Programs of Study page, or by contacting the department directly.

Submitting Your Application

Applicants must submit, in one complete package, the paper application and all of the documents below directly to the Graduate School office in Thompson Hall. Applications can either be submitted in person, or mailed to the address listed at the top of the application.  Applications will not be processed until all required information is received. Additional recommendations and residency forms can be found on our forms page if needed.

1. Submit a non-refundable $60 application fee.  You can pay the fee online - via credit card - using our Online Application Fee Payment Form.  (Please enter the same information on the form as you entered it on your application). If you need any help with paying your fee online use our quick help sheet.  You can also pay by personal check payable to the University of New Hampshire.
    

2. Request that TWO official transcripts from each college/university attended for at least one year be returned directly to you. Transcripts must remain sealed and unopened by the student in order for them to be considered official by our office.  If you attended UNH as an undergrad you must contact the Registrar's Office to request your transcripts. It will NOT be done automatically.
    

3. Request three recommendations using the forms provided in our application packet. Additional recommendation forms can be found on our forms page.  Instruct the referee to seal the letter in an envelope and sign across the seal before returning the recommendation directly to you (Non-Graduate School issued envelopes are acceptable as long as the referee signs across the back). Please be sure that your referees use your full name instead of a nickname they might know you by. Photocopied, faxed, or emailed letters are not acceptable as we need official INK signatures. Letters from relatives/friends are also NOT acceptable. Placement credentials over three years old may be accepted as one letter of recommendation. Letters must remain sealed and unopened to be accepted by our office.
    

4. Request that official test scores, if required, be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service. Test scores more than five years old may not be acceptable. Student copies and photo copies of scores are not considered official. (Our GRE CEEB code is 003918)
    

5. Submit the Statement of Residence Form (New Hampshire residents only) with your application materials. This form is included in our application packet and can also be found on our forms page.
    

6. Submit a typed personal statement. Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding: 1) reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives, and 2) your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
   
   NOTE: Education Personal Statement for the MED, MA, MAT and PhD Programs in Education: Applicants to the MEd, MA, and MAT programs in the Department of Education should, in no more than two pages, describe the reasons they wish to pursue the degree program they have chosen, including relevant personal qualities and life experiences that have shaped their beliefs about learning, development and teaching, counseling, or administration (depending on the program to which they are applying). The PHD in Education requires a second essay (in addition to the one required by the Graduate School), that discusses one issue in the field of education that is of interest to you. Explore the opportunities and challenges this issue poses and explain why you find it personally compelling. It should be1000 to 1500 words in length and you need to submit it on paper.
   
   NOTE: The UNH Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Program and Public Health Certificate (PHC) Program requires each applicant to submit a typed, well-written personal statement that answers five essay questions - you can get the essay questions here.
   
   NOTE: WSBE Personal Statement and Four Special Essay Questions (MA, PHD Economics, All MBA Programs and MS Accounting also require a special essay format, which can be found on their website.
    

7. Provide any documents or items required specifically by your department (writing sample, resume, etc.)
    

Note: Please be sure to include your full name (ie. Jonathan, not John) on ALL documents submitted to minimize the possibility of items becoming lost.  All application materials become the property of the University of New Hampshire and will NOT be returned, duplicated, or forwarded to a third party.

Note: If you are applying by paper please do NOT submit an additional paper or online application.  This will greatly slow down the processing of your application and may prevent your application from being reviewed in a timely manner.  The review of applications generally takes 3-8 weeks from the date your application was complete.

Our office is not responsible for items that get lost in the mail and never reach our office.  It is in your best interest to monitor your application status online in order to make sure that we have all of your materials by the posted deadline.

All letters of admission will come from the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.  Letters of admission will include a link that should be used to respond to the offer of admission.  Statements about admission - verbal or written - from other sources, including the department,  are NOT official. Offers of assistantships will come directly from the department.

Social Security Numbers: The University of New Hampshire is requesting your Social Security number (SSN) for identification purposes.  Your SSN will be used to process your application materials as well as to comply with federal and state reporting requirements regarding students attending the institution.  You must provide your SSN if you are applying for financial aid.  The institution is required by the Internal Revenue Code and other federal laws to report names and SSNs of students who receive financial aid.  The institution will not disclose an applicant's SSN to anyone outside the institution except as mandated by law or institutional policy.

If you have any questions please first look at our FAQ page.  If this does not help please contact our office or your department directly. You can monitor the status of your application online through the MyUNH (Blackboard) website - for details on how to do this please see our instructions.

The UNH Graduate School offers several professional Master's programs through its Center for Graduate & Professional Studies, located in Manchester NH. For a list of programs offered, and other information, visit their website at www.unhmgrad.unh.edu.

Disability services for students can be found on their website:  www.unh.edu/disabilityservices and they can be reached via phone at 603-862-2607

Revised Nondiscrimination Policy of the University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action institution. The University seeks excellence through diversity among its administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged. Inquiries regarding discrimination should be made to Donna Marie Sorrentino, Director, Affirmative Action and Equity Office, Thompson Hall, telephone (603) 862-2930 v/tty; or Director, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201.  Rev. 08/07

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