A bachelor`s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution of higher education is required of applicants to the Graduate School-Newark. In general, the school expects applicants to have an average of B or better in their previous academic work. Students should show additional evidence of their potential for graduate study by enclosing letters of recommendation and through their scores on the Graduate Record Examination, if required.

Applicants should refer to the current application found online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu to learn about requirements set by the program of their choice. Admission to the school is competitive, and some applicants who meet or exceed minimum requirements may be denied acceptance. Admission is recommended by officials in the graduate program of application, but final approval comes from the dean of the Graduate School-Newark or a representative.

Students should apply online at at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu for the fastest processing. If a paper version of the application is preferred, it can be downloaded from the web site. A complete application consists of the application form, letters of recommendation, the application fee, official transcripts of previous academic work, a personal statement or essay, and test scores. Application forms also are available from the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 249 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102-1896 (973/353-5205).

Applicants should refer to the application form for deadlines, which vary according to each program`s requirements. The deadline for consideration for assistantships and fellowships is March 1, but some programs have established different financial aid deadlines, which they indicate in their application instructions.

All programs except management, jazz history and research, and liberal studies require applicants to take and submit results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE institution code for Rutgers-Newark is 2512.

Rutgers does not question on grounds of age scores from tests taken within three years before an application is submitted.

Graduate schools and programs may require that test scores more than three years old be validated by evidence of continued work in the field or by a reexamination.

For application forms and other information, candidates should contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS), P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, at 609/921-9000, or online at http://www.gre.org.