Degree requirement 

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university before beginning graduate studies. This is a fundamental requirement and appeals to waive it are not considered. 

International degrees 

• International degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher and granted by a college or university recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country. 

Note: 3-year degrees from India, Bangladesh, Canada (excluding Quebec), Nepal, and Pakistan are not accepted. Degrees from other countries are evaluated individually. 

Minimum GPA 

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to a B grade) is required for admission. 

English proficiency 

• Applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements set by both the Graduate College and the specific graduate program they are applying to, prior to enrollment. 

GRE/GMAT 

• While Iowa State University does not have a university-wide requirement for the GRE or GMAT, most graduate programs do not require one of these tests. Applicants should review the specific requirements of their intended program. 

These criteria help ensure that all admitted students are prepared for success in their graduate studies. 

The Iowa State University Graduate College offers over 350 programs of study.  Ensure that you have familiarized yourself with the details of those you are most interested, including the programs’ admission requirements, deadlines, and graduate support contact information by searching our Graduate Programs page. 

Before you submit an application for a program of study, you must first create an Admissions MyAccount profile.  This is a quick and easy process. 

When entering your personal information, please be sure to use your legal name and a personal email address.  Avoid using a university or employment email address.  If you will require a visa to study in the U.S., qualifying you as an international applicant, you must enter an international address as your permanent address.

For detailed instructions about creating your Admissions MyAccount p

After creating your Admissions MyAccount profile, you are ready to start applying to graduate programs by following the process below: 

1. Login as a returning user 
2. Locate and click the Start New Application button 
3. Complete the application – you will be asked to enter information regarding personal information, the program your applying to, your academic history, and the information of three references.  International applicants will also be asked to confirm their personal information to be included on the visa. 
4. Pay application fee (if applicable) 
5. Upload supplemental documentation (statement of purpose, transcripts, English proficiency scores, etc.) 

Application fee

• Domestic applicants (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, DACA, or undocumented individuals): $60 (nonrefundable).
• International applicants: $100 (nonrefundable).

Fee collection

Some programs may postpone the application fee collection until after your application has been reviewed. If you are admitted, your program may cover the fee or defer it to your first university bill upon enrollment.

Applying to multiple programs

• Each program requires a separate nonrefundable application fee (e.g. $120 for two domestic applications or $180 for three).
• Each application requires the submission of supporting materials even when application requirements are the same.
• Each program may have unique or additional requirements, which can be viewed in your Admissions MyAccount.
• Programs will be informed if you are applying to multiple programs.

Fee waivers

• Fee waivers are available exclusively for McNair Scholars.
• Application fees for U.S. military veterans and active service members will be deferred until enrollment.

Uploading records for review

Applicants may upload copies of academic records for initial application review. If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide official academic records. Detailed instructions can be found in the Uploading Documents and Official Academic Records sections.

What are academic records?

Academic records go by different names worldwide. For example:

• In the U.S.: Transcripts
• In India: Annual Mark Sheets
• In Spanish-speaking countries: Certificado de Estudios
• In France: Relevé de Notes

Records are considered official when they bear the original stamp or seal of the institution's authorized official (e.g., registrar, principal, or controller of exams). Documents certified by professors, lecturers, or other non-authorized personnel are not considered official. Records printed from a school’s website are also not accepted.

International transcript evaluations

International students may submit course-by-course evaluations from World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). These evaluations must include copies of your transcripts in a single PDF and be uploaded to the transcript action item on your Admissions MyAccount.

Specific requirements for applicants from India

• Submit required semester or annual mark sheets.
• College-issued mark sheets are only accepted from autonomous colleges.
• Consolidated mark sheets are accepted only if they include all attempts, retakes, and failures.
• Degree statements must be issued and certified by the granting university, not the college.
• When uploading mark sheets, use the "Transcripts" section, not "Exams."

Electronic copies of transcripts

If your transcript includes an encrypted electronic signature, it cannot be uploaded directly. Print a copy, rescan it, and then upload the rescanned version.

Translations

Academic records must be in the official language of the country where they were earned. If the language is not English, include a literal (word-for-word) English translation from a qualified translator alongside the original document. Interpretative translations are not accepted.

For previous Iowa State students

If you were previously enrolled at Iowa State, you do not need to request your transcripts. The Office of Admissions will retrieve them directly.

All letters of recommendation must be received before application deadlines for your application to be considered complete and ready for evaluation. 

FERPA and waiving your review rights

Under the U.S. Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), enrolled students have the right to access their application files, including letters of recommendation. Many institutions, including Iowa State, offer applicants the option to voluntarily waive this right, meaning you forgo the ability to view recommendation letters if you enroll.

Considerations for waiving your rights:

• Recommenders are often more candid when letters remain confidential.
• Some recommenders may refuse to write letters for applicants who do not waive their rights.
• Your waiver selection can be changed from visible to waived by managing your LORs (section below) after your application has been submitted.
• Once you have chosen to waive your right to view your applications, you cannot switch your choice to view them. 

Email notifications for LOR requests

If a recommender does not receive the email notification with the link to submit their recommendation, take the following steps:

1. Verify the email address entered on your application for accuracy. If incorrect, update the address in your Admissions MyAccount and send a reminder.
2. If the address is correct, ask the recommender to check their spam or junk mail folder.
3. As a last resort, the recommender can provide an alternative email address or use the PDF Letter of Recommendation form available on our website (instructions below).

Managing online LORs

Iowa State’s Admissions MyAccount system allows you to track and manage your online LOR requests.

Steps to access and manage LORs:

1. Log in to Admissions MyAccount.
2. Select “View my Application(s)” to track the status of LORs.
3. Utilize the following options as needed:
   • Cancel: Remove an incomplete request and add a new recommender.
   • Resend: Send a reminder email to a recommender.
   • Edit: Correct email address errors or update information if the recommender opts to submit a paper letter.
   • Add new recommender: Send a request to a new recommender not listed on your original application.

Submitting PDF LORs

If a recommender prefers not to use the online system, follow these steps:

1. Download the PDF Letter of Recommendation form from our website.
2. Complete Sections 1 and 3, then save the form.
3. Send the form to your recommender, ensuring you include the contact information (email or postal address) for the program to which you are applying. Program contact details can be found in the program requirements section of the website.

Important notes for PDF LORs:

• PDF recommendations cannot be tracked in Admissions MyAccount. They must be sent directly to the graduate program office.
• Programs may upload received PDF letters to your Admissions MyAccount on your behalf.
• Do not send PDF LORs to the Office of Admissions.

By following these guidelines, you ensure your recommendation letters are submitted smoothly and support your application effectively.

To streamline the application process and save you the time, effort, and expense of mailing materials, Iowa State allows you to upload supplemental documents directly to your Admissions MyAccount after submitting your application. These materials will be used for the admissions decision.

Uploading documents

Documents should be uploaded directly to the action items listed in your Admissions MyAccount. You can also upload additional documents not explicitly requested, which may still be reviewed by programs during the evaluation process.

Required materials for all applicants:

• Statement of purpose
• Scanned copies of official academic records and degree statements: These should include records from any institution where you earned (or will earn) a bachelor’s degree and any post-bachelor’s institutions. Do NOT upload web-based transcripts or grade reports.
• Program-specific supplemental forms or materials: Refer to program requirements listed in your Admissions MyAccount.

Do NOT upload the following:

• Undergraduate records for only one semester or fewer than 15 credits
• Secondary or pre-university records
• Merit certificates or participation certificates
• Web-based advising reports or online transcripts
• Grade reports or degree audits
• Theses or dissertations (unless requested)

Scanning tips

To ensure your documents meet requirements:

• Save documents as PDF files. TIFF, JPEG, or Word files will not be accepted.
• For electronic transcripts, download, print, and scan them before uploading to avoid encryption issues.
• Scan transcripts from multiple schools as individual files.
• Include a single copy of the grading scale (legend/key) if your academic record includes one.
• Use a resolution of 300 dpi or less to keep files legible and under the size limit of 30 MB.
• If the scanned file is too large, photocopy the document and scan the copy.
• Verify that scanned documents are clear and legible before uploading.
• Combine relevant academic documents by institution. For example, upload original language transcripts and English translations together as a single document.

Managing your documents

In your Admissions MyAccount, you can track and manage all requested action items and upload documents. Keep in mind:

• Documents must be in PDF format.
• Each file must not exceed 30 MB.

Technical difficulties

If you are unable to prepare legible scanned documents, your application will still be fully considered as long as official transcripts are received by the Office of Admissions by the required deadline.

Important notes on academic integrity

Iowa State reserves the right to rescind admission offers if discrepancies are found between uploaded and official documents, if any records are forged or altered, or if essays, statements, or supplemental materials contain plagiarized content. If such issues are discovered after enrollment, disciplinary action, including dismissal, may be taken.

By following these guidelines, you ensure that your application materials are complete, accurate, and submitted on time for review.

Deadlines mark the final step in the application process—the point by which your application must be complete—rather than the starting point. To ensure timely consideration, all required materials (including letters of recommendation) should be submitted by the program's stated deadline. It’s important to note that graduate programs differ in their policies regarding late applications, so meeting the deadline is strongly encouraged.

For more information about affording tuition and financial aid, please review the Office of Student Financial Aid’s site for graduate students. 

Please visit our Graduate International Applicants site to learn more about specific application requirements. 

Once your online application, required academic records, and required documents are received, the Office of Admissions will review your file for completeness. During peak review periods, this process may take up to three weeks.

• If action items, such as academic records or other required documents, remain unresolved, your file will be marked as “Incomplete.” You will receive an email prompting you to log into your Admissions MyAccount to review and address these items. It may take multiple business days between when documents have been submitted and the status is changed from “Received” to “Complete”.  Please do not reach out to the Admissions Office if the status does not change immediately after submission.
• Once your file is complete, it will be forwarded to the admissions committee of the graduate program(s) to which you applied for further review.

Program-specific reviews:

• Some programs review applications on a rolling basis.
• Others evaluate all applicants at the same time, often beginning in February or March.

For information on decision timelines, please contact the specific graduate program directly.

Admission decision process

1. The graduate program submits an admission recommendation to the Graduate College for approval by the Dean.
2. If the recommendation is approved, the Office of Admissions takes formal action and processes your admission.

Notification of admission

• Some departments notify applicants of their recommendation to the Graduate College.
• Others wait until the Graduate College has approved the decision, and the Office of Admissions has sent the official offer of admission.
• All graduate applicants receive their official admission offer via email.

International applicants

For F-1 or J-1 visa holders:

• Admissions reviews your financial documentation to confirm you can cover educational and living expenses (including those of any dependents) throughout your program.
• If additional documentation is needed, you will be notified.
• Once funding requirements are met (via private funds, scholarships, or program funding), your file will be released for issuance of the visa eligibility form (I-20 or DS-2019).

Visa documents

• The I-20 form will be issued through the International Student Services Office.
• Students residing outside the U.S. will receive the I-20 form via email.

Accepting your offer

To enroll at Iowa State, you must formally accept your offer of admission:

• Log into your Admissions MyAccount to accept the offer once it is processed.
• For questions about your admission offer, contact your graduate program directly. Contact details can be found in the program requirements section.

Students that are being extended an offer of admission may receive a congratulatory communication from the program of study.  This does not qualify as an official offer of admission.  Official offer of admission notification is sent from the Office Admissions.  After receiving the offer, applicants must login to their Admissions MyAccount.  From this page, you will need to locate and click the “Accept Offer of Admission” button.  Only after completing this process will the new student onboarding task checklist be assigned and visible on your MyAccount. 

Admission deferrals may be granted only up to a maximum of one year, with program approval. If admitted students wish to defer for longer than one year, they will need to decline their admission offer and reapply at that time. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may initiate deferral requests by contacting the program of study for approval of the request. 

We are always happy to assist students throughout the application process. Before reaching out, we kindly ask that you review all instructions carefully, as your questions may already be addressed. Additionally, we offer a helpful list of frequently asked questions on our website.

To ensure you are directed to the appropriate office, please note the following areas of responsibility:

Office of Admissions handles:

• Online application form
• Uploading documents
• Academic records and degrees
• English proficiency exams
• Letters of recommendation

Graduate programs handle:

• GRE/GMAT examinations
• Admissions or denial decisions
• Assistantship decisions

Contact information

Office of Admissions

100 Enrollment Services Center
2433 Union Drive
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2011

Phone: 515-294-5836
Fax: 515-294-2592
Email: admissions@iastate.edu

Graduate programs

Please search for your specific program to find the appropriate contact information.

Submitting examination results

To ensure timely receipt and processing, all required examinations should be completed at least six weeks before your graduate program’s application deadline. Official test results must be sent directly to Iowa State University by the testing agency to be considered valid. 

After submitting your application, upload copies of your examination results in your Admissions MyAccount. While these copies are unofficial, they can assist the university in locating your official scores during the application review process. 

For detailed instructions about uploading unofficial English proficiency results, click here. 

English proficiency requirements 

English may be considered your primary language if it is the language you are most proficient in and/or the first language you learned and spoke from childhood in your home. If English is not your primary language, you must meet the university’s English proficiency requirements through one of the following methods: 

Earning a Degree from an English-Medium University 

You may satisfy the English proficiency requirement if you have completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an English-medium institution in an English-speaking country. These countries recognize English as an official language: 

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Eritrea, Eswatini, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Micronesia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sudan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 

Submitting Official English Language Test Scores 

If you have not earned a degree from an English-speaking country, you must provide official scores from one of the following exams. Both the Graduate College and your specific graduate program's minimum requirements must be met. The minimum scores accepted by the Graduate College are: 

• Paper-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL Paper-Based Test): 550 
• Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT): 79 
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5 
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53 
• Duolingo English Test (approved for use through Spring 2026): 105 (Fall 2025), 115 (Spring 2026)

Submission Instructions 

Official TOEFL results must be sent electronically directly from the educational testing service to Iowa State. Our school code is 6306. The IELTS testing agency may send electronic results or mail official results to:  

Office of Admissions 
Iowa State University 
100 Enrollment Services Center 
2433 Union Drive 
Ames, IA 50011-2042 

If variations of your name appear on examination score reports or academic records, please provide those variations in the designated field. If you have only one name, enter it in the "Last Name" or "Surname" field. International applicants should use the exact spelling shown on their passport to avoid issues with the visa process. 

International degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher and granted by a college or university recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country. 

Note: 3-year degrees from India, Bangladesh, Canada (excluding Quebec), Nepal, and Pakistan are not accepted. Degrees from other countries are evaluated individually. 

Applicants may upload unofficial copies of academic records for initial application review. If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide official academic records. 

For detailed instructions about uploading unofficial transcripts, click here.   

What are academic records? 

Academic records go by different names worldwide. For example: 

• In the U.S.: Transcripts 
• In India: Annual Mark Sheets 
• In Spanish-speaking countries: Certificado de Estudios 
• In France: Relevé de Notes 

If your transcript includes an encrypted electronic signature, it cannot be uploaded directly. Print a copy, rescan it, and then upload the rescanned version. 

International transcript evaluations 

International students may submit course-by-course evaluations from International Education Evaluation (IEE), World Education Services (WES), or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). These evaluations must include copies of your transcripts in a single PDF and be uploaded to the transcript action item on your Admissions MyAccount. The use of external evaluators is not required and is optional. 

Degree Statements

International applicants must upload unofficial degree statements for all degrees earned outside the United States.   

A degree statement may be presented as a certificate or diploma and must include the following: 

• Your full name 
• The degree awarded 
• The name of the issuing institution 
• A clear confirmation that the degree was granted, awarded, or conferred, including the date of conferral. 

For detailed instructions about uploading your degree statement, click here.   

Specific requirements for applicants from India

• Submit required semester or annual mark sheets. 
• College-issued mark sheets are only accepted from autonomous colleges. 
• Consolidated mark sheets are accepted only if they include all attempts, retakes, and failures. 
• Degree statements must be issued and certified by the granting university, not the college. 
• When uploading mark sheets, use the "Transcripts" section, not "Exams.

Translations 

Academic records must be in the official language of the country where they were earned. If the language is not English, include a literal (word-for-word) English translation from a qualified translator alongside the original document. Interpretative translations are not accepted. 

Submitting Official Academic Documents 

If the graduate dean approves your admission to Iowa State University, you will be instructed to submit hard copies of your official final academic records and degree statements. Any documents transcripts that you uploaded during the application process are considered unofficial academic documents. Transcripts sent directly from your university’s registrar to Iowa State University's Office of Admissions are considered official. Transcripts uploaded to your application before your degree was awarded are not considered final documents.  

Records are considered official when they bear the original stamp or seal of the institution's authorized official (e.g., registrar, principal, or controller of exams). Documents certified by professors, lecturers, or other non-authorized personnel are not considered official. Records printed from a school’s website are also not accepted.  Copies must be complete with official school seals/stamps and signatures of the person issuing the document.  

The Office of Admissions requires official final transcripts from each school you attended and completed courses for a minimum of 15 credits. 

For detailed instructions about submitting official academic documents, click here

For country specific information, click here. 

Mailing Address for Official Documents 

Transcripts can be received via courier, directly from the school to Iowa State using the following addresses:  
 
Office of Admissions 
100 Enrollment Services Center 
2433 Union Drive 
Iowa State University 
Ames, IA 50011-2042 

Electronic transcripts 

Official final documents from U.S. institutions may be sent electronically directly from the issuing school directly to Iowa State University using Parchment, National Clearinghouse, or directly to etranscript@iastate.edu. 

Official final documents from international institutions may have one of the approved external evaluation companies (IEE, WES, or ECE) submit a report directly to the Iowa State University Office of Admissions.  Or, applicants may have their academic documents authenticated by TrueCopy and have their authorization made available to the office of admissions.   

Important Information

All documents submitted in support of your application become the property of Iowa State University and will not be returned in original or copied form. 

Financial documents are not required as part of the application process.  These documents do not need to be uploaded until an offer of admission is made and accepted by the applicant at which time financial documents are required to issue an I20 for visa purposes. 

Funds must be liquid and can be in the form of a bank statement, education loan, scholarship, or government bond (as long as it appears the bonds can be cashed in). If any funds are not personal, you must fill out the financial statement form documenting your financial arrangements and your sponsor's promise of support if applicable. You MUST upload financial documents or a sanction letter for educational loans, with the completed statement to the financial support documents action item. 

For detailed instructions about uploading your financial documents, click here.  

For International students who need an I-20 or DS-2019, you will be asked to upload the information page of your passport in the Student Portal. This information will be used by the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISSO) to prepare your I-20 or DS-2019 so that you can apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

You will need a student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) visa from the American embassy or consulate in your home country. Do not obtain a "B" (tourist/visitor) visa, because it is very difficult to change it to an "F" or "J" status. When applying for a visa, you must present your offer letter, a valid passport, and the I-20 or the DS-2019 form during your visit. You will also be asked to show proof that you have adequate financial support to attend ISU and demonstrate strong ties to your home country.  

F-1 Visa: This is the most common visa for students.  After your application for admission is approved, ISU will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form). If you choose to attend ISU, be sure to use the Certificate of Eligibility issued by Iowa State University to apply for you F-1 Visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

J-1 Visa: The exchange visitor visa classification is available to students supported financially by ISU, an agency, or government. After your application for admissions is approved, the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISSO) will issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (DS-2019 Form). If you choose to attend ISU, be sure to use the Certificate of Eligibility issued by Iowa State University to apply for your J-1 Visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Depart for the United States only after you receive formal notice of acceptance and the I-20/DS-2019 Form from the Office of Admissions AND obtain the student visa. You are only allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date on the Certificate of Eligibility. 

All international students holding F and J visas will be required to comply with U.S. Government regulations.  The Student/Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is designed to help the U.S. Government keep track of nonimmigrant students.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security now requires that a SEVIS fee be paid for each visa applicant. The Certificate of Eligibility form (for I-20 or DS-2019) that ISU issues to you has a unique identifying number referred to as the SEVIS number or "N" number. This SEVIS number is needed to pay the SEVIS fee.  Please print out your receipt when you pay the SEVIS fee and keep it for your records.  You must present the Certificate of Eligibility every time you enter the U.S. It is very important that you keep track of this form.