Graduate Application Checklist

1. Visit the graduate faculty research page and identify several faculty with research interests compatible with yours to be sure Washington State University is a good fit for you. You do not need to contact them at this time, but please include their names in your application when asked to indicate which research faculty members with whom you are interested in working.
2. Complete the application for admission online at the Graduate School. Online application is the only method of application. A $75.00 application fee must be paid using Visa or Master Card. Please note that all application material required as part of this Graduate School online application must be submitted to the Graduate School (not to the Department of Mathematics).
3. All PhD applicants will be considered for financial assistance via assistantships.
4. Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and prior graduate work must be uploaded with your application to WSU. Upon admission, please have official transcripts sent to the Graduate School directly from the registrar's office of your prior institutions. Transcripts are not considered official until they are received directly from registrar offices in a sealed envelope.
5. GRE test scores are not required by the Department of Mathematics. However, we encourage applicants to submit scores for the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test in Mathematics. These scores must be no older than 5 years at the time of application. Please request the Educational Testing Service to submit GRE scores directly to code 4705.
6. International students must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores. Scores must be less than two years old and sent directly to the Graduate School.
   
   The Mathematics Department requirements are as follows:
   TOEFL: at least 600 (PBT) or 100 (IBT); or
   IELTS: at least 7; or
   MELAB: at least 86;
   where
   TOEFL: = Test of English as a Foreign Language
   PBT: = Paper-Based Test
   IBT: = Internet-Based Test
   IELTS: = International English Language Testing System
   MELAB: = Michigan English Language Assessment Battery
   
   In most cases, foreign students who have studied and earned a degree in the United States or Canada are exempt from the English requirement. A Certificate of Degree is required by the Graduate School from the university where the degree was earned in order to qualify for waiver of the English requirement.
7. The online Graduate School application will ask for the name, address, email, and position of three references for letters of recommendation. The Graduate School will then send an email to each reference containing instructions on how they may submit their recommendation online. If it is impossible for an individual to complete the online recommendation they may send it directly to the Graduate School at P.O. Box 641030, Pullman, WA 99164-1030. At least two recommendations should be from individuals who can attest to and evaluate your academic abilities. All letters should address your potential for successful graduate studies in mathematics.
8. The Department of Mathematics requires a personal statement that clearly indicates your research interests. Applicants are encouraged to include names of at least two faculty members of the Department with whom they are interested to work on possible research projects for satisfying the research project requirements of the degree to which they are applying.
9. You may send additional documents such as published papers to be included in your file. These documents may be sent to the Graduate Program Coordinator via email or via post office mail at the addresses below.
10. Applicants need to have all materials submitted by January 10th to start fall semester, and by August 10th to start spring semester.
11. Additional material that you wish to submit to be part of your application file, may be sent to:

    Graduate Program Coordinator
    Department of Mathematics
    Washington State University
    PO Box 643113
    Pullman,WA 99164-3113
    
    Telephone: 509-335-3926
    Fax: 509-335-1188
    Email: mathstat.gradinfo@lists.wsu.edu

Assistantship Information

Assistantships are based upon the applicant's academic record, previous experience or potential, and recommendations. A full-time graduate student teaching or research assistant is responsible for a maximum of 20 hours of work weekly, which may include aiding in the classroom or in research. All international teaching assistants are required to take the English Proficiency Exam upon arrival at WSU. The score received determines the type of duties assigned. The continuation of financial assistance is contingent upon satisfactory performance of assigned duties and satisfactory academic progress, as well as aid availability. Notification of awards begins in February or March and is made by the department directly to the applicant. Non-resident tuition waivers are guaranteed by the Graduate School for the first year of study only. Washington State residency must be obtained for the second and subsequent years of study to maintain a tuition waiver (does not apply to international students). Residual tuition and fees not covered by the tuition waiver are to be paid per semester by the graduate student. This also applies to summer session.

The Mathematics Graduate Studies Committee reviews the current academic standing and the level of performance in assistantship duties of all graduate students at the end of each semester. Continued financial support in the form of a teaching or research assistantship is available to students who remain in good academic standing in the Department of Mathematics and perform their assistantship duties in a satisfactory manner. A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 is required by both the Graduate School and Department of Mathematics to retain tuition waiver and assistantship.