Key Dates and Deadlines
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2021
| Priority Deadline | November 1, 2020 |
| Final Deadline | December 1, 2020 (International applicants) January 8, 2021 |
Fall 2021
| Priority Deadline | February 1, 2021 |
| Final Deadline | July 5, 2021 (International applicants) August 15, 2021 |
Application Checklist
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For priority admission and fellowship consideration, applications should be submitted by the priority deadlines.
All supporting documents should be sent to Claremont Graduate University at the following address:
CGU Office of Admissions
150 E. 10th Street
Claremont, CA 91711
Application materials, including electronic transcripts, can also be sent via email to admissions@cgu.edu.
University Application Requirements
The Claremont Graduate University online application is hosted online by Slate Technolutions via a secure web server. You will create a username and password so that you can return to continue your application over several sessions and check your status after submission. After you submit your application, it is made available for review by our faculty and staff.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.
Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.
International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.
Applicants must submit a copy of their resume.
A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE scores is required of all non-native English speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
- Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
- Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
- Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.
International applicants are encourage to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.
Program-specific Application requirements
When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references. For programs requiring two letters of recommendation, you are welcome to enter an optional third reference.
You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.
Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.
Applicants to the Art Department must electronically upload a portfolio of representative work for evaluation. Portfolios must be directly uploaded to the application after submission. Portfolios should consist of 15 images of recent artwork that represent a cohesive body of work. Applicants must include the title, size, year, and medium for all 15 images that are included in the portfolio. Performance and/or video artists may submit work that is no longer than 3 minutes in length.
Provide a one-page artist statement (no longer than 500 words). Please upload this statement after the submission of the application.