These tabs supplement information found throughout the Prospective Students section, particularly the Steps to Admission and Program Summaries.
Application Status
Status Overall
MyRED tells you the status of your application in the Office of Graduate Studies and enables you to see which items required by Graduate Studies have been received. See About MyRED for step-by-step instructions.
Beyond GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS scores, MyRED does not track program-specific materials required by departments.
If MyRED indicates that your application has been forwarded to your academic department for review, Graduate Studies is awaiting the department's recommendation. For more information on the status of your application in the department during this phase, refer to GAMES or contact the department directly.
Status Within Your Department
Does your department use GAMES?
The Graduate Admission Management and Evaluation System (GAMES) is an online system for managing supplemental application materials for departments and students. GAMES is used for many programs, but not yet all of them. You can see whether a program uses GAMES by checking the department requirements section of the graduate program summary. Applicants to GAMES programs will receive an email after submitting the Online Application for Admission, explaining how to log in and use GAMES.
Programs not yet using GAMES have their own processes for collecting and managing program-specific application materials. Contact your department directly to verify the completeness of your application.
Department requirements in general
Each department has its own unique evaluation process and most require additional items to supplement the basic materials required by the Office of Graduate Studies. These additional requirements are different for each department. To find out what items are required by your department, check your department's graduate program summary.
Your department is the best source of information about how, when, and where to send application materials. If your department's instructions differ from those stated here, please work with them, making certain that the Office of Graduate Studies receives required documents.
For fastest processing, apply online and upload transcripts to MyRED. Send all other materials to the department. If you prefer, you may also send all your application materials together in one envelope to the Office of Graduate Studies and we will forward supporting materials to the department.
Departmental materials are not tracked by the Office of Graduate Studies or in MyRED. No departmental materials are evaluated by the Office of Graduate Studies.
Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation are a departmental application requirement. Therefore, your department is the best source of information if you have questions.
- If your department uses GAMES for managing applications, you'll enter your letter writers' contact information in GAMES and tell GAMES to email them a link for completing your recommendation online.
- Other departments may have a procedure for online submission or ask that you mail letters signed and sealed to the department mailing address. There is a general letter of recommendation form that some departments use, but check your department's graduate program summary for exact requirements.
Application Processing Fee
A non-refundable application processing fee of $50 (U.S. currency) is required of every applicant in order for requests for admission to be considered.
Some returning students are exempt from this fee. To see if you may be exempt, use our interactive fee rules on this page.
If you send your payment by mail or if a friend or relative pays your fee for you, be sure that your identifying information — full name (as written on your application), NU ID number, date of birth — is enclosed with the payment to match it to your application.
We accept payment in these forms:- Credit card. To ensure secure and prompt processing service, choose the credit card option on the online application. Our server is secure and your payment information will be protected.
- Check or money order. Payment must be in U.S. dollars and checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Make checks payable to "University of Nebraska-Lincoln" and mail to:
Office of Graduate Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1100 Seaton Hall
Lincoln NE 68588-0619 - Cash. Cash payments can be made only in person at the Office of Graduate Studies. Please do not send cash by mail.
Social Security Numbers
Protecting our students' personal information is very important to us. We request the Social Security number (SSN) once from new applicants, store it securely in a location accessible only by authorized personnel, and issue each individual a University of Nebraska NU ID number. The NU ID number, not the SSN, is used to identify students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Why the University uses SSNs
The SSN is required by the federal government for reporting related to taxes, employment, and financial aid.If the University does not have a SSN on file for a student, that student:
- Cannot receive University payments for assistantships or fellowships.
- Cannot defer student loans or get financial aid.
- Will be subject to a $50 IRS penalty if a Form 1098-T is generated without a valid SSN.
Once you've provided your SSN to the University, you shouldn't need to provide it to us again. If you already have an NU ID number, we encourage you to use your NU ID instead of your SSN in any communication with us.
Students without SSNs
International (non-resident alien) students usually do not have SSNs. They will need SSNs if they are granted fellowships or assistantships or are otherwise employed by the University. Those students will be able to get SSNs after arriving on campus.
Applying to Multiple Programs
Students may apply to multiple programs but can be admitted to only one program unless a joint program has been established. When applying to two or more degree programs, submit an online application and a $50 application processing fee for each program.
Academic Transcripts
Transcripts are required from each college-level institution attended, listing courses completed and marks earned, as well as degrees conferred.
Transcripts provided to Graduate Studies will be shared with your academic department if you're applying for a graduate certificate or degree program.
The basics
- Upload your transcripts via MyRED.
- If also using GAMES, allow 1-2 business days for transcripts uploaded to MyRED to appear in GAMES.
- Don't mail paper transcripts to UNL until we ask for them. Uploaded transcripts are sufficient for application review.
Video summary
This 5-minute video provides a quick, simple summary of the instructions on this page.
For additional playback options, including download, view this video on MediaHub.
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Transcript requirements
Unofficial transcripts
New for 2012: Transcripts uploaded in MyRED by applicants are used for application review.
Uploaded transcripts are considered unofficial. Admission based on uploaded transcripts is provisional and contingent upon receipt of official transcripts within a specified timeframe.
We do not accept transcripts by email or fax.
Official transcripts
Official transcripts are required from all admitted and enrolled students.
- Official transcripts must be sent from each institution directly to the Office of Graduate Studies, either on paper or electronically.
- If official records are not received, the University will not allow further enrollment.
- Admission may be rescinded if discrepancies exist between uploaded transcripts and official documents.
Academic records will be accepted as official only if they have been certified by appropriate university officials. Photocopies of certified documents are not considered official. Faxed documents, scanned documents, notarized photocopies, and copies made by translators or evaluation agencies are not considered official.
Other considerations
UNL coursework: Former UNL graduate or undergraduate students do not need to submit transcripts for prior UNL coursework. Graduate Studies will obtain any necessary UNL transcripts.
Degrees in progress: Students working on another degree program at the time of application to UNL should submit transcripts from their current degree program, even though the transcripts will not yet be final. Final transcripts must be submitted once enrollment at the other institution ends. Transcripts (or degree certificates if non-US) indicating degree conferral are required if the degree is awarded.
English translations: If transcripts or diplomas issued by a school are not in English, send certified English translations of all pages. Translations should be word-for-word and in the same layout as the original documents. English translations do not replace transcripts issued in other languages. Both English translations and original-language transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.
International institutions: Send certified copies of yearly marks, plus diplomas or degree certificates showing the name of each degree and the date of conferral. Students with Bologna-compliant degrees should include the Diploma Supplement.
International transfers: International applicants holding F-1 visas should notify the Office of Graduate Studies if they are currently attending another U.S. school or have recently attended another U.S. school. Upon admission to UNL, SEVIS requires that you ask your current or recent school to "release" your record to UNL. Only then can UNL process a new Form I-20.
Uploading your unofficial transcripts
How to prepare your file
Basic technical requirements
- File must be PDF, JPG, or PNG format.
- File must be under 2 MB.
- If image-based: Image should be no more than 1200 pixels tall or wide. Black and white strongly preferred over color or greyscale.
Content requirements
- Student name and school name must appear on transcripts. If either is missing, get a more complete version of the transcript.
- If multiple degrees from same school: MyRED accepts only one upload per school, so put all records (marks sheets, translations, degree certificates) from that school in a single file.
- If multiple schools: Each file should contain only 1 school's records. If you have transcripts from 2 schools, put them in 2 separate files.
- Social Security Numbers: If your SSN appears on your transcript, you may obscure or redact your SSN (and only your SSN) prior to uploading. We redact all SSNs from transcript files upon receipt.
Tips for preparing your file
- If the institution provides PDF transcripts: Just save the PDF on your computer.
- If you can view your transcript in a web browser:
- Try "Save as PDF" or "Print to PDF".
- If you have to click through multiple screens to get all of it, it may work better to copy each screen and paste it into another document (like Word), then save as PDF.
- If you have only a paper copy of the transcript:
- Scanning: If you have a scanner or combination scanner-printer (or a friend who'll let you borrow one), you're in good shape. Otherwise try your local library or copyshop, and unless you plan to do your upload from there too, remember to bring a flash drive or have another way to bring the file home with you.
- Digital photo: Not recommended but potentially acceptable.
How to upload
- Sign into MyRED. On the Applicant tab, select Graduate Application Status.
- If you have more than one application, make sure the relevant one is selected.
- Click the "Browse" or "Choose File" button for the transcript you want to upload, then select your file.
- Different browsers label this button with different text.
- If the school you're looking for is not listed, contact Graduate Studies.
- If the school is listed but has no Upload button, the document is not eligible for upload, most likely because we already have an official or unofficial copy on file.
- Click the Upload button.
- If your upload is successful, the Upload column will show a timestamp and say your file is pending review by Graduate Studies.
- If you get an error message about file format or file size, make sure your file meets the technical requirements listed above. Adjust your file as needed and try the upload again.
- If you get an empty white screen, your file is probably way too big. Resize and try again.
- Each uploaded file will be checked before it is added to your application materials.
- If the file is not legible enough or is missing your name or the name of the institution, we'll contact you with suggestions for resubmitting it.
After you upload
If you wish to withdraw or replace a file you've uploaded, contact us. MyRED does not enable you to modify your files after upload.
If you're having trouble
If this is difficult for you, please contact us and we may be able to provide additional information to help you. We intend this shift to unofficial uploaded transcripts as a convenience for our applicants — saving time, postage, and (in some cases) the expense of obtaining official transcripts.
We prefer to receive all unofficial transcripts via MyRED, but we recognize that circumstances and resources differ. If you are unable to upload your transcript, you may mail an official paper copy to Graduate Studies. Do not send your transcript to us by email (for security reasons) or fax (for legibility reasons).
Deadlines
Degree-seeking
Each academic department has its own application deadline. To find the deadline for your department, locate your department's graduate program summary.
We recommend submitting all materials to the Office of Graduate Studies at least one month before the departmental deadline.
For departments with "Rolling Admission" or with no deadline, we recommend submitting all materials no later than:
- January 7 to be considered for financial support in the coming academic year
- March 1 for fall (August start)
- September 1 for spring (January start)
- February 1 for summer (June or July start)
Graduate Certificate
Each graduate certificate program has its own application deadline. To find the deadline for your program, locate your program's graduate certificate summary.
We recommend submitting all materials to the Office of Graduate at least one month before the stated deadline. For programs with "Rolling Admission" or no deadline, we recommend submitting materials at least one month prior to when you wish to enroll for classes. Contact the certificate program for more information.
Non-degree
There are no deadlines for non-degree admission.
We recommend submitting all materials to the Office of Graduate Studies at least two weeks before you wish to register for classes. Refer to the academic calendar for dates of open enrollment, the last day to register without a fee, and the first day of fall and spring semesters as well as all summer sessions.
Non-degree Express Admission
Also known as Temporary Clearance to Register for UNL Graduate Studies
Express admission allows a student to register for classes for one semester without waiting for the Office of Graduate Studies to receive transcripts.
Applicants requesting Express Admission must:- be applying for non-degree post-baccalaureate admission
- have earned a bachelor's degree or more advanced degree
- have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
The admission may be extended beyond one term only upon receipt of an official degree transcript.
By checking the "Express Admission" box on the Online Application for Graduate Admission, you indicate that you meet the above qualifications and wish to apply for express admission.
For information on billing or on potential refunds due to cancellation or withdrawal, consult the Office of Student Accounts.