OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ROOM 121 1400 WASHINGTON AVE. ALBANY, NY 12222

518-442-3980 518-442-3922 (fax) [email protected] https://www.albany.edu

INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Thank you for your interest in the University at Albany. The University at Albany welcomes students from other countries, and annually enrolls approximately 750 students representing nearly seventy nations. All international applicants must apply through the Graduate Admissions Office at UAD 121, 1400 Washington Avenue. Applicants must possess the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. Applicants from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh must possess a bachelor's degree in engineering or medicine or a master's degree in any other field. Students who have not completed all first degree requirements and students completing programs that are not considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree are not considered for admission to our graduate programs.

The University maintains highly competitive standards for admission, and you are encouraged to return the enclosed application only if your academic record is superior with standings such as First Class and honors. The application should not be returned unless you will be able to pay the required application fee. The fee is not waived or deferred and applications are not processed until payment is received. Please be aware that application materials can not be returned and credentials will not be forwarded to any other address.

REQUIRED STANDARDIZED TESTS
The enclosed documents indicate the standardized tests required by each academic department. English proficiency must be adequate to ensure success in a rigorous academic program. For students whose native language is other than English, the scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are the basis for this evaluation. Students enrolled as full-time students for a minimusm of two semesters in U.S. colleges do not have to submit TOEFL results.

The minimum TOEFL score required by most programs is 213, although a number of academic departments require significantly higher results. The Department of Psychology also requires the results of the Test of Written English and the Test of Spoken English. The Department of Sociology and School of Social Welfare require the Test of Spoken English for all international applicants.

COST OF STUDY
The figures below represent estimated costs. They are only an estimate and are subject to change. The University at Albany cannot take responsibility for any changes in the indicated figures. The expenses outlined below include only student expenses. You should plan for an additional $4,500 annually for each dependent who accompanies you to Albany.

COST FOR ONE CALENDAR YEAR
Tuition	$10,522
Housing	5,034
Meals	2,618
University Fees and Health Insurance	1,048.75
Books and Supplies	950
Miscellaneous Expenses	1,900
	$22,072.75

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The University does consider a few first year graduate students for assistantships which include a stipend and a tuition scholarship. The University is unable to provide any other financial assistance to prospective graduate international students. It is, therefore, essential that students provide an honest and accurate declaration of funding on the Financial Affidavit included with this application. Falsificaton of documentation relating to available funds is a serious violation which will result in denial of an applicant's request to study here, or removal from the univeristy. Graduate students who are awarded assistantships are members of the State University Graduate Student Negotiating Unit, which is represented by the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU). The terms and conditions of employment for Assistants are governed by the collectively negotiated agreement between New York State and the GSEU. Current benefits include health insurance, minimum stipends, general salary increases, and a grievance and arbitration procedure.

General Information
The University at Albany is a center of higher education in the Northeast and one of only four graduate research University Centers in the SUNY system. Enrolling approximately 17,000 students, (5,000 graduate students and 12,000 undergraduate students), the University is noted for academic excellence and a commitment to access and diversity. Nationally and internationally renowned scholars are among some 630 full-time faculty members who continue to maintain the high academic standards that have characterized the University at Albany since its founding in 1844 as the State's first state-chartered public institution of higher education. More than 2,000 full-time graduate students and 3,000 part-time graduate students study in programs leading to advanced certificates and master's and doctoral degrees.

The University, located in New York State's Capital Region, is within a few hours ride of Boston, New York City and Montreal. Air, bus, and rail terminals are within five miles of the University, and major U.S. interstate highways are only minutes away. Because Albany is the country's largest government center outside of Washington, D.C., graduate students have opportunities for internships and access to the vast resources of the nation's largest state government. The Capital Region includes the cities of Albany, Troy, and Schenectady, which together have a culturally diverse population of about 750,000. The area is home to 15 colleges and universities, including Albany Medical College, Albany Law School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Graduate students may cross-register for courses and use the library and research facilities of many of these institutions. The Capital District is at the heart of a region remarkable for its natural beauty and cultural resources. The Adirondacks, the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River, is nearby. The Green Mountains of Vermont provide first-class skiing. Campus community members also enjoy hiking, camping, white-water rafting, and golf. Nearby theatre, music, and art venues include the internationally known Saratoga Performing Arts Center, summer home to the New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra; the celebrated Saratoga Racetrack; Tanglewood, summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra; and Williamstown, Massachusetts. The 17,000-seat Knickerbocker Arena in downtown Albany offers concerts and sporting events.

GRADUATE STUDENT SERVICES

Graduate Student Organization
The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is a not-for-profit organization created in 1990 to serve the needs of graduate students at the University at Albany. Among its services, the travel and research grants committee provides money to qualifying graduate students. To date, approximately $60,000 in research and travel grants have been awarded, and more than $30,000 have been given 25 various graduate student groups through GSO's allocation and general fund. The GSO also offers a multicultural environment through International Thanksgiving Dinner, workshops, seminars, conferences, and brings distinguished speakers to enhance graduate student's awareness of cultural diversity. Among other services are: the Job Fair, social networking, fundraising, GSO newsletter, and mentoring for undergraduate students. Further information is available by contacting GSO, Performing Arts Center, Room 209.

Health Care & Counseling Services
The University Health Center provides routine medical services year round for all enrolled students. A mandatory Student Health Fee covers most of the services offered at the Health Center. In addition, enrollment in the voluntary Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan is available for students wanting more extensive medical coverage. Students employed as Teaching, Graduate, or Research Assistants may also be eligible for the Student Employee Health Plan. Dependent coverage is available through these plans. Psychological services including short-term counseling, assessment, and referral are available for enrolled students through the University Counseling Center. Center services are provided to help students achieve their educational goals and are available to all enrolled students. In addition, the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program provides a crisis hotline and peer education services.

Housing
On-campus housing facilities are provided for approximately 6,000 students. Among housing options available to graduate students are Freedom Quad, an apartment-style complex which offers a quiet, convenient environment for graduate and upper-class students on the Uptown Campus, and Waterbury Hall, a more traditional residence hall, located near the Downtown Campus. The University maintains shuttle bus service between the two campuses. Both locations are also serviced by the Capital District's public transportation authority. The Off-Campus Housing Office provides information on available off-campus housing facilities, and provides assistance with renting apartments.

International Student Services
The Office of International Student Services is the resource center for the University's nonimmigrant international students and visitors. Services provided include cultural and academic orientation, coordination of social events and the Language Partners Program, and continued counseling for immigration, personal, and University procedural concerns. For more information, please contact the Office of International Student Services, University Library 66, Albany, NY 12222 .