Instructions for International Applicants

Welcome International Students!

The University at Buffalo is New York's premier public center for graduate and professional education and the state's largest and most comprehensive public university. Learn more about this institution! It is located in Buffalo, New York, the city with something for everyone.

We extend a special welcome to our Canadian neighbors who are interested in pursuing graduate studies at the University at Buffalo.

International (non-US) applicants for graduate study in Geography must submit an International Graduate Application as required by the University and arrange to have submitted official copies of ALL transcripts, letters of recommendation, and scores of the required examinations as indicated below. This should be sent DIRECTLY to the Department of Geography. When your file is complete and, if you are accepted by the Department, we will forward this information to the International Admission Office.

The State University of New York requires a non-refundable fee of $35.00 for application to this degree of study. Please enclose a check or money order in the amount of $35.00 in U.S. currency (made out to "State University of New York at Buffalo"), and return it with the application to the address below, or pay electronically by credit card by providing the necessary information on the on-line application. No application to degree or certificate (matriculated) study can be processed without receipt of the $35.00 fee.

Send all written correspondence to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Geography
University at Buffalo - The State University of New York
105 Wilkeson Quadrangle
Buffalo, New York 14261
Phone: 1-716-645-2722
Fax: 1-716-645-2329

Questions and inquiries may be sent via email: geog-grad@buffalo.edu

General Admission Requirements

The UB Graduate School requires a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent for admission. While an applicant is expected to have a strong background as evidenced by the transcripts and a definite interest in Geography, a Bachelor's degree in Geography is not required. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores and three letters of recommendation are required for admission.

Financial Assistance

The application for admission also serves as an application for an assistantship and fellowship. If you wish to be considered for financial aid, please check the applicable box on the Application Form. Note that applications not completed by the following deadlines cannot be guaranteed consideration for financial aid:

Fall Admission By the previous February 1
Spring Admission By the previous October 1

Occasionally funds are still available after these deadlines but we strongly urge you to complete your application as soon as possible.

Financial Statement

All international applicants to the University at Buffalo-The State University of New York must document their ability to meet all educational and living expenses for the entire period of their intended study before the University can issue a Certificate of Visa Eligibility (Form I-20 or IAP-66). The International Applicant Financial Form (IAFS) and supporting materials should be submitted DIRECTLY to the Department of Geography. This form must be signed by the applicant, and if applicable, by a sponsor. Detailed instructions accompany the downloadable form. An original, signed bank statement, must be attached to this financial form and can NOT be more than one year from the date you are requesting admission. When your file is complete, and if you are accepted by the Department, we will forward this information to the International Admissions Office.

Many foreign students state on their financial statement that they have no money and that they cannot attend the University unless they receive a financial award (i.e., an assistantship). It should be noted that the Geography Department offers a limited number of Teaching and Research Assistantships. Therefore many students must pay their own expenses including tuition. It should also be noted that even if a foreign student receives a Departmental assistantship, the stipend and tuition waiver amount may not be sufficient to meet the minimum required for a Certificate of Visa Eligibility to be issued.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Requirement

The GRE is an important item in our evaluation of prospective graduate students. It is necessary that we have the results of the GRE exam before we make decisions on whether to admit applicants in our program. Therefore, please arrange to take the GRE examination and have the scores sent directly to us. This exam is seldom waived.

You should take the GRE General Test (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical). Please have your GRE scores reported directly by the Educational Testing Services. The Institution Code at Buffalo is 2925. Do not use any other Institution Code to report your test scores to this University.

Students intending to pursueing study in International Trade within the Geography Department can submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores instead of GRE scores. (If you are applying for the dual MA/MBA program, please note that the School of Management requires a GMAT.) To those students who are registering for the GMAT: Official scores will be sent to the School of Management. Please advise them to forward your scores to the Department of Geography when you receive your copy from ETS.

Foreign applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a recent Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. A score of 550 on the paper-base exam or 213 on the computer-based exam is required before the Department will consider your application for review. Please plan appropriately when scheduling this exam to allow enough time for the TOEFL to arrive in our department by our admission deadlines. Test scores that are more than two years old based on the beginning of the academic year will not be accepted.

Allow a minimum of 6 weeks after administration of the TOEFL for it to be received by our department. The institution code for the University at Buffalo - SUNY is #2925.

TOEFL is not required under the following conditions:

1. When the student is applying from the US and has a bachelor's or graduate degree and from a U.S. university and has a TOEFL of at 550 when he/she applied to that university;

2. When the applicant's home is an English speaking country: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (except those from the Province of Quebec), Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa (but only from Anglophones), Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (England, North Ireland, Scotland, and Wales).

The Department of Geography and/or the Graduate School reserves the right to request individuals to re-take the TOEFL upon entry to the University and/or register for an Intensive English class if they feel these requirements are not met to their satisfaction. All costs will be the student's responsibility.

The Department also ascertains any possible English language proficiency needs of American and permanent residents from non-English speaking countries, many of whom are recent arrivals in the U.S. It is recommended that students identified be referred to the English Language Institute for assessment and possible remedial instruction.

Date of Entrance

Please note the entrance date that you have specified on the Application Form. Our decisions regarding your admission and any considerations for financial assistance are based on your entering the Program on the date you have specified. If there is any change in your planned date of entrance, please notify the Director of Graduate Studies immediately in writing so that your application can be re-evaluated.

Admission Decisions

The Department's Graduate Studies Committee evaluates complete applications and makes admission decisions. If a decision not to offer admission is made, a letter to that effect will be sent to the applicant from the department. If the Graduate Studies Committee decides to extend an offer of admission, a letter confirming that offer of admission is sent. This letter may include information regarding any associated offer of financial assistance or support.

If Accepted, Submit Immunization Forms

The department provides the University's Office of Records and Registration with information about accepted applicants. Records and Registration will provide new students with registration information and a form for providing proof of immunization. New York State law requires that all registered college students born on or after January 1, 1957, show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Acknowledge Your Intent

Admission is not final until you have acknowledged your intent to enroll with the department and have followed any additional instructions the department has issued.

Watch for Orientation Information

Departments notify incoming students about departmental and campus-wide new student orientations.

Application Checklist

Please forward the following:

• The Department of Geography Graduate Application Form. This form can be obtained by printing out the PDF file accessible by clicking here. It can also be requested via mail or e-mail: geog-grad@buffalo.edu. The preferred way to apply is online. Go to the Interactive Graduate Application Site.
• An International Applicant Financial Statement sent DIRECTLY to the Department of Geography. This form can be obtained by printing out the PDF file accessible by clicking here.
• Official copies of ALL undergraduate and previous graduate study transcripts. Arrange to have an OFFICIAL transcript sent DIRECTLY from EVERY institution previously attended (undergraduate, summer and graduate) whether or not a degree was conferred, and whether or not credit is claimed for the work.
• Scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical segments of the Graduate Record Examination or, for application to the International Trade program, scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test. Please arrange for official copies of these examination results to be sent directly to us. The Institution Code at Buffalo is 2925. Applicants who are unable to provide such scores must petition the Director of Graduate Studies to have this requirement waived. Waivers are not automatic for any applicant.
• Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• Three letters of recommendation. Please arrange to have the letters sent directly to the Department. We prefer that you have your referees use our standard forms for their evaluations. This form can be obtained by printing out the PDF file accessible by clicking here.
• An essay, no longer than two typed pages, stating the reasons for desiring to undertake graduate study in Geography, the intended area(s) of specialization, and how you plan to put your graduate degree to use (career goals).
• Non-refundable fee of $35.00 for application to any Geography graduate degree program. Please enclose a check or money order in the amount of $35.00 in U.S. currency (made out to "State University of New York at Buffalo") or pay electronically by credit card by providing the necessary information on the on-line application.

NOTIFICATION STATEMENT FOR CAMPUSES NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE SUNY COMMON APPLICATION PROGRAM AND FOR GRADUATE, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PART-TIME ADMISSION

The Personal Privacy Protection Law requires this notice to be provided when collecting personal information from individuals. The information on this admission application will be used by SUNY at Buffalo to evaluate your request for admission. Failure to provide the requested information could prevent your application from being processed. The authority to request this information is found in Section 355(2)(i) of the Education Law.

This application information will be maintained in the Geography Office. The official responsible for the maintenance of this information is the Vice Chancellor for Employee Relations and Educational Service, State University of New York, State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246.