Frequently Asked Questions

The following are frequently asked questions from applicants and accepted students. If you cannot find your answer here, feel free to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 516-463-4723.

• How does the application process work?

  Our graduate application process is now completed entirely online, available at www.hofstra.edu/gradapply. All documents, including letters of recommendation and transcripts (see question below), are now submitted digitally. Consult the Graduate Bulletin at bulletin.hofstra.edu for the specific admission requirements and supplemental documents for your program.

  Once the online application allows you to submit, your application is sent to the program director of the program which you are applying to for review. After a decision has been made, you will receive an official letter of notification from the Dean of Graduate Admissions.

• How do I submit my transcripts?

  Hofstra University requires an unofficial transcript from each school you have attended submitted digitally as part of the application process. Typically, the transcripts that are submitted to us digitally are scans of print transcripts. Once you have been accepted into a program, you will be required to send an official, sealed transcript with proof of degree conferral indicated to our office at the following mailing address:

  Hofstra University
  Office of Graduate Admissions
  105 Memorial Hall
  Hempstead, NY 11549

  Further contact information is available at this link.

• What happens if my documents are too big to upload?

  An explanation of how to shrink PDF and MS Word files can be found here.

• How long does it take for an admissions decision to be made?

  Each department operates on their own schedule, so decision times will vary depending on your program.

• What if I forgot or never received my username and/or password for the Hofstra Portal?

  Contact Hofstra University’s Help Desk at 516-463-7777.

• How can I schedule a tour of campus?

  Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to set up an appointment with one of the graduate assistants who will show you around campus.

• What programs require a tuition deposit?

  Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology and any program in the Frank G. Zarb School of Business require non-refundable tuition deposits. Consult the Graduate Bulletin for your program’s requirements.

• What does “Rolling Admissions” mean?

  Many programs at Hofstra University feature rolling admissions, meaning there is no specific deadline to apply by; applications are reviewed and decisioned as they are received.  If a program has a specific deadline, it will be listed in our Graduate Bulletin.

• How do letters of recommendation work for the online application?

  Hofstra’s online application provides for the electronic submission of letters of reference. You must input the names and contact information for each provider in order to submit your application. Once you have added this information, the system will contact your recommender via e-mail with instructions on how to complete a recommendation for Hofstra University.

  Please note that our office does not accept paper letters of recommendation.

• How do I find out more information about the GRE and where I can take it?

  You should visit www.ets.org.

• How do I find out more information about the GMAT and where I can take it?

  You should visit www.mba.com.

• What is Hofstra’s school code for the standardized tests?

  When you take a standardized test, code 2295 will send us your scores.

• Is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required?

  The TOEFL is required if your native language is not English. However, the TOEFL requirements will be waived if you can prove that you earned your bachelor's degree in a university/college in the United States or one of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec/Montreal), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Greenland, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, and US Virgin Islands.

• Do you accept IELTS test scores?

  Yes - students may submit either IELTS or TOEFL scores. The minimum IELTS score for the university is 6.5, but some programs may have higher requirements.

• What is the minimum TOEFL score?

  The minimum TOEFL score for the university is 80, but some programs may have higher requirements.

• How many credits are considered full time?

  Full-time students must take a minimum of 9 credits per semester.

• How can I speak with an advisor?

  You can contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 516-463-4723. In addition, our office frequently holds Graduate Open Houses where prospective students are given the opportunity to meet with representatives from the departments they are interested in, as well as representatives from Graduate Admissions.

  You can also find out when graduate representatives will be in your area by visiting our Hofstra Near You page.

• How does Financial Aid work?

  You can visit the office of Student Financial Services by calling 516-463-8000 for more information.