GradCAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs

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What is GradCAS?

The Graduate Enrollment Management Centralized Application Service (GradCAS) simplifies the process of applying to graduate enrollment management programs. You start by selecting the programs you wish to apply to, then you submit one application that includes all necessary materials. Once received by GradCAS, your application and materials are transmitted to all of your selected programs.

Start your application at https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/.

Watch our video about the 2026-2027 application:

Watch our video about the 2025-2026 application:

How long does the application process take?

It's important you apply as early as possible since completing your application can be a lengthy process, and since application processing times vary throughout the cycle. Below is a suggested timeline that includes key actions to keep the application process on track. This timeline may need to be adjusted based on your programs' deadlines and requirements.

Timeline	Key Actions
Prior to the Start of the Application Process	Research programs you wish to apply to. Pay special attention to: Cycle dates and deadline requirements. Application fees. Recommendation requirements. Minimum requirements, including prerequisites, standardized test scores, supplemental applications, foreign evaluations, etc. Begin contacting potential recommenders to confirm their participation. Review the instructions in this Help Center.
At Least 3 Months Prior to Deadline	Create your account. Complete the Colleges Attended section, and review each program's transcript requirements. Some programs may require that you send official transcripts to GradCAS, some may require unofficial transcripts, and others might not require any transcripts. Review each program's Coursework Entry requirements. Some programs may require that you enter all of your coursework, some may require that you enter only prerequisite coursework, and others might not require that you enter any coursework. If required by your programs, request your recommenders in the Program Materials section.
At Least 10-12 Weeks Prior to Deadline	If required by your programs, ask your schools to send official transcripts directly to GradCAS (you may also need to request that transcripts be sent to you if a program requires that you enter your coursework). If there are any holds on your account at a school, resolve them now to avoid delays in sending transcripts. If applicable, begin entering coursework into your application. Check in with your recommenders to confirm that they received the recommendation request via email.
At Least 6-8 Weeks Prior to Deadline	If applicable for programs, send official test scores to GradCAS. Submit your application. Monitor your application for receipt of all required transcripts and letters of recommendation and follow up on any missing items.
At Least 4-6 Weeks Prior to Deadline	Continue monitoring your application until your status is Complete.
After Deadline	Download a copy of your application for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Coursework, Transcripts, and GPAs	Programs and Statuses	Fees and Payments
Do I need to send transcripts? Each program decides if you need to submit official or unofficial transcripts. Review each program's transcript requirements under Colleges Attended. Where do I find the Transcript ID Form? For the 2026-2027 cycle: the Transcript ID Form is available in the Academic Records section after you click Order and select the option to mail paper transcripts. For the 2025-2026 cycle: the Transcript ID Form is found in the Colleges Attended section, after you submit a college or university entry. Should I send my high school transcripts? No. My transfer credits are listed on my primary transcript. Do I still need to send all transcripts? You must report all colleges and universities attended, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript. Review each program's transcript requirements under Colleges Attended. How do I know what my primary institution is? Your primary institution is the college or university where you earned or will earn your first undergraduate college degree. Do I really have to enter all coursework? Each program decides if you need to enter all coursework, prerequisites, or no coursework. Review each program's coursework requirements under Coursework Entry. How do I list my repeated courses? For the 2026-2027 cycle: GradCAS considers a course to be repeated if you enrolled in the same course (with the same course title and prefix) again at the same college or university. Report all attempts of repeated coursework (including those that are currently in-progress or planned) and be sure to mark them as repeated. Enter the number of credit hours attempted for each course, regardless of how many credits were actually earned. For the 2025-2026 cycle: GradCAS considers a course to be repeated if you enrolled in the same course (with the same course title and prefix) again at the same college or university. Report all attempts of repeated coursework (including those that are currently in-progress or planned) and be sure to mark them as repeated during Transcript Review. Enter the number of credit hours attempted for each course, regardless of how many credits were actually earned. Should I include foreign coursework in the Coursework Entry section? No.	How do I remove a program? For the 2026-2027 cycle: your application must always have at least one program selected. To remove a program, click the checkmark next to the program name on the Add Program page or from the My Programs page, click the three dots next to the program, and select Remove Program. For the 2025-2026 cycle: your application must always have at least one program selected. To remove a program, click the checkmark next to the program name on the Add Program tab or click the trash icon on the Submit Application tab. Can I apply to more programs after I submit my application? Yes, if the program's deadline date has not yet passed and the application cycle is open. Should I submit my application if I'm still waiting on transcripts, recommendations, and/or official test scores? Yes. You can submit your application before your transcripts, recommendations, and/or official test scores are received by GradCAS. Will GradCAS update me on the status of my application? For the 2026-2027 cycle: Your application status for each program is listed on the My Programs page. Additionally, you can view your overall application status from the CAS Status section at the top of the application. GradCAS will notify you when official transcripts, recommendations, and official test scores are received, and when your application is verified. For the 2025-2026 cycle: your application status for each program is listed in the Check Status section of the application. GradCAS will notify you when official transcripts, recommendations, and official test scores are received. When will I learn about admissions decisions? Did I get in!? You must reach out to your program(s) to learn about a school's admissions decisions.	Is there any other way to pay other than by credit card? For the 2026-2027 cycle: we accept payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover) and PayPal, Venmo, and Flywire. For the 2025-2026 cycle: we currently only accept payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). I want a refund. What do I need to do? Refunds are not given for any reason. Review Refunding/Withdrawing Your GradCAS Application for more information.

Coursework, Transcripts, and GPAs

Programs and Statuses

Fees and Payments

Do I need to send transcripts?: Each program decides if you need to submit official or unofficial transcripts. Review each program's transcript requirements under Colleges Attended.

Where do I find the Transcript ID Form?

For the 2026-2027 cycle: the Transcript ID Form is available in the Academic Records section after you click Order and select the option to mail paper transcripts.

For the 2025-2026 cycle: the Transcript ID Form is found in the Colleges Attended section, after you submit a college or university entry.

Should I send my high school transcripts?: No.

My transfer credits are listed on my primary transcript. Do I still need to send all transcripts?: You must report all colleges and universities attended, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript. Review each program's transcript requirements under Colleges Attended.

How do I know what my primary institution is?: Your primary institution is the college or university where you earned or will earn your first undergraduate college degree.

Do I really have to enter all coursework?: Each program decides if you need to enter all coursework, prerequisites, or no coursework. Review each program's coursework requirements under Coursework Entry.

How do I list my repeated courses?

For the 2026-2027 cycle: GradCAS considers a course to be repeated if you enrolled in the same course (with the same course title and prefix) again at the same college or university.

Report all attempts of repeated coursework (including those that are currently in-progress or planned) and be sure to mark them as repeated. Enter the number of credit hours attempted for each course, regardless of how many credits were actually earned.

For the 2025-2026 cycle: GradCAS considers a course to be repeated if you enrolled in the same course (with the same course title and prefix) again at the same college or university.

Report all attempts of repeated coursework (including those that are currently in-progress or planned) and be sure to mark them as repeated during Transcript Review. Enter the number of credit hours attempted for each course, regardless of how many credits were actually earned.

Should I include foreign coursework in the Coursework Entry section?: No.

How do I remove a program?

For the 2026-2027 cycle: your application must always have at least one program selected. To remove a program, click the checkmark next to the program name on the Add Program page or from the My Programs page, click the three dots next to the program, and select Remove Program.

For the 2025-2026 cycle: your application must always have at least one program selected. To remove a program, click the checkmark next to the program name on the Add Program tab or click the trash icon on the Submit Application tab.

Can I apply to more programs after I submit my application?: Yes, if the program's deadline date has not yet passed and the application cycle is open.

Should I submit my application if I'm still waiting on transcripts, recommendations, and/or official test scores?: Yes. You can submit your application before your transcripts, recommendations, and/or official test scores are received by GradCAS.

Will GradCAS update me on the status of my application?

For the 2026-2027 cycle: Your application status for each program is listed on the My Programs page. Additionally, you can view your overall application status from the CAS Status section at the top of the application. GradCAS will notify you when official transcripts, recommendations, and official test scores are received, and when your application is verified.

For the 2025-2026 cycle: your application status for each program is listed in the Check Status section of the application. GradCAS will notify you when official transcripts, recommendations, and official test scores are received.

When will I learn about admissions decisions? Did I get in!?: You must reach out to your program(s) to learn about a school's admissions decisions.

Is there any other way to pay other than by credit card?

For the 2026-2027 cycle: we accept payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover) and PayPal, Venmo, and Flywire.

For the 2025-2026 cycle: we currently only accept payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover).

I want a refund. What do I need to do?: Refunds are not given for any reason. Review Refunding/Withdrawing Your GradCAS Application for more information.