Application Process

The Graduate School application, includes the following sections that must be submitted electronically:

  • Personal statement (background on your studies, your goals after receiving your Ph.D. degree, and why you would like to enroll in the program);
  • Academic writing samples (non-academic samples will be accepted under certain conditions); and
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae;
  • Unofficial copies of your undergraduate and master transcripts.


Your references also will be required to upload their own letters of recommendation via the ApplyYourself system. Instructions are provided.

Do not e-mail or send via post/overnight service, transcripts or other hard-copy application materials to the CRDM office unless requested.

Carefully prepare your materials before uploading. We recommend that you covert all application files (your transcript copies and writing samples) into PDFs for upload. Other file types may not upload properly. The NC State Graduate School provides CRDM faculty with your application and all related, uploaded material. If you are accepted into the program, the Graduate School will ask you to contact the university/universities where you received your degrees and ask that official transcripts to be sent directly to the Graduate School.

The online application form includes the following sections that also must be submitted electronically by January 14 for fall admission the following year:

  • Applicant information;
  • Residency and English proficiency information (your legal residence, if you wish to qualify for the in-state tuition rate, and your English proficiency, if you are not a native speaker)
  • Contact information;
  • Application (what degree, financial aid, and semester you are applying for); 
  • Education history;
  • Personal statement (your goals, research interests, and relevant experience that qualify you for this program);
  • Names and addresses of three persons who will provide recommendations for you (the recommenders must submit their letters online unless granted an exception through the Graduate School, as described here); please choose recommenders who can speak specifically to your academic abilities;


The following materials must be uploaded to the Graduate School’s online system as separate file attachments:

  • Personal statement (background on your studies, your goals after receiving your Ph.D. degree, and why you would like to enroll in the program);
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae;
  • Academic writing samples (non-academic samples will be accepted under certain conditions); and
  • Unofficial copies of your undergraduate and master's transcripts.


The following supporting materials must be submitted separately to the Graduate School as indicated in the online instructions:

  • Official report of TOEFL scores if you did not receive your master’s degree in the United States;
  • Unofficial transcripts of from all colleges and universities previously attended;
  • Non-refundable application fee (see the Graduate School site for current costs [note Step 3])

The NC State Graduate School provides CRDM faculty with your application and all related, uploaded material. If you are accepted into the program, the Graduate School will ask you to contact the university/universities where you received your degrees and ask that official transcripts to be sent directly to the Graduate School.