Documents Required for the Application Process to the Design & Merchandising
Graduate Program 

The following is a list of documents that must be submitted to the Department before you will be considered for admission to the Graduate School at Colorado State University.

If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Ogle (Jennifer.Ogle@Colostate.edu, 970-491-3794), or the graduate program assistant Nancy Hertel (nancy.hertel@colostate.edu, 970-491-7890). We wish you the utmost success in your graduate school endeavors. If we can be of assistance in answering your questions, please let us know.

Specific instructions for the submission of each document are included within the on-line application form (GS1) (http://graduateschool.colostate.edu/index.asp?url=apply). Other helpful information is available at the Graduate School website, http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Grad/, and the Office of International Programs website, http://www.international.colostate.edu/.

Document Explanation
Application (GS1 or GSF1)

If you are a domestic applicant (i.e., are a resident of the United States), you will complete the GS1 application form. If you are an international applicant (i.e., are a resident of a country other than the United States), you will complete the GSF1 application form. You may submit the application form by using the Colorado State University home page

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Grad/


Your application is not considered complete until the fee is received.
Applicants - Track I Track I applicants are persons with fewer than five years professional experience. Applicants in this category are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). There in no need to indicate this track on your application; it is assumed.
Applicants - Track II Applicants with at least five years of professional experience in the area they wish to pursue graduate study may apply under Track II. Instead of taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the student is to submit a detailed resume. It is suggested that the student submit a lengthier resume than normal. The goal is to provide evidence of your relevant work experience. In business, we emphasize having a one-page resume. For Track II - - think length - - talk about yourself and your experiences. If you are submitting a hard copy application and are applying as a Track II applicant, clearly write "Track II" at the upper left hand corner of your application. If you are submitting an on-line application, please indicate in the appropriate box that you are a Track II applicant.
Biographical statement A Statement of Purpose is requested for two reasons. The first reason is to verify that you are applying to the correct department. We want to make sure that we can help guide you to satisfy your goals. Another purpose for the biographical statement is to evaluate your communication skills. The successful completion of graduate work relies heavily on the ability to communicate one's thoughts in written form. Please be sure to address the relevance of your work experience to your goals for graduate study.
Financial statement (for International students only) All international students are required to provide a financial statement to Colorado State University.
Funding: GTA application On the application, you will find an area to mark interest in graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) or graduate research assistantship (GRA).
GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for Track I applicants. Track I applicants have fewer than five years professional work experience. Persons in this category are required to take the GRE. If you have not done so yet, please consider purchasing a GRE study-guide. Students have found them to be very helpful when studying for the exam.
Letters of Reference You will need to submit three letters of recommendation with your application. Please click here for the recommendation form. Recommendation forms should be submitted by your references directly to the Graduate Secretary (the address is included on the form).
Portfolio

Interior Design Applicants: Applicants who have prior coursework or professional experience in interior design are required to submit a portfolio to support their application. Portfolios may be submitted in hard copy, slide, or CD formats. Students who do not have coursework or professional experience in interior design (i.e., those who are pursuing a first professional graduate degree) do not need to submit a portfolio.


Apparel Design Applicants: Applicants who have prior coursework or professional experience in apparel design are encouraged to submit a portfolio to support their application. Portfolios may be submitted in hard copy, slide, or CD formats. However, a portfolio is not required, and a student's application will not be undermined if he/she does not send one.


Not applicable for students with other interests
Transcripts Official transcripts are required. To obtain two copies of an official transcript, call or write to your school and request the transcripts be sent directly to Department of Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1574, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1574.
TOEFL (international students only) TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. "Students are required to earn a score of 213 (computer-based) or 550 (paper-based). The Department does not accept students on a conditional basis.