Graduate Study Plans and Processes for Fall 2020

These are uncertain times. But we remain committed to helping you start your graduate study. Syracuse University will be offering both in-residence and virtual options for students this Fall and we sincerely hope that you will be positioned to join us. In order to accommodate all of our admitted students, we are offering four distinct enrollment pathways so that you can select the one which is best for you.

  • Pathway 1 – Fall 2020 In-Residence
  • Pathway 2 – Fall 2020 Virtual Program
  • Pathway 3 – Spring 2021
  • Pathway 4 – Fall 2021
Details on Enrollment Pathways (PDF)

Choose your Pathway for Enrollment by July 1

Please follow these guidelines for the completion of the use the Enrollment Pathway Form :

  • If you have already deferred to a future term then you do not need to complete this form. (to confirm status, email Bridget Crary at bmcrary@syr.edu or iGrad@syr.edu)
  • If you are an international student and planning to attend Fall 2020, then please complete so we have an accurate count of those attending in Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
  • Any student who wants to enroll in Pathway 2 (Virtual Program) for Fall 2020 needs to complete.
  • If you defer to spring and you need to alter your selection, you will be able to defer to Fall 2021 in the future.

We know that due to travel bans and visa issues that you may need to change your plans in the future. Please let us know as soon as you are able so that we can properly prepare for your arrival.  We recognize that there will be special cases and unique situations and we welcome your questions and requests. Please send them to iGrad@syr.edu.

Complete the Enrollment Pathway Form

Deferral Policies

  1. Deferred admission may be granted for one (Spring 2021) or two semesters (Fall 2021).
  2. Deferred admission will only be honored to admitted students who have accepted the offer of admission by submitting the $500 non-refundable deposit and the Intent to Register (ITR) by the stated deadline.
  3. If an international student chooses to defer admission to a future term, then a new I20 will be sent to the student with the corrected dates.
  4. Students who matriculate at another institution are not eligible for deferral. Any deferred student who matriculates at another institution will lose deferred admission status.
  5. Students admitted to Syracuse University on a conditional basis due to English Language ability are eligible for deferral but must complete the language condition (see below for details).

Conditional Admission for English Language Institute

If you have received a conditional admission and are required to attend the English Language Institute (ELI), then you need to complete the program prior to the start of your academic studies. All Summer courses will be taught ONLINE. There are two levels of Conditional Admission with ELI:

  1. English for Information Professionals: this is a six week summer course which starts on June 26, 2020. This course is not taught in the Fall so if you plan to begin your academic program in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 then you need to attend this course. Once you have completed the registration process (including assessment) and deposited for ELI, then we will lift the condition and send the I20 so the visa process can be started. This course is optional for all iSchool admitted students who seek to improve English skills prior to the start of the term.
  2. Academic English: This is a semester based program and designed for students with all levels English instruction needs. The iSchool requires completion of Level 4 prior to starting the academic program.

For ELI registration or questions, please contact Jackie Monsour at jhmonsou@syr.edu or elimail@syr.edu.

If we requested that you complete IST 678 – Communications for Information Professionals then there is no action to be taken by you. This is an iSchool course which we offer to students who may benefit from enhanced communication skills. We issue a scholarship to cover the cost of this class so there is no charge to the student.

Scholarships or Tuition Awards

  1. Merit scholarship awards are typically not able to be deferred but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will allow deferral of all awards to Spring 2021.
  2. Any scholarship offered for 2020-21 academic year will not be deferred until 2021-22. Students who defer until Fall 2021 will be reviewed with the fall 2021 incoming students to earn scholarships.
  3. Students who enroll in our campus program but need to attend virtually for the Fall 2020 term will maintain awards.