Graduate Admissions Policies

An applicant may be accepted on a provisional basis if the applicant’s cumulative grade point average is below the 3.0 general admission requirement. The applicant may be required to take a graduate entrance exam (GRE) and must exhibit the ability for greater academic achievement. Applicants granted provisional acceptance will be admitted on Academic Probation which requires a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after the completion of the first trimester of study at The Seattle School, and may contain other recommendations such as participation in the Writing Workshop.

We highly value the whole of the life experience of each of our applicants. Each year, we are able to admit a limited number of students to our graduate programs who have not completed a traditional undergraduate degree, but whose life experience merits the ability to apply. Admission based on life experience is intended for those who have been prevented from accessing higher education due to extenuating circumstances or systemic barriers. Life Experience applicants granted acceptance will be admitted on Academic Probation which requires a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after the completion of the first trimester of study at The Seattle School, and may contain other recommendations such as participation in the Writing Workshop.

If you are a student outside the United States drawn to study with us at The Seattle School, we welcome you! International students are responsible for pursuing, securing, and maintaining appropriate student visa status through the United States government. Our Office of Enrollment is committed to coming alongside you as you pursue this course of study. To best support you, we encourage you to apply at least six months prior to enrollment.

In addition to completing the process for your graduate application, please provide the additional materials below:

• Proof of English Proficiency – English proficiency may be exhibited through satisfactory completion of the Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Duolingo English Test (DET), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Miller Analogy Test (MAT), or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This requirement may be waived if you received your education in an English-speaking institution.
• Transcript Translation – Transcript translation and/or grade conversion may be required to assist our Admissions Review Committee.
• Evidence of Financial Support – Complete the Evidence of Financial Support form and all required financial documents. This is a federal immigration requirement and the information provided here allows our Academics Office to support your student visa process. When you complete the form, please note the different costs of attendance between those who intend to relocate to the United States and those who will continue to reside in their country of origin. You will need to show evidence of financial support that is in keeping with your intended country of residence.

Due to the additional supporting documents needed for enrollment, International students must apply by February 1, 2025 in order to be considered for the upcoming Fall 2025 cohort.

Applying from Non-Accredited Institutions

The Seattle School accepts up to 15 semester hour transfer credits from other graduate-level programs.

• Transfer credits must have been completed at an accredited, graduate-level institution.
• Official transcript must indicate a grade of B (3.0 or higher) for coursework to count for graduate level transfer credit.
• Course content must be an 80% match for the parallel course at The Seattle School.
• Course work must be completed within five years of the application for the credits to transfer.
• Any previously earned graduate-level coursework must be submitted to the Registrar within your first two trimesters of study at The Seattle School to be considered for transfer credit.

To begin the process of transferring credits, submit your official transcript(s) for any relevant graduate-level coursework to the Admissions Team for initial assessment. The Registrar makes final decisions regarding transfer credit, with input from appropriate faculty as needed. There are some exceptions to the requirements outlined above.

Seattle School students who are in a withdrawn status or have been on a leave of absence for more than three semesters; accepted applicants whose yearlong deferment has expired; or applicants who withdrew their application post-acceptance less than 2 years ago are all eligible to reapply for admission. Please reach out to admissions@theseattleschool.edu to determine the process for your reapplication.