General Questions
How do I submit an application to Carleton’s graduate programs?
Admission to Carleton’s graduate programs is competitive. Although each program may vary slightly, the overall admission process is the same for all graduate programs and is a multi-step process. For complete step-by-step information on how to submit an application, please visit our apply page. Applications can be completed in Carleton360.
Can you send me an application package?
No. Applications to Carleton are processed via an online application system. For complete information on applying to Carleton, please visit the our apply web page.
Can I apply to more than one program?
Yes. You can apply to more than one program. You will need to fill out a separate application and pay a separate application fee for each program to which you are applying.
I have submitted my application online. Do I need to send in a paper copy?
No. You do not need to submit a printed copy of your application. Unnecessary paper documents mailed to our office may cause delays in processing.
Registering for a Carleton360 Account
I made a mistake entering my email address when requesting an account but I can’t change it. What do I do?
Email graduate.studies@carleton.ca and we would be happy to assist you in correcting your email address. Do not create multiple Carleton360 accounts as you may experience delays and login issues while your accounts are merged.
Applying Using an Online Application Account
Why do I keep timing out of the application process?
For security purposes, the application process times out automatically after 20 minutes of inactivity. You will have to log back in to Carleton360. You may have lost information you had entered if you were in the process of filling in one of the sections when you timed out.
How long do I have to complete the online application?
You will have until the application deadline to complete your online application and submit your required documents.
I don’t understand the questions in the online application that I have to answer. Who do I contact?
If you’re not sure how to answer a question on the online application or you have questions about the supplementary forms or required documents you need to submit, contact the Graduate Administrator in the academic unit to which you are applying.
I don’t see my exact degree or field of study listed on the online application. What do I do?
You should select the most appropriate option available from the list provided.
The system is asking me to enter an English-language proficiency test score but I don’t have one. What do I do?
If you do not have a current English Language Test Score on hand to upload within the application, you will have the opportunity to upload at a later date in Carleton Central. Simply click ‘No’ to the question: ‘Do you have any test scores to report at this time?’
Application Fees
Who do I send my application fee to?
The application fee is paid directly to Carleton University by Visa, MasterCard or INTERAC Online at the end of the application process. You must submit and pay for your application in order for it to be processed further
How long will it take to process my application fee?
It will depend on which method of payment you chose to pay your application fee. Once your fee payment has been processed, you will receive an email within one to three business days with further instructions on how to complete your application package via Carleton Central.
What is the conversion of the C$120.00 or C$170.00 application fee to other currencies?
To determine the most current exchange rate, visit the Bank of Canada currency exchange rate calculator. The application fee must be paid in Canadian dollars.
I’m still having problems with my application fee payment. Who do I contact?
Please contact Graduate Studies at graduate.studies@carleton.ca or by calling 613-520-2525.
After Submitting Your Online Application
I have paid my application fee and completed the online application form. Now what?
Wait. Once your application fee is processed, you will be sent an email from graduate.studies@carleton.ca within one to three business days which will include your 9 digit (10XXXXXXX) Carleton User ID number and further instructions on how to proceed with your application.
I have not yet received an email with my Carleton ID and further instructions for my application. What do I do?
Wait. Once your fee payment has been processed, you will receive an email within one to three business days with further instructions on how to complete your application package via Carleton Central. Please be sure to check your junk mail or spam folders for this email.
In the meantime, ensure that your email is set to accept correspondence from graduate.studies@carleton.ca and that our email has not been moved to your junk or spam folder. Once you have your Carleton ID, please be sure to include it in ALL correspondence.
What do I do if I need to update my application information after I have submitted it online?
Contact graduate.studies@carleton.ca to make any updates to your application information after you have submitted the online application. You may be required to submit additional documentation.
To whom do I send my required documents and supplementary forms?
All required documents must be uploaded within the application or in Carleton Central as described on our Required Documents website. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your application.
For a listing of all required supplementary forms and documents for the program to which you are applying, visit the Instructions page of your online application.
How long do I have to collect all of my required documents and supplementary forms and submit them to Carleton?
You have until the application deadline to submit all of your Required Documents. Required Documents may be submitted at any time, however, applicants who submit these documents early with their application may increase their chances of securing financial support for their graduate studies.
Uploading Documents
When can I upload my required documents?
You can upload your required documents within the online application or in Carleton Central once you receive an email from Carleton which contains your 9-digit Carleton User ID number (10XXXXXXX). The email will be sent to you within one to three business days from the time your application fee payment has been processed.
How do I know which documents to upload?
When you access Carleton Central, you will be advised of all documents that are required to be uploaded for your particular program. Specific forms are available on the Instructions page of your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that all uploaded documents can be read by an assessor.
Please note that each program has different supplementary forms and required documents.
My documents won’t upload. I am receiving an error when I try to upload my documents. What do I do?
We recommend using Microsoft Edge when trying to upload your documents. Please also ensure that your documents are less than 2 MB in size and are in PDF format.
What can I do if the document I am trying to upload is too big?
The system only allows applicants to upload a file that is less than 2 MB in size. If you have scanned your documents, you can decrease the file size by changing the resolution settings on your scanner and scanning your document in black and white rather than colour.
How do I upload a protected electronic English language score?
You cannot upload the protected document itself; you will need to save a copy of the document as a PDF and upload the saved copy.
How many documents am I allowed to upload of the same document type?
You are allowed to upload a maximum of three documents of the same document type. For Transcripts only, you are able to upload a total of five documents. Please note that each document type should be uploaded as one complete file and may contain multiple pages. For transcripts, you should submit one complete document per degree and per institution.
I have two or more degrees from a single post-secondary institution. How do I scan (upload) these transcripts?
Only one PDF file per institution should be uploaded (if you have completed more than one degree at the same institution, all transcripts/pages must be scanned as a single document). The maximum file size is 2 MB.
Can I replace/update my previously submitted document?
You are allowed to upload a maximum of three PDF documents per document type in Carleton Central (except for transcripts of which you are allowed to upload a maximum of five) which are date stamped at the time of the upload. The academic unit will review the most recent document.
Where do I find the Preference Form or other required forms?
You can obtain these forms from the Instructions page of your application. These can be accessed during initial application or after you have submitted and paid.
Can I submit additional materials that are not indicated as required by the academic unit?
No. Carleton will only accept application materials as indicated by the academic unit in order to assess an application. Additional materials are not necessary.
Should I mail in hard copies of my required documents?
No. You must upload your required documents as described on the Required Documents website. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your application.
Official documents (e.g., final transcripts) must only be mailed in after you receive an Offer of Admission from Carleton University in order to satisfy a condition.
I have uploaded all of my materials. Now what?
Wait. Once your materials have been uploaded and your references have been received, your application is complete. There is no final submission process required. Please note that admission decisions are made by the academic department and are viewable by you in Carleton Central.
Referees / Letters of Reference
Can I submit a referee from my employer?
Maybe. A referee is typically a faculty member with whom you have studied and is able to assess your potential for graduate level study and research. References from non-academic supervisors, such as your place of employment, may be accepted in certain cases (i.e., professional references for professional programs). We recommend providing an academic referee with your application.
My referees said they submitted their online reference, but I don’t see it in Carleton Central. What do I do?
Wait. It could take up to two business days before being displayed in Carleton Central.
How do I change a referee?
You can not. Once you have submitted your online application containing email addresses for your referees, you cannot change that information. You may, however, add a referee to your application by completing the Add a Referee form. You must have your Carleton User ID (10XXXXXXX) to submit this form.
How do I add a referee to my application?
Requesting additional referees beyond what is required for the program to which you are applying will not benefit your application. However, if for reasons beyond your control you would like to add a new referee, please complete the Add a Referee form. You must have your Carleton User ID (10XXXXXXX) to submit this form.
My referee(s) have not received an email from Carleton. What can I do?
Ask your referee(s) to check their spam or junk mail folders. The email is sent from graduate.studies@carleton.ca with the subject line “Carleton Referee for Admission.” If you would like the email resent to your referee(s) you can contact the department to which you have applied. You should ensure you include your Carleton User ID (10XXXXXXX) as well as the email address of your referee.
I have submitted an incorrect email address for one of my referees or they have changed their email address. How do I correct this?
Send an email to graduate.studies@carleton.ca with the following information:
- Subject Line: Change of Referee Email Address
- Carleton User ID (as sent to you via email from Carleton):
- Program:
- Term to which you have applied:
- Referee Name:
- Old Referee Email Address:
- New Referee Email Address:
Note: If you do not have your Carleton User ID yet, please wait until you receive it before making this type of request.
Can I submit a paper copy of my reference letter?
No. Referees are automatically sent an email requesting that they complete an online reference form. Paper copies of reference letters are not accepted. Referees are encouraged to send an email to graduate.studies@carleton.ca directly if they are experiencing difficulty or have problems with this process.
Can my referees submit their online reference after the admission deadline?
Yes, however it is your responsibility to follow up with your referees to ensure they have received the email and that they submit the reference before the application deadline. Referee submissions posted after the admission deadline may be too late for consideration.
International Students
I am an international applicant. Can you review my documents before I apply?
No. In order to evaluate your admissibility to Carleton we must receive your completed application. However, you can visit our International Requirements website to determine your eligibility to submit an application.
I am an international applicant and the language of instruction at my post-secondary institution was/is English. Do I have to take a language test?
Maybe. Applicants who provide transcripts to indicate that they have studied within the past three years (full-time, non-ESL) in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English can meet our English-language requirements. Letters from your universities stating the medium of instruction is English are not, in and of themselves, acceptable. For more information, please review the English language proficiency requirements.
I have not yet taken my language test but I know that I will have to. How do I declare this on my application?
If you do not currently have language test scores, but intend to write a test at a later date, you should notify the academic unit to which you are applying.
I am being required to upload a Language Proficiency test score, but I already meet your requirements. What should I do?
If you have studied within the last three years (full-time, non-ESL) in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English, you need to complete the Confirmation of Language Proficiency form. You must then save and upload it with your required documents in Carleton Central as Document Type: Language Proficiency.
I am an international applicant and have been offered admission to Carleton University, but need a specific letter from Carleton for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for my study permit application. Where can I get this letter?
You can access this letter in Carleton Central which is indicated as “Letter for International Students”. It contains the information required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for your study permit application. This should be submitted along with your Offer of Admission and Statement of Standing on Admission.
Reviewing the Status of Your Application
How do I check the status of my application?
You can review the status of your application in Carleton Central using the Graduate Admissions link, or contact the Graduate Administrator in the academic unit to which you have applied.
What does “Preliminary Review Required” mean?
Preliminary Review Required refers to an application at the beginning of the assessment process. As your application is processed, this status will be updated. You can keep checking Carleton Central for up-to-date information concerning your application. You can view a listing of definitions of the various application status updates on the application status page.
I have checked Carleton Central, but I do not understand the admission status. Where can I find out what this means?
You can view a listing of definitions of the various application status updates on the application status page.
How long does it take to process my application?
After you have submitted your application, the application fee, and the required documents, the academic unit can begin to review your application. The timeframe for processing applications can be different for each program. Decisions may be made on a rolling basis and may be made after the application deadline. You can review the status of your application in Carleton Central or contact the Graduate Administrator in the appropriate academic unit.
How will I be notified about an admission decision?
As soon as a decision is made on your application, you will receive an email notification. The email will come from noreply@connect.carleton.ca. You should ensure that your email is set to accept correspondence from noreply@connect.carleton.ca and check your junk or spam folder.
When will I find out if I’ve been admitted?
You will receive an email notification of a decision being made on your application. You can view the decision in Carleton Central. You can also review the status of your application in Carleton Central or contact the Graduate Administrator in the appropriate academic unit.
I have been offered admission to Carleton. What do I do now?
Congratulations! Please either accept or decline your offer of admission in Carleton Central. You will be able to view your official Offer of Admission letter and Statement of Standing on Admission in Carleton Central a before you accept/decline. You should also read and understand the Terms and Conditions of Admission and Funding prior to accepting an Offer of Admission.
Note: Carleton University issues an electronic Offer of Admission and does not send a paper copy by mail.
How do I meet the condition(s) of my Offer of Admission?
It is your responsibility to ensure that the conditions on your Offer of Admission have been met. You will not be able to register for courses until these conditions have been satisfied.
Domestic applicants
After you receive an Offer of Admission, you will be required to mail official documents as indicated on your Offer of Admission to Graduate Studies. After Graduate Studies receives your official documents, the academic unit to which you have applied can submit a revised offer of admission without conditions.
Note: Official transcript(s) must be mailed directly to Carleton from your home institution in a sealed university envelope from the office issuing the transcript(s). Official transcript(s) must indicate that your degree has been conferred. Electronic transcripts will be accepted from Canadian institutions and considered official if sent directly from the institution’s Registrar’s Office or other verified records office. Electronic transcripts must be sent to graduate.studies@carleton.ca.
International Applicants
If you have received an Offer of Admission, you will be required to submit a Course-by-Course evaluation (WES ICAP) from World Education Services (WES Canada). You will be notified at that time, if this is the case.
Please review your Country specific document requirements for the WES ICAP prior to starting your application.
If you already have a WES evaluation (USA or Canada), you can add Carleton University, Graduate Studies as a document recipient. Note that the evaluation must be a Course-by-Course evaluation (WES ICAP)
Applicants are encouraged to submit all post-secondary transcripts to WES for verification and evaluation upon initial application, regardless of the specific degree that is being requested from Graduate Studies.
NOTE: Documents other than transcripts must be sent direct by mail to Carleton University Graduate Studies unless otherwise indicated.
I have been denied admission to Carleton and would like further information. Who do I contact?
In most cases, it can be hard to provide specific reasons regarding a denied admission decision as a large number of factors are taken into account. However, you can contact the academic unit to which you have applied for more information.
Note: Generally, departments do not accept appeals and decisions cannot be overturned.