Admissions FAQs

We regret that we cannot welcome prospective students and their families to campus, but in light of the coronavirus outbreak, we feel that this is the best measure for the health and safety of our community. For prospective students, please feel free to explore our admissions viewbook, our website, our Heller Talks, and our Youtube video series. You can also take a virtual tour of Heller below. 

Due to current admission exam testing difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, our Social Impact MBA and the Master of Public Policy programs are making the GRE or GMAT test requirement optional for domestic applicants applying for Fall 2021. 

Domestic Applicants: Applicants to the MBA program who have already taken either the Graduate Management Admission Test  - GMAT (preferred) or the Graduate Record Exam - GRE can still submit their scores. Applicants to the MPP program who have already taken either the Graduate Record Exam - GRE can still submit their scores. Applicants should request the test scores to be sent directly to the Heller School by the appropriate code when taking the test. The code for the GMAT is 3FD-ZX-31. The code for the GRE is 3097.

International Applicants: International applicants to the MBA program (or duals with the MBA) must submit test results of either the Graduate Management Admission Test  - GMAT (preferred) or the Graduate Record Exam - GRE.* Applicants to the MPP program who have already taken either the Graduate Record Exam - GRE should submit their scores.* Applicants must request the test scores to be sent directly to the Heller School by the appropriate code when taking the test. The code for the GMAT is 3FD-ZX-31. The code for the GRE is 3097.

The admissions committee does not set specific score requirements. Test scores expire after five years.

 *International applicants who earned their undergraduate degree at an institution within the US should contact the admissions representative for their program. 

Find answers about the Spring 2021 semester,  Zoom, the Student Emergency Fund, health services, and more on our Heller COVID-19 Resources page. 

• Pre-enrollment: Admitted and incoming students to Heller who wish to be considered for a different program after the offer of admissions has been made, may request reconsideration for another program (including dual and joint degree options related to their original program). Applicants must submit an updated statement of purpose and ensure any additional application requirements for the updated proposed program are completed. We encourage applicants considering this option to contact our admissions team to discuss their options.
• Students currently enrolled at Heller who wish to switch to a different program must submit an updated application, through an abbreviated admissions process for current students. This includes submission of an updated statement of purpose, resume, and in-progress Heller transcript. Students must ensure any additional application requirements for the proposed program are completed. We encourage such students to discuss their plans with the director of each program, as well as admissions to review requirements. Any offers of financial aid for the initial program become null and void when a student is switching programs. A new offer of financial aid will be made when the student is accepted into the proposed program. Students will then have the option to either accept the updated offer, or maintain their current program and financial aid status. All changes in program are effective at the beginning of the semester. Mid-semester changes are not allowed.

In the Test Score section of the application, there is a link to add new scores. You will need to click the "Add Test" button, select the appropriate test, and then enter a future test date, leaving the score field blank. This will allow you to submit the application without scores for that test. Once you have taken the test, please request that your scores be sent to Brandeis - Heller. When we receive your scores, they will be linked to your application. 

For international students who plan to submit an English Proficiency waiver based on work or academic experience in one of the countries listed, please keep in mind that you will be required to enter in a future test date before you will be able to submit the application. 

Applicants to the MA COEX, MA SID, or MS programs are not required to take the GRE. Applicants to the PhD or MPP programs are required to take the GRE, and the MBA program accepts either the GMAT (preferred) or GRE*. Applicants to dual degree programs with the MBA or MPP programs must take the required standardized tests as well.

The GRE institution code for The Heller school is 3097.

*The test requirement for the MBA and MPP programs are now optional for domestic students applying for Fall 2021. 

We accept both official and unofficial transcripts at the time of application. If you upload your unofficial transcripts to your online application and you are admitted and choose to attend Heller, you will need to send your official transcripts to Heller prior to enrollment. Official transcripts must come either directly from the school or in a sealed and stamped envelope that has been unopened by the student. 

Please do not upload certificates or diplomas. Acceptable transcripts must show all courses, grades, dates, and your graduation conferred date.

Your partial tuition scholarship is for the first year of the master’s program. If you choose to participate in our advanced study program during your second year (this provides a second year of academic course work), the renewal of your merit award is contingent upon successful completion of coursework and all program requirements as outlined in the SID program's policies and procedures, as well as remaining a student good academic standing at Brandeis University. 

If you opt for the internship track during your second year, the University will not charge full tuition. There is a continuation fee, which is significantly lower than full tuition, and we therefore do not provide any scholarships. Please refer to the cost of attendance sheet for your specific degree program for more detailed information.

Brandeis offers two types of federal loans for U.S. citizens:

The Stafford Loan is a guaranteed student loan with a limit of $20,500 per academic or calendar year. In order to request this loan, you will need to complete the application form on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website. It will help to have your previous year’s income tax return available when completing the application, as many of the questions asked are the same as on your return. You will also need to submit a Brandeis University Stafford Loan Request form to the Financial Aid office, which allows us to disburse the funds to your student account.

The other type of federal loan for U.S. Citizens is the Graduate PLUS loan. Students again will need to fill out the FAFSA as mentioned above, and are encouraged to use their Unsubsidized Stafford Loan eligibility first. For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the GPLUS loan, please visit the Brandeis Student Financial Services website. After the Master Promissory Note is signed, a credit check will be processed. If approved, please note this credit check is only valid for 90 days. If the loan is not processed within those 90 days, applicants will need to reapply for the loan. This is important: if you are looking for a loan in the fall, you would not want to apply for the GPLUS loan in the beginning of the summer, but rather closer to the semester.

You may apply for the Stafford Loan at any time, since it is guaranteed and your eligibility will not change. As far as the FAFSA goes, it is easiest to complete the online application at the same time you do your annual taxes, as many of the questions asked are the same. Once you are finished, which is confirmed by email, the file is sent to us electronically. You will then need to complete the Brandeis Stafford Loan Request Form. Since the Stafford Loan is guaranteed, we can let you know your eligibility as soon as we have the form and the FAFSA information.

Private educational loans depend upon applications sent directly to the lending organizations. Each private lending organization has its own policies governing when the approval can be made, so the best way to check this out would be on the organizations' individual websites.

All international applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. Most students take either the TOEFL or the IELTS exams. Generally, successful applicants tend to have a score of at least 94 on the TOEFL (iBt), or 7.0 on the IELTS. We do not have a minimum required score for either test, but rather, our admissions committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications and considers every part of the application carefully. Learn more about the English Proficiency requirement.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for up to two years. Your official test score must be valid at the time your application is submitted. If your test score will expire prior to the start of the program, you must submit your official test score prior to its expiration date.

The TOEFL institution code for The Heller school is 3097.

Students offered admission to one of the master's programs at the Heller School may defer their admission for one year. PhD students are not eligible to defer their admission. We do not guarantee funding for master’s level students, although every effort is made to offer the same level of scholarship aid to students who are deferring.

Students who wish to defer must submit their request in writing to the Office of Heller Admissions by September 1 of their original entry term. Requests made after September 1 will not be accepted and students will need to re-apply in full with a new application. 

Students offered admission to one of the master's programs at the Heller School may defer their admission for one year. We do not guarantee funding for master’s level students, although every effort is made to offer the same level of scholarship aid to students who are deferring.

Students who wish to defer must submit their request in writing to the Office of Admissions by September 1 of their original entry term.

Most of our teaching assistant positions are available to students after their first year in the program. After students have completed a year of coursework, professors have a better sense of their students and can think about suitable options for teaching or research assistantships.

Assistantships are not guaranteed, nor are they a required component of any Heller program. Interested students must ask faculty they are interested in working with or look for open assistantships through Workday, Brandeis' online student employment portal.