Applying to graduate school can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to support you through the process. There are three main phases: submitting your application, completing your admissions requirements, and enrolling once you're admitted. This article walks you through what to expect at each phase.

Table of Contents:

Step 1: Create Your Account and Activate Your Application

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Step 3: Submit your Transcript(s)

Step 4: Complete Your Program Selection Form & Pending Checklist Items

Step 5: Accept Your Offer and Enroll

How to Monitor Your Status Page

Understanding your Application Status

Need Help?

Before you apply:
Check out Relay's website to learn about all the programs we offer, tuition and aid options, and state-specific information. You may also learn about the program options available in your state by reviewing our Support Center articles.

 

Step 1: Create Your Account and Activate Your Application 

You have 2 options when creating your application:

1. Fill out an interest form. Tell us about your interests and we’ll share information about Relay and the application link.
2. If you are ready, go directly to Relay Application page.
   • As a new user, click "Create an account"
   • Enter your name, email address, and birthdate
3. Activate your application
   • You will receive an email with a temporary pin to start your admissions process

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Your application will require you to submit:

• Personal and educational information
• An up-to-date resume
• Your response to essay questions. 
• One recommender (if applicable)— You'll share contact information for your recommender, and they'll submit a letter on your behalf.

You can find a step-by-step guide on submitting your application here: “How to complete your application.” 

Step 3: Submit your Transcript(s)

To apply to Relay Graduate School of Education, you’ll need to submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended—even if you didn’t earn a degree there. 

• Contact your previous institution(s) and request to send official transcripts to Relay.
• Once all transcripts are received, our team will review your file and determine which programs you are eligible to enroll in.

NOTE: You must submit an official transcript that demonstrates you have/will earn your bachelor's degree in order to be admitted to Relay. 

Review our page on How to submit Transcripts, as well as instructions for foreign credentials.

Step 4: Complete Your Program Selection Form & Pending Checklist Items

After we have completed our review of your transcript(s) and application, a new checklist item – Program Selection Form – may be added to your admissions portal - only if you are seeking certification.

• Review your Program Selection Form carefully. The options listed on the form represent programs you are eligible for.
• Complete your Program Selection form by selecting one of the recommended options.
• If prompted, complete the relevant State/Program related admissions checklist items on the form.
• Once the form is completed, review your Admissions Status page for any pending institutional or Educator Prep Program checklist items.

Your application will be considered complete when your application is submitted and all required items on your checklist(s) have been received.

Step 5: Accept Your Offer and Enroll

Once your admissions decision is ready, we'll contact you via email. Log back in to review your decision and (hopefully!) accept your offer.

To complete enrollment:

1. Review and sign your Enrollment Agreement(s). You may have two enrollment agreements listed if you're seeking both a degree program and an educator preparation program certification/licensure. Please review your enrollment agreement to verify your program details.
2. Secure a program-aligned instructional role. To enroll in Relay's teacher programs, you must secure a program-aligned instructional role.
3. If provisionally admitted, submit your final transcript. If you were provisionally admitted, submit an official degree-conferred bachelor's degree transcript.

You can review our articles related to Preparing to Enroll on our Support Center site.

How to Monitor Your Status Page

The fastest and easiest way to see when your transcripts, recommendations, and other admissions materials have arrived and been approved is by monitoring your personalized Admissions Checklist on your Admissions Status Page. To view your checklist, log in to your Admissions Status page and click on the “Checklist” tab.

Checking the Status of Your Transcripts

After Relay has received your transcripts, we send you an email notification and update your checklist on the Status Page. Each institution of higher education you attended will display on the Admissions Checklist.

• Transcripts will appear as "✗ Awaiting" until we have received them. 
• Once received and processed, they will change to "✔ Received." 

Checking the Status of Your Recommendations

The status page will also allow you to track when we’ve received your recommendation. You can also resend notification emails or change your recommender from this page. 

• If it is pending, your recommendation checklist will reflect as "✗ Awaiting" until your recommender submits their form.
  • Note: You can also resend notification emails or change your recommender from this page by clicking on the “recommendation page” link.

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• Once received, your recommendation status will reflect as "✔ Received." 

 

 

 

 

Checking the Status of Your Pending Items

You will track all of your additional admissions and certification checklist items via your status page. In addition to your Educational records or transcripts, you may also need to submit Institutional Admissions and/or Prep program checklist items.

• If pending, these checklist items will show as "✗ Awaiting" until you complete and/or submit them.

• Once completed/submitted, they will update to "✔ Received." 

Understanding your Application Stages

When accessing the Home tab of your Admissions Status portal, you will be able to track your progress though the admissions process. Your status will update as your application moves through the process, below are brief descriptions of each step.

Status	What It Means
Application	Your online application was submitted, and we are awaiting official transcripts. During this stage, allow 5-7 business days for your transcript(s) checklist to be updated once received.
Transcripts	Your application and transcripts have been received. We are now reviewing your materials to determine your program options. At this stage, please allow 5-10 business days for the initial program pre-check to be completed.
Pre-Check	We have completed our first program review. You now have access to your Program Selection Form and should review any pending checklist items.
Checklist	You have completed your checklist items and are now under review. During this stage, we may request additional documents, if applicable. Times vary during this stage based on program and application details, please allow 3-5 weeks for an admissions decision.
Review	We have completed our admissions review. You will soon receive a notification related to our admissions decision. Once at this stage, you can expect a decision within 5-7 business days.
Decision	A decision has been made regarding your application. Click "View Update" to view details. If you are offered admission, you'll have the opportunity to review and sign your enrollment agreement, accepting your offer of admission to Relay.

Note: We can only review completed applications, so the sooner we receive all your materials (including your transcripts and recommendations as well as other forms on your personalized Admissions Checklist), the sooner you will receive your admissions decision and access to coursework.

 

Need Help?

For step-by-step application instructions: Visit our "How to Complete Your Application" article for detailed guidance on each part of the process.

For personalized support: Don't be afraid to ask! Our Admissions and Enrollment team is here to help you make the best decision for your teaching career — whether that's with Relay or elsewhere.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Schedule a 1:1 appointment