After a final review of survey data and comments from CGS members about the April 15 Resolution, the CGS Board voted to renew the resolution for another 5-year term at its December 2018 meeting. The Resolution will now continue until October 1, 2024. More than 325 CGS member institutions have agreed to abide by the Resolution, in order to ensure the best match between program and student applicant.
First established in the mid-1960s, the April 15 Resolution stipulates that student applicants have until April 15 to accept any offer of admission that comes with financial support. The intent of the Resolution is to allow students to choose the graduate program that best aligns with their long-term career goals and aspirations. Programs that adhere to the expectations of the Resolution can encourage students to make a decision in a timely manner but cannot set a decision deadline prior to April 15. Programs also cannot offer financial incentives for early acceptance decisions.
Each Fall, CGS provides graduate deans with materials for distribution to their graduate programs to explain the expectations of the April 15 Resolution. These materials include a draft letter to program directors as well as an FAQ of commonly asked questions. Graduate deans then monitor compliance with the expectations of the Resolution on their own campuses and manage conflicts if they arise.
More information and a list of currently signatories to the April 15 Resolution are posted on the CGS website, www.cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution. The list of signatories to the Resolution is updated as changes occur, most recently in March 2019. If your institution wants to be listed as a signatory, please contact Jeffrey Engler (jengler@cgs.nche.edu) for more information.
CGS is the leading source of information, data analysis, and trends in graduate education. Our benchmarking data help member institutions to assess performance in key areas, make informed decisions, and develop plans that are suited to their goals.
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As the national voice for graduate education, CGS serves as a resource on issues regarding graduate education, research, and scholarship. CGS collaborates with other national stakeholders to advance the graduate education community in the policy and advocacy arenas.
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