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California Institute of Integral Studies actively seeks a diverse student body, one whose varied backgrounds, experiences, and interests help cultivate a rich and rewarding educational experience for all. Decisions regarding admission are based on consideration of (1) the applicant's potential for success in the chosen field of study based upon past academic/professional achievement, maturity, and motivation for educational and personal development; and (2) the congruence of the applicant's interests with the philosophy and purpose of the program and Institute.

Please see Deadlines/Policies before applying to be sure your program is open and accepting applications!

There are many ways to apply to CIIS:

Apply Online

Apply online at MyCIIS, our student portal.

Download an Application and Submit by Mail

You can download our paper application here.

Adobe Reader may be required to view PDF documents. Download the free Adobe Reader here.

Please print out and complete the application. Send it to the following address:
CIIS Admissions
1453 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

You can also request to have a paper application mailed to you; please contact the Admissions Office at (415) 575-6154 or admissions@ciis.edu.

Application Materials

Written materials can be emailed to materials@ciis.edu. Letters of recommendation can be emailed, be sure your recommender includes their full contact information. CIIS cannot print artwork, art samples, photographs and etc. Please submit your written materials as Word .doc or Adobe .PDF versions. Be sure to include your name on every document.

Letter of Recommendation Form

You can download our Letter of Recommendation form here. The form is not required but can be helpful for recommenders. Some programs do not require letters of recommendation, please see the Admissions Requirements for your program.

Packaging and Extras

Please note that any additional materials submitted with your application (including binders and folders) will be discarded after an admissions decision has been made.

Tips for Applying

Give yourself ample time to complete your application. It often takes 3-4 weeks for transcripts to arrive at their destination; letters of recommendations will also take time. Be sure to give sufficient time to write your autobiographical statement, as this offers the best opportunity to "tell your story" to those who will be evaluating your application. So plan accordingly so as to not put your application at risk of not being considered.

Be thorough. An application that is not complete or not properly filled out will jeopardize your chances of being reviewed. Be sure to know what is required of your application and proofread all materials carefully. Look out for transfer credits from colleges and universities on your transcripts. Applicants are required to send transcripts from all institutions they've attended and earned 7 or more units.

Send your application in one envelope. While the Admissions Office will collate application materials, for the sake of expediency as well as for some peace of mind, it is advantageous to have everything sent in at one time. Have official transcripts mailed to you and include them with your application, but do not open them! Transcripts are official provided they have the university seal on the back of envelope and have not been opened.

The writing sample. The writing sample should preferably be on a topic that is related to your intended area of study. The sample should reflect your ability to synthesize ideas from various sources as well as lay out a coherent, well thought-out argument. Please be conscientious of length and packaging, programs mostly require 8-10 pages.

Letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from people who can speak directly to your ability to successfully undertake the program you wish to pursue. Ideal recommenders include academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors or colleagues. It is also helpful for you to ask the recommender to notify you when he or she has sent their recommendation. And do not hesitate to follow up with the recommender if he or she has not sent the required document.

Autobiographical statement. The autobiographical statement should not be a generic life-story, but should directly address the specific questions that are asked by the program to which you are applying. Also, be sure to limit the length of the piece to 4 to 6 pages, as faculty must read numerous applications each term (i.e., more is not better).

Goal statement. The goal statement should be short and to the point, focusing on why you wish to pursue your chosen area of study and why you would like to undertake this study at CIIS. If there are faculty members with whom you would like to work, mention them by name and how you came across their work. You should mention not only what you hope to do academically while enrolled, but what you hope to do once you have completed the program. (Faculty highly value students who will make excellent alumni.)

Address your weaknesses. If you feel there is a weakness in your application, for example a low GPA, address it briefly in your application. You may want to explain why you have the apparent shortcoming and what you have done to overcome it. (Sometimes applicants will address this in a one-page addendum to their application.)

Ask Questions. If you have questions about your application or the application process, do not hesitate to contact the admissions counselor in charge of your program. They are here to assist you on your way.