FAQ
Join SFI for a transformative learning experience in complexity science.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each program's page includes information on multiple tabs, please read all relevant pages thoroughly. If you still have a question after reviewing the information here, please email us at education@santafe.edu.
> For questions about the application software, please see SurveyMonkey Apply’s “Completing an Application FAQ”: https://help.surveymonkey.com/en/apply/faqs/application-faq/
> For technical questions, including supported browsers, please see SurveyMonkey Apply’s documentation: https://help.surveymonkey.com/en/apply/faqs/supported-browsers/
> Please use one email address throughout the process whenever possible. If you must change your email during the application period, contact education@santafe.edu with both your old and new email addresses so we can update our records. Email is the only way we will contact you about your application.
The application deadline is 23:59 (11:59 PM) local Santa Fe, New Mexico (Mountain Standard Time) on the date listed on the program page and on the SurveyMonkey Apply site. After the deadline, the system automatically closes — you will not be able to start, edit, or submit an application, and we do not accept late applications.
This also applies to letters of recommendation.
To be considered, you must complete all required sections and click SUBMIT before the deadline. You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted. Applications that are not fully submitted will not be reviewed.
No, please don’t reach out to program directors and SFI researchers in association with your desired program as a part of the application process.
> All admissions decisions are based on the materials in your application.
> The review committee conducts a holistic evaluation using this information alone to ensure a fair and consistent process for all applicants.
> Opportunities to connect with SFI researchers in-person are built into each program.
If you have questions, be sure to review the relevant program information pages. If you cannot find an answer to your question, inquiries should be directed only to SFI’s Education team at education@santafe.edu. Please allow several days for a response.
You will request recommendation letters within the SurveyMonkey Apply system by entering your recommender’s email address in the designated field. The system will send an email from noreply@mail.smapply.io with instructions for creating an account and uploading the letter. Let your recommender know to expect this message and to check their spam/junk folder.
The letter deadline is the same as the application deadline, and it is your responsibility to ensure letters are submitted on time. Communicate early with your recommenders so they have enough time to write and upload their letter.
You can track the status of each letter in the application system:
> SUBMITTED – we’ve received the letter
> PENDING – the letter has not yet been uploaded (you can resend the request from within the system)
If your recommender has trouble submitting through SurveyMonkey Apply, they should email education@santafe.edu at least 24 hours before the deadline, with:
> Your full name (as listed on your application) in the subject line
> The letter attached as a PDF
> After the deadline, we check that your application is complete (all required fields and materials). Incomplete applications are not reviewed, and we cannot notify you if anything is missing. All complete on-time applications receive equal consideration; the submission date does not affect your chances. A committee conducts a holistic review, decisions are final, and we do not provide feedback.
> You will be notified by email of your status — accepted, wait-listed, or not accepted; estimates for when you will be notified are listed on the individual program info pages. Timelines are listed in each program’s FAQ and on the SurveyMonkey Apply site. We keep a waiting list until all invited participants have confirmed, which can sometimes take several months.
> Acceptance rates vary and are not published. Our programs are competitive, and many strong applicants cannot be admitted. If you remain eligible and interested, you are welcome to reapply.
> We do not offer deferrals. If you are accepted but unable to attend, in most cases we can refund your payment.
Complexity Explorer courses are a great foundation and/or complement to all of our in-person programs. Most of the programs will expect that participants have taken, or are familiar with the concepts covered in, Introduction to Complexity. Participants may also find Complexity Explorer tutorials useful resources as they work on research projects.
The in-person education programs provide participants with opportunities to engage with a cohort and SFI researchers from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, often forging relationships that last throughout their research careers. Collaborative research is a hallmark of these programs.