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Application deadlines
The MSE graduate program accepts applications throughout the year on an on-going basis--we do not have set deadlines for application submission, per se. Applicants are admitted quarterly based on the number of Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) positions available for a given quarter.
While the MSE graduate program does not have set application deadlines, we encourage applicants to submit all materials at least three months prior to the start of a given quarter (see table below). This permits review of the application, submission of any missing documents, and time to obtain a visa (for international students), housing, and become established before classes start.
Quarter |
Encouraged deadline |
Autumn (Sept.) |
June 1 * |
Winter (January) |
October 1 |
Spring (March) |
January 1 |
Summer (June) |
April 1 |
* Note: Admission decisions for Autumn begin in February and continue through the Spring. Thus submission of all application documents by February 1 is helpful (not required, but obviously helpful). The program only reviews complete application files for admission (go to application requirements). A complete application packet on file by Feb. 1 will assure your application will be available for review.
University Fellowship Deadlines:
If an applicant wishes to be considered for nomination to a University Fellowship, the application materials are to be received by the appropriate date below. The University Fellowship is not the same as the more typical form of funding for our students, the Graduate Research Associateship (GRA). Go to more about University Fellowships.
November 30, 2007 for international applicants
January 15, 2008 for domestic applicants
Note regarding our general admission policy:
In general, the number of applicants we admit for a given quarter is limited to the number of Graduate Research Associateship (GRA) positions available in that quarter.
Our department tends to have 10-20 GRA positions in Autumn; 0-3 each in Winter, Spring, and Summer.
In other words, the facultys' projected need for research assistance determines the number of GRA positions available for a quarter. Based on this information, offers of admission are then made until that number of positions has been filled. It is rare that applicants are admitted without an accompanying offer of a GRA position; i.e., we do not admit students who would pay for their schooling out of their own funds.
Our goal with this policy is two-fold. First, we want our students focused on their studies and research work, not on how they will be paying for school. Second, a typical thesis or dissertation in a field such as MSE requires considerable time spent in the lab analyzing materials and using various characterization equipment. The costs involved in purchasing. preparing, and analyzing a material can be considerable. Students funded by a GRA position are not required to cover any such costs, as these are paid by the research project.
As this implies, applicants funded by a company or government organization--supplying sufficient levels of funding--are encouraged to apply. If the applicant meets the academic requirements for admission and provides proof of funding, s/he may be admitted, regardless of the number of GRA positions available for a given quarter. Such students should e-mail the MSE graduate program (or call 614-292-7280) for further details.
