Admission Requirements

The School of Engineering and Applied Science offers an exceptional educational opportunity for qualified students who seek an environment where graduate study is characterized by integrated learning experiences with highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated faculty. Graduate admissions committees are seeking well-rounded individuals who bring exceptional intellectual capabilities along with a passion for their chosen field. The admissions process looks for evidence of competitive academic performance, work and life experiences, and qualities of character such as motivation, maturity, tenacity, integrity, ability to work with others, self-reliance, and leadership. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Engineering School welcomes applications from men and women from other countries whose diverse perspectives broaden the range of educational experience for all members of the academic community.

An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university. While this degree will normally be in the field of engineering or applied science, degrees in other fields may be acceptable. Undergraduate courses that may be required to remedy deficiencies must be taken without credit. An applicant should have a B average for admission into graduate studies.

Each candidate must complete the Application for Admission. The application requires completion of an essay, complete transcripts of all academic work and three letters of recommendation. A non-refundable application fee must accompany the application; an application will not be considered if the fee has not been paid. All applicants are required to take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) general exam. International students must have an outstanding command of the English language in order to enroll at the University. The TOEFL exam is required of all applicants if the language first learned and spoken in the home is not English. Most students admitted score at least 600 on the paper exam or 250 on the computer exam. Some students may be required to complete the Summer English for Academic Purposes Program (www.virginia.edu/provost/caelc/summer.html) prior to admission.

Applications may be completed and submitted on-line (https://applyonline.virginia.edu/engineering) or application materials may be downloaded from the same site and submitted by mail to: Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Thornton Hall, Room A-108, P.O. Box 400242 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4242. On-line applications are strongly encouraged. Application information, including recommendations, reach the admissions committees much faster if submitted electronically.

For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, deadlines for complete applications for admission are: December 1 for January admission, May 1 for June admission, and August 1 for September admission. Students requesting financial aid, however, should submit a complete application by January 15 for September admission. International students on visas (other than permanent residents) must apply at least five months prior to the term for which admission is sought. This time is necessary for the International Student Office to review and process necessary papers. A prospective international student must have appropriate, current, valid, and legal non-immigrant status before he/she can be offered final admission to the University. Also, all international students (other than permanent residents) must provide bank certification of the amount of U.S. dollars they will have available for their first year in Charlottesville.