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Department of Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Studies: Prospective Graduate Students

Admission to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate program is through application to the department itself, not through individual faculty. You can complete the application online.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission. Applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering, sciences, or mathematics from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  2. Have undergraduate courses in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations.
  3. Have two semesters of undergraduate calculus-based physics.
  4. Have at least two semesters of upper-division undergraduate courses in engineering or physics.
  5. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00
  6. Provide three letters of recommendation.
  7. Provide a personal statement of academic and research interests.
  8. Fill in subspecialty field as follows: Applicants without a masters degree indicate track choice. Ph.D. Applicants with a previous masters degree indicate area of research interest.
  9. If applying for PhD, GRE scores are required. Preferred but not required GRE scores are 153 or better Verbal, 159 or better Quantitative and 4.5 writing, and the desired undergraduate GPA is 3.2.
  10. If applying for MS, GRE scores are required. Preferred but not required GRE scores are 153 or better Verbal, 159 or better Quantitative and 4.5 writing, and the desired undergraduate GPA is 3.0.
  11. If International, TOEFL scores are required.
    The minimum TOEFL scores required are as follows:
    MS Applicants:  550 PBT, 213 CBT, 79 IBT. (6.5 for IELTS)
    PhD Applicants:  600 PBT, 250 CBT, 100 IBT  (7.5 for IELTS)

In evaluating applicants for admission, the Admissions Committee relies on the completed application form, the report of GRE scores, your undergraduate GPA and official transcripts, as well as your statement of purpose and recommendations from persons who have had an opportunity to observe your ability and performance. Your GRE scores and GPA are considered in the context of the entire application. The quality of your undergraduate institution will be considered. Substantial consideration is accorded to special qualities such as motivation, undergraduate program, diversity in economic, social, or cultural background, employment or other experience, leadership, and perseverance in overcoming personal handicaps or disadvantages. Graduate level work is also considered.

Prospective students with a B.S. degree may be admitted to either the M.S. program (thesis or non-thesis option) or the Ph.D. program by indicating their preference in the application.

If you encounter problems with submitting your application or with your recommenders receiving the recommendation link, please contact Graduate Admissions: Graduate.Admissions@Colorado.Edu

Deadlines:

*Please Note*
The department will NOT be accepting PhD applications
for Spring Semesters as all funding is
awarded during the fall for the entire academic year.
PhD applications are only accepted for Fall Semesters!!
MS students may apply for fall or spring.

Fall 2012

  • International applicants: The international application deadline for fall 2012
    is November 1st.

    All parts of your application, transcripts, supporting credentials, and correspondence in reference to your application should be sent directly to:

    For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

    Office of Admissions/International
    University of Colorado Boulder
    3100 Marine St Suite A122
    65 UCB
    Boulder, CO 80309-0065 USA

    Overnight/Express Mailing Address (DHL, UPS, Fedex)

    Office of Admissions/International
    University of Colorado Boulder
    3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB
    Bldg RL3 Suite A122
    Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
    303-492-6301

  • Domestic applicants: The domestic application deadline for fall 2012 is December 1st.

    For Fall 2012 Applications: All parts of your application, transcripts, supporting credentials, and correspondence in reference to your application should be sent directly to:

    For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

    Graduate Admissions
    University of Colorado Boulder
    3100 Marine St Suite A122
    553 UCB
    Boulder, CO 80309-0553 USA

    For overnight or express mail (DHL, FEDEX, UPS) send to:

    Graduate Admissions
    University of Colorado Boulder
    3100 Marine Street - 553 UCB
    Bldg RL3 Suite A122
    Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA (303) 492-6301

Please Note: All application materials do NOT have to be received by the application deadline, however, your application will NOT be considered complete and sent to committee for review until ALL application materials are received. It is in your best interest to have all application materials submitted as soon as possible.

  • Application materials include: application, application fee, statement of purpose, official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions attended (including community college courses, courses taken for college credit during high school, and study abroad coursework - even if this coursework shows as transfer credit on another transcript), official GRE scores (general test), 3 letters of recommendation, and TOEFL scores, if applicable.
  • Official transcripts come directly from your institutions in a sealed envelope. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are not official transcripts.

Late applications are not accepted and the
application fee is non-refundable.

Funding: