Applications should be submitted through the Graduate Admissions portal.
The CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science is waiving the application fee for fall 2024 PhD applicants who meet either of the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident with an undergraduate GPA of 3.4+ and apply before Nov. 15, 2023. The application fee will automatically be waived for applicants who meet these criteria; no code is required.
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) members: Please contact Meredith Canode prior to submitting your application to have the fee waived.
The application process differs for domestic and international applicants. Please read all application requirements and instructions carefully.
See Deadlines page for applicable deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the deadline. Admission is done on a rolling basis, and early applicants will sometimes have access to more funding opportunities.
Application Requirements:
- 3.00 Undergraduate GPA: Applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 average.
- Four Letters of Recommendation: At least three academic references are preferred. If you have not recently been in an academic setting, you may use professional references from managers, clients, etc.
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Personal Statement: Limited to two pages and should address the following areas:
- Your reasons for applying to CU Boulder and your preparation for this field of study
- Scientific and professional goals and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admission committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study
- If you are interested in pursuing research as part of your degree at CU Boulder, please include the following information in your personal statement:
- What are your research interests?
- Are there any faculty you are specifically interested in working with?
- Please include if you have external funding such as government fellowships, corporate sponsorships, etc.
- If you are interested in pursuing research as part of your degree at CU Boulder, please include the following information in your personal statement:
- Unofficial Transcripts: Upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate institution(s) you attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.
- International Applicants: International applicants must provide a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score if English is not your native language. The English proficiency requirement will be waived if you have completed at least one year of full-time study at a US institution (or at an institution in a country where English is the native language) at the time you apply, and within two years from your desired admission term. Your transcripts are used to confirm this. Non-native English speakers only should provide certification of adequate spoken and written English. Preferred scores for each English proficiency exam are:
- TOEFL 90 (only internet-based tests are accepted)
- IELTS 7.0
- Duolingo 120
- GRE: The GRE is not required.
If you have any problems or questions during the application process, please contact the department’s graduate program advisor.