Graduate Admissions

The application process for Fall 2013 is now CLOSED.

 

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) -- Admissions for answers to most questions.
 
Please see https://gradapply.ucsd.edu/ to apply or log in.

The deadline to apply for fall admissions 2013 is December 15, 2012.  There is only one deadline and it applies to ALL applicants for the MAE graduate programs. We cannot accept late applications.

Applicants need not have completed their undergraduate programs in order to apply. However, when an applicant's grades or preparation appear to be marginal, the department or the Office of Graduate Studies and Research may defer action upon an application until a supplementary record or evidence of the receipt of a degree becomes available.

How to apply

The application process for Fall 2013 is now CLOSED.

Go to the on-line graduate application. Read and follow all instructions.

Graduate Application and Admissions Information

What you will need to apply

  • Academic records from all post-secondary institutions attended.
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores. The UCSD Institution Code is 4836.
  • A minimum of three letters of recommendation. We accept online letters of recommendation only. For the online letter of recommendation process, you must provide the email address of each recommender.
  • International applicants only: Scores for the TOEFL or IELTS Academic Training exam to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

Graduate record examination (GRE)

Applicants who are applying for admission to MAE should take the GRE exam as early as possible. However, results of the exam can reported in the on line tool AFTER the application deadline. We only require unofficial scores until the time that you are offered admission to UCSD. Once admission is offered, we will require the official document. If you have the official results, please upload them into the application. You do NOT need to send them to us until you are offered admission.

PhD and MS applicants that are offered admission typically show a quantitative GRE score in the 90% percentile and above. We do not have a minimum requirement.

 

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

All international applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English must take the TOEFL.  Those with the status "permanent resident" do not need to take the TOEFL. Test scores can be self-reported on the application website. If offered admission, then the official scores must be sent in to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Minimum TOEFL requirements for admission are: IBT 80, paper-based 550; IELTS 7.

Application: Information and forms are available from the MAE Student Affairs Office in EBU II or from the TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or from United States embassies, consulates, and related centers; and the San Diego State University Testing Office, Student Services Building, Room 2549, 5300 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182-0577. Telephone: (858) 594-5216. There is also lots of helpful information at www.ets.org.

Second Degree in MS or PhD

UC San Diego will not admit a student into the MS program if the student already possess an MS in the same or related field (engineering, physics, math for example).

UC San Diego will not admit a student into the PhD program if the student already possess a PhD in the same or related field (engineering, physics, math for example).

Admission and Registration

Official admission to graduate study at the university is contingent upon review of an applicant's record, receipt of final undergraduate transcript showing degree(s) awarded, an affirmative recommendation by the department and action by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The dean of Graduate Studies or the department may deny admission if an applicant's scholastic record is undistinguished, if the preparation is judged inadequate as a foundation for advanced work, or in the event that no further students can be accommodated for a given quarter. Only the official Certificate of Admission from the dean of Graduate Studies constitutes formal approval of admission to a graduate program at UCSD.

Official notification of admission by the dean of Graduate Studies will be emailed well in advance of the beginning of the quarter for which application has been made.

Admission to graduate standing does not constitute registration for classes. A student is not officially registered for classes until the entire registration procedure is completed each quarter. Information and all necessary registration materials will be available at department offices approximately two weeks before the opening of the quarter.