If you are a Prospective Graduate Student. . .
. . .here are just a few of the things that make Mechanical Engineering at UConn a great choice for graduate education:
- Excellent Faculty: 29 faculty members, including 4 endowed chair and named professors, and many recipients of such prestigious awards as the National Science Foundation CAREER, Office of Naval Research Young Investigator, Army Research Office Young Investigator, NIH Trailblazer Award, and Presidential Young Investigator.
- Exciting Research Programs: Students choose from a broad range of research projects funded by federal agencies and major national and international corporations.
- Growing, Energetic Department: Our department continues to grow with the addition of new faculty members working in exciting and emerging areas.
- Top Graduate Students: Our graduate students come from leading national and international educational programs. Most are supported through fellowships, teaching and research assistantships that provide an attractive stipend, health insurance, and full tuition with the total package worth over $33,500/year.
The University of Connecticut is one of the top 20 public universities in the nation. In 2017, UConn was ranked 18th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply directly to the PhD Program without an M.S. degree?
Yes.
Can I apply to the program if I do not have a degree in Mechanical Engineering?
Yes, if your previous coursework relates to specific research areas in the department, such as a background in physics or math.
How many letters of recommendation are required, and is there a standard form?
Three letters of recommendation are required, one of which should be from your major advisor (if in previous graduate studies). Letters of recommendation must be uploaded into the graduate school application database from your recommenders.
Recommended deadlines for submitting completed applications are as follows:
For both M.S. and Ph.D. applications, January 1st for Fall semester admission and August 1st for Spring semester admission. Applications will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis until all openings are filled or the admission deadline set forth by the Graduate School has been met. Please find the Graduate Program website the important admission deadlines.
Are GREs required, and what is the required score? Is a GRE subject test required for admission?
The GRE subject test is not required by our department.
What criteria does the admissions committee use to evaluate applicants for admission?
The admissions committee considers the balance of your: academic preparation, undergraduate GPA, transcripts, personal statement, research experience (research statement), and letters of recommendation. The decision is not based on any one category.
Where do I send my supporting documents?
All supporting documents should be sent to the Graduate School gradadmissions@uconn.edu or uploaded into the Graduate School Application Status Portal by the applicant.
Are there any Fellowship Opportunities for Incoming Graduate Students?
Yes, as described on the Graduate School’s website.
Is there funding available for students?
Many faculty members have active grants that continually support graduate research assistants through graduate assistantships. Please contact the faculty for availability.
Teaching assistantships are limited and are usually offered in the Fall to graduate students for a period of two academic semesters, with preference given to new graduate students.
Do you accept changes to submitted applications?
Our program does not allow changes to an application once it has been submitted. You can provide this document to any faculty member you’re in correspondence for their review. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this policy as it is our priority to make the application process equitable for all applicants.
Is there any criteria for the writing samples?
There is no official criteria for the writing samples; this content is up to the applicant to decide.
How can I check the status of my application? When can I expect a decision regarding my application?
The deadline for programs to make admission decisions for each semester can be found on the Graduate Admissions website. If an applicant is contacted by a faculty member who is interested in being the applicant's major advisor and supporting the applicant through a research assistantship, and if the faculty member has made a verbal offer to the applicant, we process the admission decision early. Otherwise, we wait until the deadline Graduate School to make a final decision.
Please be aware that the review process may take longer than expected as this is dependent on the volume of applications. Until a final decision has been made, you may continue to follow the progress of your application through your Application Status Portal.
Can I defer my admission?
With approval from your admitted program, you may defer your admission up to 1 full academic year from the original term your application was submitted for.
A request to defer your admission should be made through the Accounts & Forms area of your Application Status Portal.
May I defer payment of the application fee until after I am admitted?
Your application is not considered complete or submitted until your application fee payment is fulfilled. We cannot waive or defer the fee.
Is an English Proficiency test required for all international students?
Regardless of visa status, students whose primary** language is not English, must show evidence of proficiency in the English Language by submitting either TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores.
**A primary language is defined as a language used to communicate since childhood.
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo scores are only valid for two years (from original test date to submission of UConn application).
Scores that an applicant self-reports or uploads to an application are considered to be unofficial. Official scores that meet our English proficiency requirement must be received directly from the testing agency.