Application Deadlines and Instructions

Announcements: The GRE exam is not required for Fall 2023 (but may be required in the future).

Graduate Program Application Deadlines


Semester Domestic Priority Deadline Domestic Final Deadline International Student Deadline
Fall 1 January April 1 15 January
Spring N/A 1 November Not Admitted
Summer N/A 15 March Not Admitted

*Note: International students are typically admitted for fall semester only (contact the Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Advisor to see if an exception can be made if you are already in the United States.

Graduate Degree Programs


  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
    • Ph.D. Post-B.S.
    • Ph.D. Post-M.S.

Application Procedures and Information

We accept domestic students year-round on a rolling admissions basis. The majority of funding is given to students beginning in fall semesters. To be eligible for fall funding, applications are due January 1. Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis. Please contact Grad Advisor for information regarding late deadlines.

Requirements


  1. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  2. GRE General Test – admitted students typically have highly competitive GRE scores, particularly on the quantitative section
  3. Proficiency in Allied Fields Mastered Undergraduate Courses before entry into the graduate program
  4. Application Fees: Domestic PhD $0 and Domestic MS $55

How to Apply


Step 1: Take the GRE (Not required for Fall 2023 admissions, but may be required in the future)

  1. Register for the General GRE at www.ets.org
  2. General GRE Test Scores must be submitted to the University of Utah directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS)
  3. Send scores using Institution Code 4853 (U Utah) Department Code 1502 (Mechanical Engineering)
    • Photocopies, student copies, and screen shots will not be accepted
    • GRE results must be less than five years old at the time of admission

NOTE: Allow two months for scoring, mailing, and processing. For example, we recommend taking your tests in October in order to meet the January application deadline.

Step 2: Submit Application & Pay Fee

  1. Admissions – Application Guide
  2. Begin Application
  3. Pay nonrefundable application fee
    • This fee is required
      • The MS fee is $55. The Domestic PhD fee is $0 with a waiver code (request code here).
  4. Upload the following required materials with the online application:
    • GRE Raw Test Scores (self reported)(optional for Spring and Fall 2022; recommended if the scores will enhance your application)
      • Your official scores should be sent well before application submission
    • Statement of Purpose (see #1 Admissions-Application Guide above for guidance)
    • Resume
    • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • Unofficial transcripts
    • One page writing sample of recent research or publication (optional)

NOTE: Your University of Utah application will not be considered complete until the online application is submitted and the Admissions Office has received your official GRE test scores and application fee. We recommend submitting this application and sending supporting documents well ahead of the application deadlines to ensure admission consideration.

Step 3: Check Application Status

  1. Review what materials have been received by logging back into the ApplyYourself application with your PIN and password.
    • If an item isn’t listed on the application home screen, then it has not been uploaded or received yet.
    • This instructional document will assist you: click here.

Step 4: Processing

  1. The Admissions Office will evaluate your transcripts for completeness. Once the Admissions Office has deemed the application complete, it will forward the application to the department. Please allow 2 months for Admissions Office processing.
  2. Once the department receives your completed application from the Admissions Office, we will begin the review process. Review will take 1-2 months.
  3. Once review is finished, your application status online will read: “Fully Reviewed.”
  4. The department will notify you of its admission decision informally via email. A formal letter will follow.

If the Department Admits You


  1. The department will send paperwork to the Admissions Office to declare the decision.
  2. The Admissions Office will verify that you meet admissions standards.
  3. If you do, they will send you an official acceptance letter via surface mail.
    • Mail Official Transcripts to Admissions Office
    • University of Utah graduates (B.S. or B.A.) are not required to submit University of Utah official transcripts
    • Do NOT mail transcripts to the department
  4. Congratulations! You’ve been admitted.

International students are admitted for Fall semester only. All materials, including test scores and transcripts, must be received before or on the deadline. Applications that are submitted after January 15 may not be considered. Please contact Grad Advisor for information regarding late deadlines.

Requirements


  1. Undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  2. GRE General test – admitted students typically have highly competitive GRE scores, particularly on the quantitative section (Not required for Fall 2023 admissions, but my be required in the future.)
  3. TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo – admitted students typically obtain highly competitive English Proficiency scores. More information on University of Utah minimum English Proficiency requirements.
  4. Proficiency in the following courses:
    • Mathematics through Partial Differential Equations
    • Basic Engineering Physics I and II
    • College-level Chemistry
    • Computer Programming
    • Basic Electrical Engineering
    • Engineering Materials and Processes
    • Solid Mechanics I, II, and III
    • Basic Engineering Thermodynamics
    • Fluid Mechanics
    • Heat Transfer
    • Mechanical Design/Mechatronics
    • Our graduate-level courses are taught with the assumption that students have mastered all of these skills. No remedial assistance is provided at the graduate level. Students concerned about their preparation should take corresponding U of U courses listed on the second page of our Allied Fields Mastered Undergraduate Courses document before entry into the graduate program (consult your faculty advisor or Director of Graduate Studies to see which courses would be necessary/appropriate for you to take).
  5. Application Fees: International PhD and International MS fee is $65.

How to Apply


Step 1: Demonstrate English Proficiency

Ways of demonstrating English Proficiency:

  1. Obtain a degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university within the past two years.
  2. Obtain a degree from a regionally-accredited or ministry of education approved international college or university within the past two years from certain English-speaking countries.
  3. Take a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at www.ets.org, or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) at www.ielts.org, or Duolingo at englishtest.duolingo.com.
    • TOEFL Test Scores must be submitted to the University Admissions Office directly using Institution Code 4853.
    • IELTS Test Scores must be sent from your testing center directly to the University of Utah.
    • DUOLINGO Test Scores can be sent by logging onto your Duolingo account, selecting the “Send Results”, and then selecting the University of Utah as the receiving institution.
    • Photocopies, student copies, and screenshots will not be accepted.
    • Test results must be less than two years old at the time of admission.

NOTE: Allow three months for scoring and processing. We recommend taking your tests in September in order to meet the January application and funding deadline. Additional details for how to demonstrate English proficiency can be found here.

Step 2: Take the GRE (not required in Fall 2023 admissions, but may be required in the future)

  1. Register for the General GRE at www.ets.org
  2. General GRE Test Scores must be submitted to the University of Utah directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS)
  3. Send scores using Institution Code 4853 (U Utah) Department Code 1502 (Mechanical Engineering)
    • Photocopies, student copies, and screen shots will not be accepted
    • GRE results must be less than five years old at the time of admission

NOTE: Allow two months for scoring, mailing, and processing. We recommend taking your tests in October in order to meet the January application and funding deadline.

Step 3: Submit Application & Pay Fee

  1. Admissions – Application Guide
  2. Begin Application
  3. Pay nonrefundable application fee
    • This fee is required, the department is not able to waive this fee
    • The application fee for International PhD applicants and International MS applicants is $65.
  4. Upload the following required materials with the online application:
    • TOEFL Raw Test Scores (self reported)
      • Your official scores should be sent well before application submission
    • GRE Raw Test Scores (self reported)
      • Your official scores should be sent well before application submission
    • Statement of Purpose (see #1 “Admissions-Application Guide” above for guidance)
    • Resume
    • Previous Research Experience and/or Publications
    • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • Unofficial transcripts

NOTE: Your University of Utah application will not be considered complete until the online application is submitted and the Admissions Office has received your official GRE and TOEFL/IELTS test scores and application fee. We recommend submitting this application and sending supporting documents well ahead of the application deadlines to ensure admission consideration.

Step 4: Check Application Status

  1. Review what materials have been received by logging back into the ApplyYourself application with your PIN and password.
    • If an item isn’t listed on the application home screen, then it has not been uploaded or received yet.
  2. Check the receipt of your TOEFL scores and transcripts through the International Admissions Office Tracking System

NOTE: You will not need to submit a copy of the 1st page of your passport and Graduate Financial Statement until you have been officially admitted by the Admissions Office. Admitted students will receive a letter from the Admissions Office with instructions on how to submit these materials.

Step 5: Processing

  1. The International Admissions Office (IAO) will evaluate your transcripts for completeness. Once the IAO has deemed the application complete, it will forward the application to the department. Please allow two months for IAO processing.
  2. Once the department receives your completed application from the IAO, we will begin the review process. Review will take 1-2 months.
  3. Once review is finished, your application status online will read: “Fully Reviewed.”
  4. The department will notify you of its admission decision informally via email. A formal letter will follow.

***If the Department Admits You***

  1. The department will send paperwork to the Admissions Office to declare the decision.
    • Mail Official Transcripts to Admissions Office
    • University of Utah graduates (B.S. or B.A.) are not required to submit University of Utah official transcripts
    • Do NOT mail transcripts to the department
  2. The department will send paperwork to the International Admissions Office (IAO) to declare the decision.
  3. The IAO will verify that you meet admissions standards and that all documents have been received. Please check with the IAO to confirm.
  4. If you do meet the admission standards and all documents have been received, the IAO will send you an official acceptance letter via surface mail.
  5. The IAO will make the formal request for your I-20. Once they have approval, they will process your I-20. Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.
  6. Once your I-20 is complete, the IAO will send it to you via surface mail. Please allow an additional 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Step 6: Obtain Your Visa

  1. Make sure you receive both your official admissions letter and your I-20 from the International Admissions Office.
  2. Take your I-20, along with notice of acceptance and proof of financial responsibility, to the visa officer of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your home country. You may have to make an appointment in advance.
  3. If approved, you are granted a student visa (F1 Student Status) to enter the U.S.
  4. Make your travel arrangements to arrive in the U.S. 10-14 days before classes start.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah selects the top candidates (Domestic and International Students in the US only) to attend our Graduate Visitation Weekend. During the visit, prospective students will learn about the department and graduate program, the University of Utah, and the Salt Lake City area. Typically, the majority of visitation weekend attendees receive offers for full funding. Plus, travel expenses are on us!

Questions regarding transcripts, application fees, TOEFL scores, and I-20’s, contact:

Office of Admissions
Phone: (801) 581-8761
Toll-free: (800) 685-8856
Fax: (801) 585-7864
Email: admissions@utah.edu

Domestic Student Admissions
Email: graduate@sa.utah.edu

International Student Admissions
Email: iao@sa.utah.edu

Questions regarding undergraduate pre-requisites, research projects, and graduate classes,
or questions regarding deadlines, application forms, and application procedures, contact:

Mark Fehlberg, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Studies & Assistant Professor
Phone: (801) 585-9293
Fax: (801) 585-9826
Email: m.fehlberg@utah.edu

Questions regarding the M.S./M.B.A. dual application process and program requirements, contact:

David Eccles School of Business:
Phone: (801) 581-7785
Email: mastersinfo@business.utah.edu