Step-by-Step Instructions for Applying to the Graduate Program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Please read carefully through these step-by-step instructions before sending questions to the Graduate Coordinator.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers is available here.
1) Admissions requirements
a) Bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree earned or will be earned before entering our graduate program
b) GPA (grade point average) 3.0 in a 4.0 scale (U.S. standards) or the equivalent in another grading system. If your university/college does not use the 4.0 grading system, please translate your GPA into the 4.0 scale if at all possible.
c) GRE general test scores taken within last three years. (There are no published required minimum scores.) For information and test registration, visit the GRE home page at ets.org.
d) Recommendation from at least three people who know your academic achievements and potential
e) TOEFL score if your native language is not English. The minimum score is 90 on Internet-based, 250 on computer-based, and 600 on paper-based test. For information and test registration, visit toefl.org. IELTS (minimum score of 7) is acceptable in lieu of TOEFL. For information and test registration, visit ielts.org. This TOEFL/IELTS requirement is waived for a student who has received or will receive prior to entering our graduate program a degree from a university where English is the official language of communication.
Every fall about 20 applicants are offered admissions to our PhD degree program. Our faculty seeks only the highest caliber students for the number of PhD positions available. Please be sure that you meet the minimum requirements, preferably higher, before you apply.
2) Application deadlines
The deadline for fall semester applications is February 1st.
The deadline for spring semester applications is November 1st.
(Please note that we can admit very few students for a spring semester due to the faculty/space availability.)
Late applications for fall admissions may be considered until April 1st.
However, candidates who miss the application deadline (February 1st) place themselves in a less competitive position.
3) Application packet
A complete application consists of the following.
a) Online application form: Once you have submitted your online application, you cannot change any information provided in the form. Should you need to update your application, please contact the Graduate Coordinator by e-mail with the information that you wish to be in your application.
i) Areas of Study The program offers the following areas of study and applicants should select up to two areas of their interest and indicate in the application form:
· Aero-astronautics
· Biomedical Systems
· Computational Fluid Dynamics
· Computational Mechanics
· Control Systems/Robotics
· Dynamics/Vibrations
· Fluid Mechanics
· Heat Transfer
· Materials Science
· Solid Mechanics
· Thermal Science
b) Application fee: The application fee ($40.00) can be paid online when you submit your online application form. We cannot accept cash, a check or money order. The MEMS department does not grant fee waivers.
Effective Fall 2010 applications, the application fee will be $70.00.
c) Transcripts: One official transcript from all universities/colleges attended. A transcript is considered official when it is enclosed in a sealed envelope with official stamp or signature across the seal when received by the MEMS department. We do not need secondary school (high school) transcripts. If your transcripts and proof of degree are not in English, you must have an official translation from a translation service. The document should be on their letterhead or with their official seal/stamp.
d) GRE: Official report from ETS must be received by the department. Please use the institution code 6609 and department code 1502 for Mechanical Engineering or 1402 for Materials Science. The test must be taken within the last three years.
e) Three letters of recommendation: We can accept letters of recommendation online through your online application or hard copy letters of recommendation sent in mail. If you choose to have your references submit their recommendation online, you must indicate so in your online application form. If you wish your references to submit a hard copy letter of recommendation, the letter must be accompanied by the Rice recommendation form. Each letter or recommendation with the form must be in a sealed envelope signed by the recommender across the seal if the applicant sends it out.
f) TOEFL: Official report from ETS must be received by the department. Please use the institution code 6609 and department code 68. If you take an IELTS in lieu of TOEFL, please write to the Graduate Coordinator so the department will be able to obtain the score directly from the IELTS office.
4) Financial Aid
If you need financial support from Rice (fellowships or assistantships) and you are applying to one of our research programs, please answer “yes” to the question “do you need financial aid from Rice?” found in the application form. Your application will be considered for any applicable fellowships and assistantships available at Rice University. Applicants for the non-research program (MME or MMS) cannot be considered for a financial aid.
The fellowship award consists of monthly stipends provided by the MEMS department and a full tuition waiver offered by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Generally the award is offered to applicants who are seeking full-time admission for the PhD degree as their highest degree. Applicants seeking the MS degree as their highest degree, if offered admission, are usually offered “admission only”.
5) Mailing address
Send your application materials to:
Attn.: Graduate Coordinator
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science – MS 321
Rice University
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
If you are using Express mail, FedEx, DHL, etc., be sure to use our street address:
Attn.: Graduate Coordinator
Rice University – MS 321
MEMS Department
6100 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005-1827
6) Questions?
If you don’t find an answer on this page or FAQs, please contact the Graduate Coordinator:
E-mail: ayao@rice.edu
Phone: 713-348-3582
Address: shown above (in section 5)
Please do not contact the department chair or faculty members to inquire about admissions requirements or application procedures/status. They will simply forward your message to the Graduate Coordinator and this may delay your application process.
7) Notification of application status
The MEMS department will send you an e-mail notification of receipt of your application. If your application is missing an item or items, you will be notified in the e-mail. Only complete applications are reviewed and considered. We will contact the top candidates by e-mail to make offers of admission in mid-March to mid-April. A final application status notification will be sent to all other applicants who are not made offers by the end of May.
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