Graduate Admissions
Application Materials
All applications materials must be submitted via the online application portal. Hard copies of application materials will not be considered, nor processed.
The application includes the following materials:
- One official transcript from each post-secondary school
- Three letters of recommendation (must be on official letterhead)
- Resume or CV
- Statement of purpose addressing why you selected your research area, what motivates you to pursue a graduate degree, and your long-term career goals.
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score report (non-English speaking applicants only)
Optional:
- Official GRE score report
Admission Requirements
Master’s program admission requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
Doctoral program admission requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 for courses taken as part of a master’s program.
In addition to the materials supplied above, applicants will fill out an application form online regarding their background, academic interests, and research experience.
Note: Applicants are highly encouraged to provide the optional materials as part of their application package. Doing so provides the graduate admission committee with the most complete picture of you, the applicant. This can make you more competitive for scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships. Applicants cannot be considered for any financial assistance until the complete application has been submitted and the materials reviewed.
*All application materials must be received before any kind of decision is made.
- GRE score report codes:
- Institution Code: 6871
- Program Code: 1601
- TOEFL score report codes: (non-English speaking students only)
- Institution Code: 6871
- Program Code: 63
Admissions Deadline
Fall Admission:
- Priority Deadline: December 1
- December Final Deadline: April 1
- Deadline for online program: August 13
Spring Admission:
- Priority Deadline: September 1
- Final Deadline: December 1
- Deadline for online program: December 2
Summer Admission:
- Final Deadline: April 1
For full consideration for fellowships, scholarships and research/teaching assistantships, all applications materials must be received by the priority deadlines.
Document Specifications
Application Fees:
Domestic Students: Online $65
International Students: $100
Transcript
Your official transcript must be uploaded to your application portal before any admissions decisions will be made. If admitted, your degree conferral transcripts must be received by the end of your first semester of enrollment to be eligible to continue enrollment. Determinations of equivalency and official status for international transcripts are made by credential evaluators at the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Letters of Recommendation
Please include full first and last name of all recommenders on your application. Recommenders will receive instructions on submission at the time the application is submitted, this includes the recommendation form and instructions for uploading documents. Recommendations must be submitted through this process. Letters uploaded by the applicant are not valid.
GRE Scores
GRE scores are not required for admission but are still encouraged for financial awards. GRE scores must be received by the University directly from ETS. Student copies or copies provided by the student are not considered.
Non-English Speaking Applicants
The following standardized tests are required to demonstrate an applicant’s level of English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE; test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University. All testing results are considered expired after two years. For other options to demonstrate English proficiency, please check English proficiency requirements and Applied English Center.
Statement of Financial Resources
As a part of the application process, most international students must submit credible evidence of financial support for the first year of study unless they are in an online program. Financial documents must be less than 6 months old, indicating the type and amount of currency in US dollars. Details about acceptable financial support is available at International Support Services. Information regarding the cost of attendance for the first year is at International Student Estimated Cost of Attendance.
Admissions Standards
Students who wish to apply for admission to the Aerospace Engineering Graduate Program must have a BSAE degree or a BS degree in a closely related field from a university or college with a program equivalent to the KU BSAE program. Students who do not meet these qualifications may have to make-up certain undergraduate AE courses at the discretion of the department graduate advisor may have to make-up undergraduate AE courses at the discretion of the department graduate advisor. Such students will be admitted provisionally until a plan of study for make-up courses is completed.
English Proficiency Requirement
All non-English speaking students and/or international students and who are admitted to campus-based programs are required to check-in at the Applied English Center (AEC) upon arrival on campus. At that time, the AEC will confirm the student's level of English proficiency and determine if English courses are required. Any courses required as a result of the AEC Proficiency Test must be completed within 3 semesters of initial enrollment. Failure to complete the English proficiency requirement within this time limit may result in dismissal from the Aerospace Engineering graduate program.
Financial Aid
A variety of scholarships, fellowships , and assistantships are available to graduate students through the School of Engineering and KU. Decisions regarding financial aid are made by the graduate admissions committee and are based on application materials.