Who Should Apply? 

Our graduates are expected to become outstanding engineers and professionals. We want individuals who will be able to contribute to, and benefit from, the programs offered by the School. Demonstrated engineering skills, research ability, and the potential for future growth are important factors in the evaluation of applicants. We value prior experience in engineering and research because it leads to an understanding of complex technical matters, provides chances to assume responsibility, and gives opportunities to take initiative in solving technical problems. 

Evaluation of intellectual ability is based on the candidate’s academic record, graduate work, if any, test scores, letters of recommendation, as well as other evidence that you present. Because of the participatory nature of our graduate programs, you must have well-developed written and oral skills in English. Another important criterion is personal integrity, responsible decision-making, motivation, ethical standards, and interpersonal skills. These characteristics are assessed primarily through your biographical essay and the three required letters of recommendation. Admission to our graduate program is very competitive. Each year there are more outstanding applicants than there are places. 

Students with a BS or/and MS degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Physics, or in a related field of science and engineering can be admitted in the graduate program. You may be required to take additional courses upon admission depending on your background. 

Our primary recruitment focus is on students who will be staying through their doctoral studies. Our faculty are heavily engaged in research topics and techniques that require a long-term commitment from their students. Therefore, our recruitment emphasis is on recruiting students who will be staying for doctoral studies rather than Master's only. Funding is typically not available for students pursuing an MS. Exceptions are only possible where faculty have a specific requirement for a MS student on a research project and have funding available. MS applicants who do not require funding may apply for either thesis or non-thesis track. Before applying, students pursuing an MS with thesis must first identify a faculty member willing to advise the thesis and cover the research costs before being considered for admission. The graduate office must receive notice from the faculty member that they agree to advise the thesis before the application would be considered for an MS with thesis admission. International students typically have to be able to show that they have around $52,000 USD available for their first year of studies in order to get an I-20 for studies at GT. Tuition amounts can be found at: http://www.bursar.gatech.edu/content/tuition-fees These amounts do not include living expenses. 

We do not accept transfer students for the graduate program in Materials Science and Engineering. 

How to Apply 

You must apply to the School of Materials Science and Engineering directly online through http://www.grad.gatech.edu/apply-now. 

Before applying, please see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Graduate Studies website located at: https://grad.gatech.edu/faq/knowledgebase.php?category=2  Many of your questions will be answered here. 

Application requirements 

GPA Requirements 

An undergraduate degree GPA of at least 3.2 is required to pursue a Ph.D., and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to pursue an M.S.  Over the past ten years, the average GPA of students accepted into the graduate program was a 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. 

International Student Requirements 

Georgia Tech requires that all applicants demonstrate proof of English language proficiency at the time of application. Georgia Tech accepts both the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the IELTS. We do not accept Duolingo as proof of English proficiency.

• To satisfy the English Proficiency requirement, International applicants can provide:
  • Proof of citizenship from an approved country, or
  • Evidence of degree earned from a regionally accredited (or international equivalent) university or college where English was the sole language of instruction*, or
  • Successful completion of GTLI Upper Advanced 700 Level Intensive English Program, or
  • Valid Test score as outlined at https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency in the Test Score Requirements section

The Graduate Education office will verify whether English is the sole official language of instruction at your institution. Please note that a transcript stating English as the medium of instruction is not sufficient. If they determine that English is not the only language of instruction, you will need to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements through one of the approved methods listed on their website at https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency

TOEFL Requirements (Departmental minimums, which are higher than Institute minimums ) Scores must be sent via the ETS electronic score delivery service to Georgia Institute of Technology, "Graduate", institute code 5248

• Institute Code: 5248
• Department Code: 69
• Minimum total TOEFL score: 100 (with a minimum of 19 in each category, and a minimum of 26 in the speaking category)

IELTS Requirements: (Institute & departmental minimums) Scores must be sent via the IELTS electronic score delivery service to Georgia Institute of Technology, "Graduate"

• Georgia Tech will accept either the standard IELTS Academic test scores or the IELTS Indicator Academic scores.
• Minimum IELTS scores:  Reading: 6.5, Listening: 6.5, Speaking: 6.5, Writing: 5.5, Overall: 7.

Please see the Graduate Education website for detailed information regarding the Institute’s English proficiency requirements: https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency **Please note that the department has higher minimum requirements than the Institute for the TOEFL.  

We recommend that you achieve acceptable scores prior to submitting your application. If you have further questions regarding English proficiency, please contact Graduate Education at: grad.ask@grad.gatech.edu

Application Fee 

A non-refundable application fee must be remitted with your application. It cannot be deferred until an admissions decision is made. Georgia Tech's graduate application fee is $95 per application for domestic applicants, and $105 for international applicants.  For more details on submitting the application fee, see https://grad.gatech.edu/faq/knowledgebase.php?category=2   

Do you have more questions about our graduate program? Then take a look at our Graduate Programs FAQ page.