Admission

Students seeking admission to graduate status at the University of California must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an institution of acceptable standing. The program of preparation should be substantially the same, both in the distribution of academic subject matter and in scholarship achievement, as the requirements for a comparable degree at the University of California.

Applicants for admission are evaluated by the prospective major department and the graduate dean in terms of their scholastic qualifications and their preparation for the proposed field of study. The graduate dean makes the final decision, guided by the recommendation of the major department. The dean may deny admission if the applicant's scholastic record is undistinguished, if preparation is judged inadequate as a foundation for advanced study, or if the department's facilities are already filled to capacity. If the undergraduate background of an otherwise qualified applicant is found to be somewhat deficient in fundamental training, the student may be admitted with the provision that certain specified undergraduate courses be completed. No credit toward an advanced degree will be allowed for such courses.

Application Process

1. Domestic students: Apply via the Web

Laura Reynolds
Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5070
(805) 893-2239
meegrad@engineering.ucsb.edu
Please note: The minimum GPA for all applicants is 3.00 in the last 2 years of undergraduate study. The Graduate Record Examination (General Test only) is required of all applicants.The Mechanical Engineering Department ONLY accepts applications for the Fall Quarter.
Deadline for Fall 2008: January 1, 2008.

2. International students must first obtain a Preliminary Application form via the web, mail or email.

Either completely fill-in the form via the web OR return the hardcopy/e-mail form to the Department Graduate Assistant listed above. Make sure that you do not return the Preliminary Application form without your GPA, TOEFL, and GRE (General Test only) scores. Waiting for your GRE scores will not interfere with any financial aid deadlines.

3. Admissions Committee

The admissions decision is based on a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's intellectual potential and promise, involving a review of 1) the applicant's undergraduate education and records (and MS education and record, if applicable), 2) past research experience, 3) the research interests formulated by the applicant and their programmatic fit with existing research areas in the department, and 4) standardized test scores.

4. Ranking

If you are admitted as a graduate student, you are then ranked according to your achievements. This ranking is then used to consider you for financial support. Everyone who is admitted to graduate standing in our Department is automatically considered for various types of financial support which include fellowships, grants, teaching assistantships (TAs), and graduate research assistantships (GSRs). A student's ranking will determine which type of financial aid is to be awarded. Not all graduate students admitted will receive financial support from our Department.

5. Deadlines for Fall Quarter 2008:

In order to be considered for the full range of financial aid opportunities, complete applications should be submitted by January 1, 2008. However, exceptionally strong candidates will be considered beyond this deadline, subject to the availability of financial aid. (The Mechanical Engineering Department ONLY accepts applications for Fall Quarter.)

For more information, or a preliminary application form, please contact:

Laura Reynolds
Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5070
(805) 893-2239
meegrad@engineering.ucsb.edu