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Are you interested in becoming a future Mechanical Engineering (ME) graduate student?

• Request information as a prospective student

 Application Deadlines

Fall Term Admission (September through December):

• For Doctoral (PhD) Applicants: December 15th
• For Master (MSE) Applicants: January 15th
• For Sequential Graduate and Undergraduate Studies (SGUS) and Engineering Global Leadership (EGL) Applicants: January 15th
• For current or previous U-M Ann Arbor Graduate Student (changing from MSE to PhD):  April 7th.

Winter Term Admission (January through April):

• For Master (MSE) Applicants: August 1st
• For Sequential Graduate and Undergraduate Studies (SGUS) and Engineering Global Leadership (EGL) Applicants: August 1st
• For current or previous U-M Ann Arbor Graduate Student (changing from MSE to PhD):  November 7th

Please note:  The Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department accepts Doctoral applications for the fall term only. Please adhere to the application deadlines when applying to the program.

General Application Information

Prospective students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the Mechanical Engineering Department must submit a Horace H. Rackham Graduate School online application.  The statement of purpose, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and curriculum vitae can be submitted online.  Please see the Application & Admission Requirements section below for information on how to apply to our graduate program.

Application materials undergo a comprehensive review by the ME Graduate Admission Committee. The Graduate Admission Committee is a faculty group who reviews all applications submitted, determines how many students will be admitted to the program and provides recommendations for admission to the Academic Services Office (ASO) to disseminate to all applicants.   The Academic Services Office (ASO) will provide the committee's recommendations to Rackham.  Rackham will then review the compliance of University policies and then notify the applicant via e-mail to provide an official admission decision to them.  For detailed information on Rackham admissions criteria and application procedures, please visit the Rackham Admissions web page.

Admission decisions are based on the quality of a combination of factors, including academic degrees and records, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, and research and relevant work experience.  The applicant's background and life experience may also be considered in determining how it would contribute significantly to an educationally beneficial mix of students in the department.   In addition, consideration is given to the match between applicant's research goals and those of an ME faculty member including the availability of funding for a project well-suited to the Ph.D. student capabilities.  Applicants are encouraged to contact ME faculty to discuss research opportunities.

Admission Guidelines

The ME Graduate Admission Committee uses a holistic approach to analyzing the application. We encourage applications from students with diverse scientific backgrounds such as other engineering disciplines, mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology.

We are looking for students who are strong in at least three of the four areas below.  If you feel that your GRE or GPA is not strong enough, please know that the Graduate Admission Committee reviews the whole application when considering who to admit to the program.

• Average GPA in the 3.2-3.5 range or better on a 4.0 scale
• GRE scores in the 80-90th percentile
• Strong letters of recommendation
• Strong Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement (two separate essays are required)

Application Requirements

Rackham Online Application:

• Prospective students must submit a Rackham Graduate School online application in order to apply to our graduate program.
• Applicants are required to create and Apply-Web Account in order to access the online application.
• If you are current or previous Rackham student, who has taken classes at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus, choose the appropriate application for you.
• Engineering Global Leadership (EGL) Honors program: Please note that interested prospective students must submit an online application to the Master program. Further information can be found on the Undergraduate Handbook or EGL website.
• If an applicant previously applied to one of the past terms, the Rackham Graduate School requires a new application to be submitted, a new application fee and supporting documents. 
• If you would like to request the Academic Services Office (ASO) to pull your transcript from your previous application, please send an e-mail to me-grad-application@umich.edu. We encourage applicants to provide new letters of recommendation with the new application. However, we will pull them if requested by the applicant.
• If an applicant submitted an online application with the College of Engineering and meant to apply to a Rackham Graduate program, the applicant will need to submit a Rackham online application and pay a new application fee.  If application documents were mailed to the CoE program, an applicant can request them to forward those documents to Mechanical Engineering Department.

Rackham Application fee:

• U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: $65
• Non-Residents: $75
• Current or previous U-M Ann Arbor Students (who will receive or have received a Rackham degree (alumni) and are applying to another Rackham degree program): $10

Curriculum Vitae/Resume (4 page limit)

Statement of Purpose (SOP):

• The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about an applicant's academic and research background, career goals, and how this graduate program will help meet career and educational objectives.
• Applicants typically provide a 1-3 page document along with the online application. There are no minimum word requirements. There are no specific guidelines for formatting (e.g., page length, font type, etc).
• We require two separate documents with different information for the Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement.

Personal Statement (PS):

• The Personal Statement is an essay about how an applicant's background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, and educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated the decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. For example, if an applicant grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, they might discuss the impact this had on their development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that led to the decision to seek a graduate degree.
• The Personal Statement document should be 500 words or less.   There are no specific guidelines for formatting (e.g., font type, font size, etc.).
• We require two separate documents with different information for the Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement. 

Letters of Recommendation:

• The electronic submission of recommendation letters through the online application system is the preferred method.
• Paper recommendation letters are accepted via mail or e-mail to Mechanical Engineering from the person writing the letter of recommendation.  The Mechanical Engineering mailing address is listed below. Do not send paper recommendation letters to Rackham or this will delay your application processing. 
• If a professor or industry person is having difficulty uploading a letter of recommendation online, we will accept the letter via email. However, please note that the letter of recommendation will only be accepted by the recommender. Applicants should provide the Recommendation for Admission form to the recommender in order for them to submit this to us. Please refer to the Rackham Graduate School Submitting Letters of Recommendation page.
• If an applicant would like to submit more than three letters of recommendation please follow the same process to submit the letter and Recommendation for Admission to us at me-grad-application@umich.edu as listed above.
• We will accept letters of recommendation that arrive after the application deadline. We understand that professors may not provide the letters to us by the deadline. Your application will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee once all application requirements have been received in our office.  We encourage you to check your Applicant Status Page daily to see when the items have been marked as processed or received.
• For the Doctoral Program, 3 letters are required. Two of the three letters must come from a university professor.
• For the Master Program, 2 letters are required. One of the two letters must come from a university professor. 
• For the SGUS and EGL Programs, 3 letters are required. Two of the three letters must come from a university professor.
• Mechanical Engineering Department Address:
• University of Michigan
• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Academic Services Office (ASO)
• 2206 G.G. Brown
• 2350 Hayward Street
• Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125
• Email: me-grad-application@umich.edu

Scientific/technical writing publications/sample (optional):

• Applicants are encouraged to submit up to two publications that have been accepted by reputable peer-reviewed journals. Please note: if more than two writing samples are submitted, none shall be reviewed. These submissions are used to assist the department to match student and faculty interests and will not be a dominant factor in admission decisions.

 Submit Research Interest Form online to Mechanical Engineering Department:

• An email notification will be sent from ME to applicants 1-3 weeks after the submission of the online application. The requested information should be filled out in order to avoid any delay in the application processing. 

Mail Official Transcripts to Rackham:

• One set of official undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts are required to be sent to the Rackham Graduate School.  Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department does not require an offiical transcript to be mailed to us. ME will obtain your official transcript from Rackham's online imaging system.
• Mechanical Engineering does not accept unofficial transcript information uploaded with the online application.  
• See Rackham's webpage to obtain information and the mailing address to Submit Transcripts to Rackham.
• Rackham's Academic Records/Transcript Submission Form - Rackham requires the transcript submission form to be submitted with the transcript.
• Rackham only requires official transcripts from the institution an applicant will obtain a degree from.  If an applicant attended an institution outside the U.S. for two years and transferred to a U.S. institution and will receive the degree from there, then the applicant should only submit the U.S. transcript where the degree was earned.  
• If an applicant attended an international university for all years of study, then Rackham requires anofficial transcript from that institution.

Applicant's whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official score reports

• International students can either take the TOEFL, IELTS, or the MELAB. 
• Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English exclusively are exempt.
• If an international applicant has completed or will soon finish their degree at a United States institituion, the TOEFL requirement will automatically be waived by our office.  
• TOEFL, MELAB, and IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date.
• TOEFL scores are sent via ETS. No photocopies are accepted.
• UM Institution Code: 1839
• MELAB/IELTS: The original score report should be mailed directly to the Rackham Graduate School.
• Valid minimum score requirements: TOEFL (Internet-84 and Paper-560), MELAB (80), IELTS (6.5). Applicants must re-take the test if their scores are below the minimum requirements. 
• Instructions for first time enrollee applicants whose native language is not English.
• Test scores should arrive prior to the application deadline date.

Submit GRE Test Scores

• ETS recommends students to register early in order to get the preferred date and location.
• GRE revised General Test helpline: GREhelpline@ets.org or 1-609-683-2662.
• GRE scores are required for Master's and Doctoral applicants.
• SGUS and EGL applicants do not submit GRE scores.
• Currently only Mechanical Engineering students can participate in the ME SGUS program.  
• GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
• GRE scores should be in the 80-90th percentile.
• GRE scores are sent via ETS; paper copies are not accepted. Please do not send them to us.
• Provide code 1839 to ETS for test results to be sent to the University of Michigan.
• GRE scores should arrive prior to the application deadline. Receiving scores after the deadline can cause a delay in receiving an admission decision.

For applying to the Fall 2012:

• If an applicant previously took the GRE General Test (old version of GRE) ME will accept those scores with the Fall 2012 application if they are still valid (five years from the test date). There is no need to take the new test unless an applicant would like to improve their score. This decision to take the test again is up to the applicant.
• GRE revised General Test will replace the GRE General test format for future tests. Test results will be available mid-November 2011. We recommend that you take the GRE revised General Test early enough for your scores to be received by the Fall 2012 application deadline associated with our graduate programs. Please note: If you already took the GRE General Test and your scores are still valid, we will accept these for the Fall 2012 application.
• Registration for the new GRE revised General Test
• New score range for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170; Analytical Writing score range:   0-6. 
• Prepare for the GRE revised General Test
• Free test preparation materials for GRE revised General Test
• New information and resources for test takers

Please note: All application materials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form. 

Documents to Mail to the Rackham Graduate School

• Rackham requires the official transcript and degree certificate (for international applicants) to be mailed to them.  Rackham has a webpage that provides more information on Submitting Transcripts to Rackham.  ME does not accept an uploaded transcript with the online application. Mechanical Enginering will be able to view all documents mailed or uploaded to Rackham on their online imaging system.  Please do not mail official transcripts to Mechanical Engineering.

• IELTS score report for anyone who took this test. This score report should be mailed directly to Rackham.

Current or Previous U-M Ann Arbor Graduate Student Interested in Pursuing a PhD after the Master's degree

U-M master students can apply for a change of program from MSE to PhD.  U-M students must submit a Rackham online application and pay the $10 application fee.  

Change of Program Application deadline dates (for current or previous U-M Ann Arbor Graduate Students only):

• Winter term:  The last day to submit an application is November 7th.   The online application will open September 5, 2012.
• Fall term:  The last day to submit an application is March 15th.  The online application will open September 5th.

There are two categories:

Current U-M Dearborn or Flint Students

• We require students enrolled at the U-M Dearborn or Flint campus to provide the below application requirements to us. Please see additional information explaining the application requirements above.
• U-M master students can apply for a change of program from MSE to PhD.  U-M students must submit a Rackham online applicaiton and pay the $10 application fee.   When filling out the online application, please make sure to answer the question properly that asks if you are currently enrolled in a Rackham program in order to pay the $10 application fee. If you answer it incorrectly the application fee will show as $65 U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident or $75 for international student.
• International students must complete their master program before being admitted to the PhD program per Rackham and International Center policy.

• Online application
• Curriculumn Vitae/Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Personal Statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Official transcript
• GRE test scores: valide for five years from the test date.

Admission Decisions

Applicants are notified via email when a recommendation for admission is available from ME.   Recommendations for admission are determined by the Graduate Admission Committee who then informs the ASO staff person to disseminate to all applicants and the Rackham Graduate School.

The Rackham Graduate School provides the final admission decisions to all applicants via e-mail. 

For Doctoral Applicants:

• Fall term only:  Recommendations for admission are made beginning mid-March though April by Mechanical Engineering to the Rackham Graduate School.

For Master Applicants:

• Winter term: Recommendations for admission are made beginning mid-November through December by Mechanical Engineering.  
• Fall term: Admission decisions are made beginning mid-March through April.

For SGUS and EGL Applicants:

• Winter term: Admission decisions are made beginning mid-November through December.
• Fall term: Admission decisions are made beginning mid-March though April.

Mechanical Engineering Graduate and Special Programs

Doctoral Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is the highest degree awarded by the Mechanical Engineering Department and is recommended for students who are interested in leadership careers in academia (e.g., as a faculty member of a university), industry, or government.

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a Master's degree complete the Ph.D. program in 4-6 years, while students who enter the Direct Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree finish in 5-6 years.  For additional information regarding the Doctoral program, please refer to theDoctoral Degree section on the Graduate Handbook.

Master Program

Students entering the Masters of Science in Engineering (MSE) program normally hold a baccalaureate in ME or a closely related field from an accredited institution.  If a bachelor's degree is in progress, the applicant will be asked to forward a final transcript once the degree is complete.  We encourage applications from students with diverse scientific backgrounds, such as other engineering disciplines, mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology and from industry engineers who are seeking further educational training.  

On average, students finish the Master's degree program in 1-2 years. If interested in obtaining a Ph.D., an applicant is encouraged to apply directly to Doctoral Program (a Master's degree is not necessary when applying).  For additional information regarding the Master program degree options, please refer to the Master Program section on the Graduate Handbook.

Sequential Graduate Undergraduate Study (SGUS)

The Rackham SGUS program was developed to promote greater enrollment of qualified College of Engineering (CoE) students in the M.S.E. program. Undergraduate students must meet with an ME academic advisor at the end of the junior year to outline a preliminary study plan. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Handbook to learn more about our SGUS program.

Please note: Currently only Mechanical Engineering students can participate in the ME SGUS program.

Engineering Global Leadership (EGL) Honors Program

Further information can be found in the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Handbook and on the EGL website. Interested students should submit an online application to the Mechanical Engineering Master program.

Dual Degree Program

Further information can be found in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Handbook.

School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE)

Dual-degree students interested in obtaining a dual degree from the School of Natural Resource & Environment and Mechanical Engineering program, must apply to both programs.  GRE is required.

For current U-M students:

Fill out the dual degree application, dual degree election form and provide a Statement of Purpose (see the Application Requirements for more information). Do not fill out the online Rackham application.

For new SNRE students (not from U-M previously or currently):

A separate Rackham online application must be submitted to both programs along with supporting documents. See the Application Requirements section above for items that must be submitted with the online application.  

Financial Support

Doctoral Students:

• Students admitted to the PhD program will be offered a financial package for their studies.  The offer usually entails 4 years of funding for students that come into the program with a Master's degree in a relevant area of study; or 5 years of funding for students that enter the program after receiving a Bachelor's degree.
• Financial support includes a stipend, tuition, and registration fees, as well as health and dental benefits.
• Support if offered in the form of a fellowship, Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA), Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI), or Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) position.

Master Students:

• Students admitted to the Master program are expected to secure their own financial support. A student may fund the education through personal funds, loans, financial aid, fellowships, or through employment at the University.  
• The University of Michigan establishes a standard student budget each year to help students plan how they will pay for their graduate program.
• Master students are encouraged to seek employment opportunities in other academic departments and around campus.

Providing Evidence of Financial Support (non U.S. students only):

• If recommended for admission by Mechanical Engineering, the Rackham Graduate School will notify applicants to submit the Affidavit of Financial Support along with required financial documents (e.g., bank statement).
• Please do not submit any financial documents until requested by Rackham.  Financial documents and immigration documents will not be retained if they were submitted during the application period.
• Financial document deadlines are May 15 for the fall term and November 15th for the winter term. If financial documents are not received by these dates, Rackham will withdraw offers of admission.

Useful Links

• ME Application and Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• What are the funding options available to prospective students?
• Cost of Attendance for Graduate Students
• How to Submit Multiple Applications
• Rackham Fee Waiver and Grants
• Residency Classification
• Rackham Graduate School Main Page
• Minimum Requirements for Admission to Rackham Graduate School
• Rackham Graduate School Application Fee
• Applying to Rackham if you are a current or former U-M student
• Instructions for Current or Previous U-M Ann Arbor Students
• Instructions for First Time Enrollee Applicants Whose Language is Not English
• Applying to more than one graduate program?
• What do I need to know when Rackham Graduate School notifies me of my admission?
• When will I receive my immigration documents?
• What if I have been offered a Conditional Admission?
• Offered admission and receiving a scholarship, fellowship or assistantship. By what date do I need to accept or decline my admission?
• Providing Evidence of Financial Support
• Accepting Admission
• Engineering Career Resource Center Annual Report (full-time salary acceptances from graduate students)
• How can students order football tickets?
• Instructions for Computing US Grade-Point Average (GPA)

** The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.