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Application Requirements

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program Requirements

Undergraduate Degree: Applicants should have completed their undergraduate work in an accredited program and earned a B.S.E. or equivalent degree in a field relevant to Mechanical Engineering (e.g. math or fundamental science).

Grades & Scores: UM ME does not require the GRE for the Ph.D. application. UM ME will not require the GRE for the Fall 2025 Master’s application. GRE scores will not be used during the application review process.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL/IELTS) is required of all non-native speakers. The University of Michigan requires a minimum TOEFL score for admission: 84 for the Internet Based TOEFL. (For other English test minimum scores, please refer to the Rackham web site.) Test scores are sent to the University of Michigan by providing the institution code of 1839 to ETS. Scores must be received on or before the application deadline in order to avoid any delay in the application being reviewed. If you sent multiple test scores to us, please know that ME will receive all of them. We will use the best scores when evaluating your application.

There are no specific minimums required for GPA.

Please see this page regarding guidance on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to develop application materials.

If you have any questions about Mechanical Engineering Graduate Admissions, please contact us at
[email protected].

Application Document Checklist

  • Statement of Purpose: Your SOP should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background as well as your career goals. In addition, the SOP should communicate how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. The length of the SOP should be 1-3 pages.
  • Personal Statement: It should be a discussion of the journey that led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. Personal Statements may be up to 2 single-spaced pages in length, and the 500-word limit doesn’t apply.
  • Curriculum Vitae: 1-4 pages. Writing sample, Article or Journal paper: No more than 2. Encouraged but not required.
  • Transcripts:
    • Step 1: Upload a Scanned Copy of the Official Transcript to ApplyWeb
      • All applicants must upload a scanned copy, front and back, of their official transcript/academic record issued by the Registrar or Records Office, to ApplyWeb for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned or in progress. The scanned copy of the official transcript is used for initial review by the graduate program faculty.
      • If you are attending or have graduated from a Non-U.S. institution, review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements by country.
    • Step 2: After an Offer of Admission, Submit the Official Transcript
      • An official transcript must be submitted to Rackham only after an offer of admission is made.
      • See Rackham’s detailed instructions on how to submit transcripts/academic records to the Rackham Graduate School.
  • GRE Scores:
    • UM ME does not require the GRE for the Ph.D. application. GRE scores will not be used during the application review process.
    • UM ME will not require the GRE for the Fall 2025 Master’s application. GRE scores will not be used during the application review process.
  • English Language Test Scores: The TOEFL or IELTS is required for applicants whose native language is not English, unless they meet one of the exemption criteria.  TOEFL scores lower than 100 are generally not competitive for admission to the Department.
  • Letters of Recommendation:
    • Doctoral: 3 letters are required (2 must come from an academic professor).
    • Master: 2 letters are required (1 must come from an academic professor).
    • SUGS and JI-SUGS: 3 letters are required (2 must come from an academic professor).
    • Non-Candidate for Degree (NCFD): 2 letters are required
    • NOTE: An academic professor can be an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor. A Lecturer would not count as a professor, but could provide a third letter.
  • Scientific/Technical Writing Journal Publications (optional): We only accept publications from reputable international journals or conferences that have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication.  Please limit submission to two. They are not required nor are they a dominant factor in the decision-making process for admission.

Non-Candidate for Degree (NCFD)

Applicants who are interested in taking a Mechanical Engineering course but are not interested in pursuing a degree are able to apply as a Non-Candidate for Degree (NCFD) Student. The purpose of NCFD is to provide students an opportunity to continue their education and take an ME course for professional development. Before applying, program approval is required.

NCFD students in the Mechanical Engineering Department are eligible to enroll for only two terms. Written permission from the instructor of each course is required to register, and it is the responsibility of the student to obtain this documentation. NCFD students cannot register for courses until the first day of classes and are not eligible for financial assistance from the ME department.

Courses elected by NCFD students cannot be counted towards a ME graduate program unless the student receives regular admission and the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Chair determines that the courses are acceptable. Regular admission is not guaranteed. To be considered for regular admission, application materials must be submitted in a separate application.

Required Application Materials for NCFD:

  • Send an email to [email protected] requesting to apply as a non-degree seeking student. After permission has been granted, complete the online application.
  • The Statement of Purpose which must include the names and course numbers of the classes requested and purpose for requesting non degree enrollment.
  • Personal Statement
  • An official transcript with bachelors or masters degree posted
  • Resume or CV
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation

Visit Rackham’s website for more information regarding NCFD Admissions.