MAE Graduate Programs-How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) graduate program at NC State University! Visit our MAE Graduate Programs page for an overview of the graduate programs we offer. Specific admission requirements are available on our Graduate Admission Requirements page. General MAE graduate admission questions can be directed to our graduate admissions specialist (mae_gradadmission@ncsu.edu).

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
PhD Financial Aid Priority Deadline * December 15th N/A N/A
International Master’s Applicants
Including those already in the U.S.
March 1st July 15th N/A
U.S. Citizen Master’s Applicants
And permanent residents.
June 1st November 1st N/A
Distance Education
Master’s
Applicants U.S. Citizens only
June 30th November 15th April 1st

* The Financial Aid Priority Deadline should be used by PhD program applicants for full consideration of funding opportunities offered by the MAE department (assistantships and fellowships). This deadline can be used by both international and domestic PhD program applicants.
NOTE: Funding is not offered for the master’s program, however, other funding opportunities may be available. Domestic students can seek funding information here, and International Students can review options here.


APPLICATION INFORMATION:

I.  Completing an Online Application for Admission to the Graduate School

You do not have to complete the entire application in one session. You may access your application with your PIN and password to add or alter information as many times as necessary before you submit it.

II. A paid application fee

The application fee is non-refundable. Once you complete and submit the Graduate School application, you will be prompted to pay the application fee. The current rate for the graduate admission application fee can be found here. You may pay your application fee by check, money order, or credit card.

III. Unofficial transcript(s) from all universities and institutions at which you took a course that counted toward your current degree.

We require transcripts from all universities and institutions at which you took a course that counted toward your current degree. During the application process, you may submit an unofficial or official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, but the NCSU Graduate School will request official transcripts if/when you are admitted to the program.

Unofficial transcripts should be electronically attached to your application – we do not accept mailed or emailed copies of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts should be mailed in a sealed envelope directly to the NCSU Graduate School by the college or university you attended.

IV. A competitive Grade Point Average (GPA) shown on your transcript(s)

MS degree applicants (including Distance Education) require a minimum baccalaureate GPA of 3.0.

Doctoral degree applicants require a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale

Direct-to-PhD program applicants require a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

V. A copy of your resume or CV

Your resume or CV should be electronically attached to your application – we do not accept mailed or emailed copies of these documents. Once you attach your resume or CV, you will be unable to add a newer or updated copy. We will only consider the resume or CV that is included with your application.

VI. Your written Personal Statement

The Personal Statement must be written by you. There are no strict guidelines for this, and there is no minimum or maximum word count requirement. It is up to you what you write. We suggest that it cover your engineering interests, academic and research experience, graduate school plans, and post-graduation plans.

VII. Applicable Test Scores

GRE test scores – are required of all on-campus applicants (applicants to the Distance Education program are excluded). We prefer GRE scores equal to or greater than Verbal=146, Quantitative=156, and Analytical Writing=3.5. However, we do consider the entire application package so a strict requirement on test scores cannot be made. The ETS code for our university, NC State, is 5496 (no department code required).

* UPDATE: The GRE test score requirement will be waived for all 2024 applicants.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test scores – are required of all international applicants. NOTE: These minimums scores are a strict Graduate School requirement and applicants who do not meet this minimum should not apply.

TOEFL – the Graduate School requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based test, with at least a score of 18 on each part.

A TOEFL waiver may be granted if an applicant received a post-secondary degree from an accredited US institution/university, and was on campus for a period of 12 months or more.

IELTS – the Graduate School requires a minimum score of 6.5 on each section.

Duolingo – the Graduate School requires a minimum score of 110 or higher.

VIII. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Preferably, current or former professors in your major-field courses should write your letters of recommendation, as they would have the best idea of your research potential. If, however, such persons are no longer available to ask, anyone that can best assess your potential for graduate study can be asked to write the letter.

Ready to join the Wolfpack? Apply Now

Still have Questions? Contact our Graduate Services Assistant (mae_gradadmission@ncsu.edu).