University of pittsburgh mechanical engineering graduate personal statement

Applicants should consider the GRE an optional submission. If an applicant has already taken the GRE and believes their score demonstrates outstanding academic ability, beneficial to portraying you as a wholistic student and applicant, you may submit-- but it is optional. The GRE scores will not be considered as part of our admissions criteria for these application cycles. For students applying to terms after those listed above, please check back in the future for updates, as the Swanson School is still evaluating whether waiving the GRE will be permanent.

A recent graduate of an ABET-accredited engineering program will be granted admission on the basis of his/her undergraduate academic record. Typically an applicant should have earned a B average (cumulative quality point average of 3.0/4.0) or better. Applicants should check each program's specific requirements.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements will be considered on an individual basis with strong emphasis given to academic promise, career orientation, work experience, and preparation in engineering and related disciplines. In some cases, applicants may be admitted provisionally until certain deficiencies in either coursework or academic achievement are satisfied. Contact Us *For any questions related to Swanson's admissions process, please do not hesitate to contact our graduate team.**

To apply to Graduate School at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering:

1. APPLY:
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2. LETTERS OF REFERENCE: Applicants must have their reference letters submitted electronically as part of the online admissions application process. Each department and program has a specific number of letters of reference, which can be found below. ****All departments require a MINIMUM of 2 letters of reference, but many programs have their own requirements. If your program is not listed here, the program requires 2 letters of reference. ****

3. TRANSCRIPTS: Applicants are required to upload academic records from each academic institution (undergraduate and/or graduate) attended. Official, original academic credentials that are issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. These will be considered unofficial copies. Unofficial transcripts are accepted upon submission of your application, but if you are accepted into Swanson, you must provide your official transcript.

4. GRE SCORES: Applicants should consider the GRE an optional submission. For students who wish to submit their scores, official GRE test scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Using the institution code of 2927 for the University of Pittsburgh is sufficient. Please refer to the following web site for further information on the GRE and registration forms: http://www.ets.org/gre.

You can upload copies of your score reports (if available) when submitting your online application. This uploaded version is not considered “official” and will be used for preliminary review until your official scores are received from ETS or IELTS.

Once you receive certified test results, you can log into your Duolingo account, click on the “Send Results” button next to your test results, and select “University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering” to receive your results. We will not receive your scores until this step is taken.

*The minimum score requirements listed above for the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo are the minimums for the University of Pittsburgh, your selected department may have higher requirements. Please visit your department's page for more information.

6. TUITION AND FEES:

Learn more about tuition and fees associated with a graduate education at the Swanson School of Engineering: https://www.tuition.pitt.edu/

7. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Find out how scholarships, fellowships, traineeships, and grants can help pay for education excellence:

**To be fully considered for funding from our departments, please visit the website above for specific deadline information. Questions related to funding and deadlines, see last column on that page for contact information.

8. FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINES:

9. OTHER APPLICATION NOTES:

Please do NOT send hard copies of materials that have been submitted electronically. Original documents are NOT required until you are admitted and decide to attend the University of Pittsburgh.


To apply to one of the following programs, please select the appropriate link and you will be redirected to the applicable application site:

MBA/Master of Science in Engineering Joint Degree Program:

MD/PHD Program:

Students must first be accepted into the MD/PhD Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Prospective students must apply individually to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and complete the MSTP online application. The criteria for acceptance to the MSTP include an outstanding academic record and letters of recommendation, positive personal interviews, and significant prior research experience. Admission to the MSTP is competitive, as is admission to graduate school, with students applying to the PhD programs of their choice after the first year of medical school.

Interested applicants may contact Aaron Batista, PhD.

DPT/PHD Bioengineering Program:

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – PhD in Bioengineering program combines the entry-level DPT leading to licensure as a physical therapist, with a PhD in Bioengineering that will prepare the student to become an independent researcher. The program will integrate clinical and research experiences, with students receiving mentorship from faculty in the departments of Physical Therapy and Bioengineering. Students should have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or engineering-related discipline, with a strong interest in physical therapy.