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Admissions FAQ

Why do you only accept fall applications?

The CSEM required first year core courses are only offered in sequence, beginning in the fall semester. Students beginning in the spring semester could not begin their first year coursework until the fall.

Can I apply to the PhD program if I only have a bachelor’s degree?

Yes. We do not require a Master’s degree for application to the PhD program. If your ultimate goal is to earn the PhD in the CSEM Program, you should indicate PhD as your degree sought on your online application. If you select Master’s, your application will not be routed to the correct committee and you will not be considered for financial aid.

I accidentally selected Master’s as my degree sought in the online application. How can I change it to PhD?

Send an e-mail to the Graduate Coordinator at camgrad@ices.utexas.edu indicating that you need to change your degree sought to PhD. Please include your UT EID in all correspondence.

What is the ETS code for the University of Texas at Austin?

The ETS code (for GRE & TOEFL) is 6882.

What department code should I use when submitting my GRE and/or TOEFL test scores?

It is not necessary to use a department code when submitting your test scores to UT Austin. (If you must select a department code, pick one that is similar to your proposed major.) ALL test scores are sent to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) where they are matched to your application materials and made available to the graduate program to which you apply whether you designate a department code or not.

How long does it take for test scores to be received?

Test scores are received by the university approximately four to six weeks after a test is taken if the university is designated as a score recipient at the time of testing.

How can I receive a waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS?

Please see Graduate & International Admissions Center (GIAC) More on Test Scores for information about who may qualify for a waiver.

Do I need to mail any materials to the department or the university?

No. All application materials are to be submitted online.

Do I need to have official transcripts mailed to the university?

No. After you submit the online application and pay your application fee, you will receive an email that contains a link to the Status Check web site where you will be able to upload your transcript. The uploaded transcript(s) is considered to be unofficial but will be used to process your application for admission. Please do not mail official transcripts or paper copies of your transcripts before you are offered admission. Sending paper copies of documents you have uploaded will significantly delay the processing of your application. See the online application instructions for more information about submitting transcripts.

Will I be considered for financial aid?

All applicants to the CSEM PhD Program are considered for financial aid as part of the admissions process. We do not provide financial aid for Master’s students.

How can I submit additional materials with my application?

The CSEM Program does not require additional materials to be submitted other than what is listed in the application instructions. However, if you wish to submit additional materials (e.g. resume, publications) you may upload them as pdf documents through the Supplemental Documents Upload Page. These documents should be designated as a Miscellaneous Admissions Document.

What are the minimum GRE score requirements?

The CSEM Program evaluates each application holistically and does not accept or reject an application based on a single component of that application. Therefore, we do not have a set requirement for a minimum GRE score. The average GRE scores for students admitted to the CSEM program over the past 4 years are shown below.

  • GRE Genral Test (taken prior to 8/1/11) Verbal: 600 Quantitative: 780
  • GRE revised General Test (taken after 8/1/11) Verbal: 160 Quantitative: 165

How do I check the status of my application?

The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) provides an application status check called My Status to track the receipt of credentials sent to its office. You will need your UT EID and password to access this service. You will not be able to check the status of your admission file prior to submitting the ApplyTexas online application and receiving the acknowledgement email with your EID and temporary password.

How will I be notified of an admissions decision?

As soon as the CSEM Admissions Committee makes a decision on your application, it will be reflected in your online status check and you will receive an e-mail notification. You may also be contacted by the CSEM Graduate Coordinator.

When are admissions decisions usually made?

The CSEM Admissions Committee will strive to have all admissions decisions made by early March.

If I am granted admission with financial support, by what date am I required to respond?

The University of Texas at Austin is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools and we subscribe to the council’s Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants. This resolution states that students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15.

If I am granted admission with financial support, may I respond prior to April 15?

Yes. You are encouraged to respond to our offer as soon as possible which will assist us with our admissions process, but you are under no obligation to do so.

How many students are enrolled in the CSEM PhD Program?

There are currently 73 students enrolled in the CSEM Program.

How many applications does the CSEM Program receive annually? How many applicants are admitted and enroll?

Over the past four years, the CSEM Program has received an average of 145 applications per admissions cycle and the average size of the incoming fall class has been 13 students.