Who Should Apply? 

Our graduates are expected to become outstanding engineers and professionals. We want individuals who will be able to contribute to, and benefit from, the programs offered by the School. Demonstrated engineering skills, research ability, and the potential for future growth are important factors in the evaluation of applicants. We value prior experience in engineering and research because it leads to an understanding of complex technical matters, provides chances to assume responsibility, and gives opportunities to take initiative in solving technical problems. 

Evaluation of intellectual ability is based on the candidate’s academic record, graduate work, if any, test scores, letters of recommendation, as well as other evidence that you present. Because of the participatory nature of our graduate programs, you must have well-developed written and oral skills in English. Another important criterion is personal integrity, responsible decision-making, motivation, ethical standards, and interpersonal skills. These characteristics are assessed primarily through your biographical essay and the three required letters of recommendation. Admission to our graduate program is very competitive. Each year there are more outstanding applicants than there are places. 

Students with a BS or/and MS degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Physics, or in a related field of science and engineering can be admitted in the graduate program. You may be required to take additional courses upon admission depending on your background. 

Our primary recruitment focus is on students who will be staying through their doctoral studies. Our faculty are heavily engaged in research topics and techniques that require a long-term commitment from their students. Therefore, our recruitment emphasis is on recruiting students who will be staying for doctoral studies rather than Master's only. Funding is typically not available for students pursuing an MS. Exceptions are only possible where faculty have a specific requirement for a MS student on a research project and have funding available. MS applicants who do not require funding may apply for either thesis or non-thesis track. If seeking an MS with thesis, students must identify a faculty member willing to advise the thesis and support the research costs. Students meeting the other requirements for admission based on review of their application materials will be notified and asked to contact potential advisors. The MSE graduate office must receive written notice from the faculty member that they agree to advise the thesis before an admission offer can be made. International students typically have to be able to show that they have around $57,000 USD available for their first year of studies in order to get an I-20 for studies at GT. Tuition amounts can be found at: http://www.bursar.gatech.edu/content/tuition-fees These amounts do not include living expenses.

We do not accept transfer students for the graduate program in Materials Science and Engineering. 

How to Apply 

You must apply to the School of Materials Science and Engineering directly online through http://www.grad.gatech.edu/apply-now. 

Before applying, please see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Graduate Studies website located at: https://grad.gatech.edu/faq/knowledgebase.php?category=2  Many of your questions will be answered here. 

Application requirements 

GPA Requirements 

An undergraduate degree GPA of at least 3.2 is required to pursue a Ph.D., and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to pursue an M.S.  Over the past ten years, the average GPA of students accepted into the graduate program was a 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. 

What are the English proficiency requirements?

Starting with Fall 2027 admission, citizenship alone will no longer be sufficient to satisfy Georgia Tech’s English language proficiency requirement. Applicants may satisfy the requirement through approved academic student, English-medium instruction, or official test scores.

Satisfying the English Proficiency Requirement

U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents can submit one of the following U.S. government-issued documents to satisfy English Proficiency Requirement:

• Birth Certificate
• Certificate of Birth Abroad
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Consular report of birth abroad
• Passport
• Permanent Resident card 

All other applicants can provide:

• Proof of citizenship from an approved country, or
• Valid Test score as outlined below in the Test Score Requirements section, or
• Successful completion of GTLI Upper Advanced 700 Level Intensive English Program, or
• Evidence of degree earned from a regionally accredited (or international equivalent) institution where English was the sole language of instruction. Proof of degree has to be provided at least 30 days before the start of the term to which you applied. For details on acceptable documentation and how Georgia Tech verifies English-only instruction, read this FAQ.

Test Score Requirements

Georgia Tech's accepted tests and minimum score requirement for graduate admission are listed at https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency

We recommend that you achieve acceptable scores prior to submitting your application. If you have further questions regarding English proficiency, please contact Graduate Education at: grad.ask@grad.gatech.edu

Please note that your test score is valid only if it meets the Institute’s minimum requirements and is not expired when your program begins.

Please note that the department has higher minimum requirements than the Institute for the TOEFL.

Application Fee 

A non-refundable application fee must be remitted with your application. It cannot be deferred until an admissions decision is made. Georgia Tech's graduate application fee is $95 per application for domestic applicants, and $105 for international applicants.  For more details on submitting the application fee, see https://grad.gatech.edu/faq/knowledgebase.php?category=2   

Do you have more questions about our graduate program? Then take a look at our Graduate Programs FAQ page.