Admission FAQs

 

What is the minimum accepted GPA?

The successful applicant normally will meet one of the following: a) a GPA of at least 3.0 on all undergraduate course work at an accredited institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree; or b) a GPA of at least 3.0 on all graduate course work at an accredited institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree. However, a 3.4 plus GPA is generally considered as competitive.

Is the GRE required? If so, what is the minimum score required?

The GRE is required. The department does not have a minimum GRE score requirement;  however, scores of 160-plus for quantitative reasoning and 150-plus for verbal reasoning are considered competitive.

When is the application deadline?

Applications for the fall and spring are considered separately but are considered on a rolling basis. An application must contain all required documentation to be considered. Refer to the table in the How to Apply section.

How long does it take for applications to be processed?

In general, it takes approximately 45 days to process domestic applications and approximately 90 days to process international applications once all application materials are received. 

What financial aid is available?

Funding through graduate teaching assistantships and graduate research assistantships are available for the most outstanding applicants. A list of fellowships can be found here.

What documentation must be included in my application?

Your application must include the following:

• Official transcriptions from all colleges or universities attended
• Standardized test scores, e.g. GRE and TOEFL
• Three letters of recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae or resume
• Personal statement

I am a non-native English speaker, what are the minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL or IELTS?

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit: 1) TOEFL scores of at least 550 on the written test (213 on the computer-based test); 2) 79 on the Internet Based Test with at least 16 in each section; or 3) IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5.

Do I need to submit transcripts?

Official transcripts are required by the graduate school as part of your application. Official transcripts must be submitted directly to the graduate admissions by your institution. Typically, transcripts submitted via e-mail are NOT considered to be official transcripts.

What should I include in my Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose?

The personal statement is important for letting the graduate admissions committee know who you are and what is your primary motivation for wanting to attend our graduate program. As part of this statement, you should address any perceived shortcomings in your application, e.g. low GPA, and why you believe it does not represent the student that you will be.

Can I transfer graduate credits from my current university?

A student must earn at least 24 semester hours, or half of the total hours required for a master’s degree, whichever is greater, at Auburn University. A program that requires 30 hours of credit will be limited to 6 semester hours of transfer credit. The total number of credit hours that may be transferred from another accredited institution towards a doctoral degree varies by program but must be less than 50% of the credit hours listed on the Plan of Study.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering to be considered for the program?

No, however a sufficient background in math, physics, and engineering is required. Applications from a non-traditional backgrounds will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Any deficiencies in background knowledge may be addressed by additional course work.

Do I need a graduate adviser before applying?

It is not necessary to establish a graduate adviser prior to applying. However, it is strongly encouraged to discuss your research interests with potential advisers in your research area prior to applying.

How do I apply for a scholarship/sponsorship or graduate assistantship?

Complete applications received prior to deadlines listed in the table on How to Apply section will automatically be considered for graduate teaching assistantships. Graduate research assistantships are offered directly by graduate advisers. Additionally, fellowship opportunities are available for highly-qualified graduate student applicants. Please refer to Financial Aid section for more details.

Is there a graduate program available for distance students?

A master of science, non-thesis option is available for distance students. However, there is not a distance option available for Ph.D. students due to the research-intensive nature of the program.

How much is the tuition per credit hour?

Information regarding the cost of attending Auburn University can be found here http://www.auburn.edu/admissions/tuition/costofattendance.html.

Where can I find additional information about attending Auburn University?

Additional information regarding admission to Auburn University and graduate studies at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering can be found at the following links. Please note that departmental admissions policies might be more stringent than university policies. http://bulletin.auburn.edu/thegraduateschool/admissions/#admisionrequirements 
http://eng.auburn.edu/future-students/graduate

Can I pursue a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) online?

Unfortunately, our PhD program is not designed to be completed online. It is possible to take several of the required courses online, but we cannot support the research component of the degree via our distance program.