CIS Graduate Admissions FAQ

Q: May I apply to the Ph. D. program without first having completed an M. S.?

A: Yes, students who are interested in the Ph. D. program should apply directly to that program.

Q: What are the criteria for admission?

A: Please see the webpages about MS admission and PhD admission.

Q: What are the minimum GRE/TOEFL/GPA scores that will be considered?

A: Please see the webpages about MS admission and PhD admission.

Q: When will my application be reviewed for admission?

A. Applications are reviewed as they are received. Depending on the time of year, it takes approximately one month to process an application after it is complete (GRE received, TOEFL received if appropriate, transcript received, letters received, etc.).

Q: How many students are normally accepted into each program? What is the rate of acceptance?

A: For the MS program, there is no a priori limit/acceptance rate. Applicants are accepted/rejected based upon their credentials.

For the PhD program, the number of offers depends on the number of new slots opened through graduation or new grant funding.  There are always some slots each semester.

Q: Is it necessary to take the Computer Science GRE Subject Exam?

A: No, but if you do take it, please report your score to us as it may enhance your chances for admission and financial aid.

Q: What should I do if my complete transcripts are not available by the application deadline?

A: We expect this to be the case for all continuing students. You should submit the most up-to-date transcripts available along with a list of courses you are currently enrolled in. If admitted, it will be contingent upon providing a completed transcript once you arrive.

Q: How do I apply for financial aid?

You do not need to formally apply for financial aid. All accepted applicants are automatically considered for financial aid.

Q: Are M. S. students eligible for financial aid?

There are no Teaching or Research Assistantships available for entering M. S. applicants, but Minimum Duties Assistantships are available. Please see the financial assistance webpage for more information.

Q: Are international students eligible for financial aid?

A: Yes.

Q: How important is it to identify research interests in the personal statement which accompanies my application?

A: This is very important, as it will determine the faculty advisor you will be assigned to and how competitive your application is for financial aid. It is acceptable to have interests in more than one area, especially if there is documented research or project work in each area.   It is rarely appropriate, and certainly not useful, to be interested in all areas.

Q: Before or during the application process, should I contact faculty members whose research interests align with mine?

A: You may contact faculty to learn more information about their research. Once admitted we will assign you a specific faculty advisor whose research interests are closest to those you have indicated on your application.

Note: You should not ask individual faculty members for financial aid or send them a detailed resume as such e-mail is considered as spam. Financial aid is coordinated through the department, not individual faculty members.  Incoming students are not supported on research assistantships as they enter.