Graduate Admissions
WELCOME to applying to the School of Computing - University of Utah. Our admissions standards are high and competition for the limited number of positions is rigorous. Admission is based on an evaluation of both an applicant's academic profile and research potential. Click here to learn more about our research!
Applications for Fall 2013 are due December 15th, 2012. It's advisable to apply early so all supporting documents reach us before the deadline.
NOTE: Domestic students - the application deadline for the Game Engineering Track is March 31st.
NOTE: International students - the application deadline for the Game Engineering Track is January 31st.
Make sure your name, first and last names, as it's written on your drivers license or passport, are on all supporting documents. Also, include your last name in all correspondence.
Eligibility: You may apply if you have received a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. Four years of study is required for most international university degrees.
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
| Transcripts | Please upload your student copy of your transcripts for the admissions evaluation. (please enter GPA as it is stated on your transcript) Arrange to have official transcripts and degree certificates sent directly to the Admissions Office Graduate Admissions Division: The University of Utah 201 S. 1460 E. Room 250 S SSB Salt Lake City, UT 84112 NOTE: If your transcripts are too large to upload, please use adobe and make your pdf shrink to fit. |
| GRE | Graduate Record Examination - Required by all students. Arrange for ETS to send your most recent scores to the University of Utah, school code 4853, department code 0402. |
| TOEFL IELTS (International Student Only) |
Test of English as a Foreign Language -Arrange for ETS to send your most recent scores to the University of Utah, school code 4853. Department code is not necessary. The TOEFL score is preferred but we also accept the IELTS test scores. You will enter your scores into the application and then it's verified by international admissions. |
| Statement of Purpose | 2-3 single spaced pages. |
| Three Letters of Recommendation | Please enter the names and e-mail address on the application for each person writing a recommendation letter for you. We encourage you to "waive the right" to see your letters because most evaluators consider confidence letters more valuable. |
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Most recent CV. |
Online Application
- You will create an account with a password and you will receive a PIN number. Please make sure you keep a copy of your account information as you will use this to check your application status.
- It's essential that you verify the information in your application before you select "SUBMIT," because after you submit your application you will no longer be able to make changes to it.
- Create pdf-files of your supporting documents before getting started. For example, one pdf file for each university's transcript; one for the Statement of Purpose, and so on, so that they can easily be uploaded when you get to the specific section in the application.
Explanations of features of the On-line Application:
Program Information Page
- 1. Program Interest - Here you will select Computer Science MS or PHD, or Computing MS or PHD
- 2. Emphasis Area (research areas for students selecting the Computer Science MS or Computer Science PHD) - Here you will select your three top choices for research areas.
The Emphasis Areas for the Computer Science Degrees are:
- - Algorithms and Computational Geometry
- - Databases and Information Management
- - Educational Software
- - Formal Methods including verification tools, Logic, Theorem Proving and Industrial Applications
- - Graphics
- - Hardware systems including Architecture and VLSI
- - Image Processing
- - Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing
- - Networking, Embedded Systems, and Operating Systems
- - Programming Languages and Compilers
- - Robotics
- - Scientific Computing, Parallel Computing, Computational Science Applications and Software Architecture
- - Visualization
The Emphasis Areas for the Computing Degrees are:
Program Concentration Page
- 1. Again, please select Computer Science MS or PHD, or Computing MS or PHD in the pull down box. In the same page, all MS students must select a Thesis/Non-Thesis option in the "area of interest" pulldown box.
- 2. Faculty Members - Please select up to three faculty members who you would like to study with. Make sure you peruse their portfolios beforehand so you can choose a professor in your emphasis area.
Important Additional Information
I-20 Information - for international students
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Contact Ann Carlstrom, graduate advisor at annc@cs.utah.edu
Application Submission
The Application needs to be accessed and submitted from this site for all Graduate Degrees in the School of Computing. Should you obtain the application link from any other source it's likely your application will not reach us.
If you have applied to the School of Computing before, you need to submit a new application. The online application has been reformatted so it's important that you only use the online application that you access from our website after October 5, 2012.
Admissions for Fall 2013 has closed.
CHECK APPLICATION STATUS
| 1.Log into the online application system with your PIN to see what materials we have received. |
| 2. Check if the admissions office has received your transcripts and TOEFL scores by logging into the International Admissions Office Tracking System. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
WHAT KIND OF ACADEMIC BACKGROUND IS REQUIRED?
Neither of the graduate programs (MS or PHD) is an entry-level degree. Although it is not necessary that you have a B.S. in Computer Science, both Computer Science and Computing degree programs assume a strong background in the core areas of computer science.
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY LOOKING FOR IN AN APPLICANT?
We are looking for applicants with strong academic backgrounds who have demonstrated a potential to perform creative and innovative research in the research areas represented by the School of Computing.
IS THERE A GPA CUTOFF?
Yes, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Most students accepted into the graduate program have GPAs well above that level.
IS THE GRE REQUIRED?
Yes, applicants are required to take the GRE General exam. You will need to submit official GRE scores through ETS to have them considered. (codes: inst. 4853, dept. 0402).
IS THERE A GRE CUTOFF?
No, we do not have a specific cutoff. We evaluate many aspects of the application, and the GRE score is just one of those.
MY GRE SCORES HAVE EXPIRED. DO I HAVE TO RETAKE THE TEST?
The GRE scores are valid for 5 years. Your GRE scores should be valid as of December 2012.
IS THERE A TOEFL CUTOFF? (FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY)
The University of Utah Graduate School minimum scores for the TOEFL are 173 computer-based, 61 internet-based and 500 on the paper-based exam. However, our department has a strong preference for students whose score is above 260 computer-based, 105 internet-based or 620 in the paper-based testing scheme. Please send scores through ETS. (use codes: inst. 4853) In addition, any non-native English speaker who receives support as a teaching assistant must attend and pass the appropriate International Teaching Assistant clearance process with possible university programs in spoken English.
MY TOEFL SCORES HAVE EXPIRED. DO I HAVE TO RETAKE THE TEST? (FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY)
The TOEFL test is valid for 2 years, and this test is required by the University of Utah. As such, the test needs to be valid at the time of admission by the university. Most often admission is granted between February and May.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED ONLINE?
Yes, please have your recommenders fill out your recommendation online in the Apply Yourself system.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FEE? CAN IT BE WAIVED?
The University application fee is $55 for domestic applicants and $65 for foreign applications. Neither can be waived under any circumstances (McNair and VEF scholars exempt). There is a $30 late handling fee for materials submitted after Admissions deadlines.
DO I NEED TO SUBMIT FINANCIAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION AT THE TIME OF APPLYING?
You can, but you may submit those separately as soon as you know you are accepted. Do remember that financial support documents should be no older than 6 months at the time of the I-20 issuance. Please see HOW TO AVOID DELAYS IN YOUR I-20 ISSUANCE above. If you wish to submit those with the application, you'll upload the information in the online application system. If you submit upon acceptance notice, then please e-mail the documents to the International Admissions Office, iao@sa.utah.edu
HOW CAN I BE CONSIDERED FOR FINANCIAL AID?
Complete the Financial Aid information under Additional Information in the online application system. The evaluators will consider you for financial aid based on your potential to do research.
CAN I RECEIVE A CONDITIONAL ADMISSION?
No.
CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL OR COPIES OF THE ADMISSIONS FORMS ELECTRONICALLY?
Yes, you can get detailed information about individual researchers' interests on our faculty website; ongoing research projects and recent technical papers, via the School's research website. No admissions forms will be mailed; you must submit electronically via the School of Computing graduate admissions website.
DO I HAVE TO CONTACT A FACULTY MEMBER TO SUPPORT MY ADMISSION?
No, students are accepted to the School, rather than to a specific research group. Of course, you should feel free to contact a research group if you have questions about their research. Once you begin your studies here, you will be encouraged to join a particular group whose research interests match yours. Sending multiple emails to faculty asking for support or looking to join a group before you are admitted will not necessarily advance the process.
I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE UNIVERSITY. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
Please accept the offer in Apply Yourself under "enrollment." International students, if not funded, should make sure they e-mail passport bio page and financial support documents to the International Admissions Office at iao@sa.utah.edu immediately.
CAN I APPLY TO MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS AT THE SAME TIME?
Yes, however, it requires a separate application for each department. Please see each department's website for requirements. You only need to arrange for one set of transcripts to the university, and the same with the TOEFL, if applicable. You do need to order GRE scores for each department that requires it, and the School of Computing requires it.
I HAVE AN APPLICATION LINK THAT I WAS GIVEN BY THE GRADUATE ADVISOR LAST YEAR, CAN I USE IT?
No. You should only access the School of Computing Graduate Application link via our website (after October 5, 2012). The online application has been reformatted so if you use any other one, it's likely that we won't receive your application.
Review Process
Our evaluation committees will review each application and the acceptance offer will go out in an e-mail from our department.
What you need to do when you are admitted
Please log into the online application system with your PIN and respond in "Enrollment." We will also ask that you reply to our e-mail containing the particulars of our offer.
I'LL RECEIVE MY BACHELOR DEGREE NEXT SPRING. HOW CAN I APPLY NOW?
Please speak of this in your Statement of Purpose. Your acceptance will be based on your fulfilling this requirement, and transcripts and degree certificate supporting this completion need to be sent to the Admissions Office as soon as it's available.
