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Graduate Program Admissions and Funding

Thanks for your interest in the Department of Mechanical Engineering graduate programs! Admissions decisions are issued on a rolling basis with deadlines for specific degrees and situations. All three programs admit students in the fall and spring. Funding offers are made after the offer of admission. Spring entry term funding is limited.

New this year: Fall 2025 PhD applicants that submit an application by December 2 are eligible for a $25 reduction in the application fee.

Admissions

Fall 2025 Cycle

  • Dec 2, 2024: last day to submit a PhD application to receive a partial fee waiver.
  • Jan 6, 2025: priority application deadline for PhD
  • March 3, 2025: application deadline for in-person PhD and MS, thesis
  • April 15, 2025: national deadline to accept or decline funding offers
  • August 1, 2025: application deadline for professional programs and virtual campus

How to Apply

Applicants to ME graduate programs must apply through the Virginia Tech Graduate School Application.

Application requirements include:

  • $75 application fee (see details below)
  • Three letters of recommendation: All letters of recommendation must be completed through the online process as part of your application.
  • Statement of purpose: One page that articulates and demonstrates an applicant's specific qualifications and what that applicant's end goal might be once their work is completed. This document is submitted through the online application.
  • Resume or CV.
  • Supplemental material, such as previous research experience and/or a writing sample.
  • 2-minute introductory video (optional): The introduction can be as simple as answering a few of the questions provided in the optional section of the application.
  • Official transcripts and test scores should be sent directly to the Virginia Tech Graduate School, not to the department (see details below). 

Application Fee

The VT Graduate School provides application fee waivers to students who meet specific eligibility criteria. Visit https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/tuition-and-costs/Application_Fees.html for more information. Applicants to the PhD programs that submit by December 2 will receive a partial fee waiver from the department. This waiver will be automatically applied to your application.

Transcripts

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is a Graduate School requirement. However, those with a GPA below 3.0 may be accepted under special conditions. Send all transcripts directly to the Graduate School, not to the department. Include a scanned copy of your unofficial college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission. We may request additional transcripts for transfer courses before making an admissions decision.

Test Scores

  • **SPECIAL NOTE: The GRE is optional for fall 2025 applicants.**
  • GRE: Scores must be less than five years old. No minimum. Institution code 5859, no department code. Send scores directly to the Graduate School.
  • TOEFL (for international students only): Scores must be less than two years old. Institution code 5859, no department code. Send scores directly to the Graduate School. You can read more about this testing requirement here.
  • IELTS (for international students in lieu of TOEFL): Institution code 5859, no department code. Send scores directly to the Graduate School. You can read more about this testing requirement here.

Funding

Funding offers are sent separately from the official Graduate School admissions decision. VT ME is committed to providing funding to all PhD students through fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Most new PhD students receive a multi-year funding package that is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress. Assistantship contracts are also dependent on performing the duties and responsibilities outlined in the contract and assistantship position.

Graduate School Funding Information: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding.html

External Fellowships and Scholarships
Students are encouraged to apply for external funding. Listed below are sources for graduate-level funding: