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 is awarded based on the application for admission. There is no supplemental application for funding. Spring entry term funding is limited.

Fall 2026 PhD applicants that submit an application by December 1 are eligible for a $25 reduction in the application fee.

Admissions timelines

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 references: All references must be submitted by the individual reference through the online process as part of your application. Letters of recommendation uploaded by the applicant will not be accepted.
• 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 (PhD only): 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). 

Degree and program options

There are three degree options available to applicants: 

1. VT degree: this is the default degree option for all applicants.
2. VT undergraduate/graduate accelerated degree: only available to current VT students applying to the accelerated degree.
3. VT-TIET accelerated degree: only available to students from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology applying to the accelerated degree.

Application fee

The VT Graduate School provides application fee waivers to students who meet specific eligibility criteria. Visit the graduate school website more information.

Applicants to the PhD programs that submit their application by December 1 will receive a partial fee waiver from the department. This waiver will be automatically applied to the application when it is created, and it will be removed on December 2 if the application has not been submitted. This reduced fee is not transferable to other programs outside of the ME Department.

Transcripts

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is a Graduate School requirement. However, those with a GPA below 3.0 may be accepted to a master’s program under special conditions. Upload a copy of your unofficial undergraduate transcripts from each school attended with your online application. Arrange for an official copy of the awarded degree transcript to be sent to the Graduate School after you receive an offer of admission.

Test scores

• The GRE is optional for all 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.