Chemical & Environmental Engineering

Application Process FAQ

How do I apply?

All graduate programs at UCR use the on-line application program called Grad SIS.  Through Grad SIS you will be able to apply and submit your supplemental documentation.

What is the deadline for admission?

For Fall 2010 admission, the deadline is January 5, 2010 for the application and all required documents.

What supplemental documentation is submitted through Grad SIS?

• Statement of Purpose
• International Student Confidential Financial Statement (if applicable)
• Disclaimer Statement and Fee Payment Form
• Application Fee
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• GRE Score(s)
• TOEFL Score(s)

What supplemental documentation will need to be mailed in?

• 2 official sealed transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) institutions.  Transcripts should also be translated into English if you have attended a foreign institution.
• Letters of Recommendation can also be mailed in if the referee prefers.  If the referee chooses to mail in their recommendation,their signature over the seal of the letter is required. 

What are the minimum scores accepted?

• GPA: 3.0
• GRE: 1100
• TOEFL (paper based): 550
• TOEFL (computer based): 213
• TOEFL (internet based): 80

Where can I send my test scores?

• Institution Code: 4839
• GRE Department Code: 1001
• TOEFL Department Code: 64

What can delay the processing of my application?

• Not turning in all required documents by the January 5th deadline.
• Letters of Recommendation that are mailed in.  Additionally, any recommender e-mail address that is not a university e-mail address will greatly delay your application as the recommender must be contacted to verify a letter was written.  Please make sure a university e-mail address is given if you are listing a faculty member as a recommender.
• Not having 2 official sealed transcripts from each institution you attended.  Foreign transcripts not translated into English can also cause a delay.
• Selecting more than two areas of research interest on the online application.

I checked GradSIS and my materials received status has not been updated.

Please allow a couple of weeks for your materials received status to be updated for documents that are mailed in.  Also the University closes for two weeks at the end of December which can delay status updates once staff return in January. 

What if I do not meet the minimum requirements for test scores or GPA? Should I apply anyway?

The Admissions Committee will be reviewing an applicant's overall file and taking many different factors into consideration. However, keep in mind that admission with fellowship is a very competitive process. So if your file is obviously weak, you may want to save yourself the trouble and expense of the application process. Think about possible ways to strengthen your case and apply next year.

Do I have to take the TOEFL?

International students, permanent residents, and even U.S. citizens whose native language is not English and who do not have a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction are required to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

How do I obtain an application fee waiver?

If you are a domestic or permanent resident applicant your application fee will be automatically waived. There is currently no fee waiver available for international applicants.

What forms of payment are accepted for the application fee?

The online application system, GradSIS allows you to pay by credit card.  If you cannot pay by credit card, please contact Graduate Division for alternate forms of payment: (951) 827-3313.

Is an M.S. degree a prerequisite for the program?

No, the graduate program accepts applicants with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree.

I have selected two areas of research interest on the online application.  What if I am interested in additional areas?

Once you are admitted to the program, you can change your research interest area.  Selecting two areas initially helps the Admissions Committee keep track of applicants.  During a new student's first quarter, they are required to attend research seminars for each area of interest before deciding on a final research interest area.

How many applications does the program typically receive in a year?

The graduate program receives approximately 150 applications annually.

How many students are accepted into the program each year?

20 students were accepted for Fall 07, 28 for Fall 2008, and 22 for Fall 2009.

How are students funded in the graduate program?

Most of our students, both domestic and international receive fellowships, TA and Graduate Student Researcher appointments. International students who are pursuing an M.S. degree are not funded.

What type of fellowships can I expect?

Qualified applicants get extremely competitive fellowship packages. These cover all fees and tuition and include an annual salary of $15,000 to $19,000 in addition to the paid health insurance. The only out of pocket expense (except of course for the cost of living) is a miscellaneous campus fee of $198 per quarter.

I am self-supported how much money will I need?

Please contact the Graduate Division for the numbers.

I have been accepted into the program but would like to defer my start to Winter, Spring or defer one year.  Can this be done?

The short answer to this question is no. We cannot defer admission to Winter or Spring as you will be off-sequence with the core courses to be taken. Also, you will be off schedule with research advisor selection.  However, there are some exceptions, e.g., if you are self-supported, or if you have already selected your research advisor (and this has been agreed upon) and if you are taking the corresponding courses at your institution.

I have missed the deadline for Fall acceptance, do you take applications for Winter or Spring admission?

Please see the answer to the question above. In order to be considered for fellowships, potential applicants must meet the Fall acceptance deadline of January 5, 2009. Self-supported students may be accepted for Winter or Spring quarter admission, although this is relatively unusual. Refer to Graduate Division regarding deadlines for admission.

Do you have any advice to increase my chances of being accepted?

Be specific in your personal statement, what are you interested in, emphasize any synergisms between your experience and our current research. Also, make sure your application is complete, i.e. pay your application fee, make sure your recommendation letter writers send in letters on time, and that original transcripts are sent. Make sure that your GRE and TOEFL (if applicable) scores are recent. Finally, make sure you list a valid email address on the application, and keep the address current. Notify us of any changes.

What is the normative Time to Degree?

For an M.S. the normative Time to Degree is 6 quarters. For Ph.D. it is three years for students with an M.S. in Chemical and Environmental Engineering and five years for those without an M.S. in Chemical and Environmental Engineering.

How is my thesis advisor assigned, what research project will I work on?

Some students come to our department with a good idea of with whom they would like to work. In this case, it is recommended to correspond with the faculty prior to making a final decision in order to ensure that the faculty knows about your intent. It may be difficult for the faculty to make a firm commitment. In any case, in the December following admission, ALL incoming graduate students are asked to list the names of 3 faculty they would like to work with. The graduate advisor will check with the faculty and try to accommodate everyone's choice. This has worked very well in the past and most got their first choice. It is recommended that you look at the faculty's web pages for more information on the research being conducted in our department. Regarding possible research projects, each faculty may have one or several projects they will offer to incoming graduate students.

How is the visa application process?

Check the International Service Center for visa and traveling information.

I am in the US, can I come and visit the campus?

Yes, please contact the department to organize a site visit. Usually, for US and resident applicants, a group visit is organized in early February. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to see the labs, meet with the faculty and current graduate students.

Does UCR guarantee housing for graduate students?

Unfortunately we do not guarantee housing at this time. However, housing is offered both on and off campus. Please visit the Housing Services website for more information.

I am taking/have taken some of your core courses at my institution, can the credits be transferred?

Transfer of credit is done on a case-to-case basis. For transfer of credit, the equivalence in content needs to be established. In general, we only transfer credits taken at US institutions. Because all graduate students receiving financial support are required to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, the transferred units are expected to meet this criterion.