Graduate Admission Information

Criteria for Admission

Decisions for admission into the graduate program are determined based on a holistic process including an applicant's prior academic performance, notable experiences (research, industry, community service), strength of the school granting the degree, recommendation letters, statement of purpose, and faculty lab needs. While no single factor or score can characterize an applicant's probability for success, the following benchmarks may prove helpful. 

For domestic applicants:

  • For thesis applicants, note our faculty could be located in either Indianapolis or West Lafayette. The location should be listed on their faculty profile page in the address section and may need to be considered when choosing a location to apply to.  
  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution;
  • Competitive grade point average (GPA) of 3.25/4.00 in undergraduate study, with target GPA of approximately 3.60/4.00;
  • GRE not required and will not be utilized in admissions and funding decisions.
  • Choose only one of our graduate programs when applying: BME Professional Master's Program; BME Thesis Master's; BME PhD; or Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences PhD.

For international applicants:

  • For thesis applicants, note our faculty could be located in either Indianapolis or West Lafayette. The location should be listed on their faculty profile page in the address section and may need to be considered when choosing a location to apply to.  
  • Competitive grade point average (GPA) of 3.25/4.00 or equivalent in undergraduate study with target GPA of 3.60/4.00 or equivalent;
  • Minimum English proficiency requirements as set by the Purdue University Graduate School. See English Proficiency Requirements for a complete list of accepted tests, minimum scores, test score expiration and allowable waivers. Please note that BME does not have the authority to wavie this requirement.
  • GRE not required and will not be utilized in admissions and funding decisions.
  • Choose only one of our graduate programs when applying: BME Professional Master's Program; BME Thesis Master's; BME PhD; or Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences PhD.

Important Dates

The Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering offers admission for both fall and spring semesters with spring admissions being limited based on current research opportunities and research assistantship availability. Spring applicants must have research interests that align with a faculty member or members who currently have research opportunities available in his or her lab.

Application Deadlines: Complete applications and all required supporting documentation must be received on or before the deadlines listed below:

  Fall Spring Summer
PhD and Thesis Master's Programs  

 

December 1 Final Deadline

 

      October 1              

         No entry                  
Professional Master's Program

Priority: December 1

Rolling Admissions through June 1

      October 1

February 15

A complete application means the online application has been submitted, the application fee has been paid, and all required documents as outlined below have been uploaded to the online application by the applicable deadline. It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure all application materials have been received by the applicable deadline, including following up with those designated to write letters of recommendation and submitting the application and all required materials to the correct program of interest. Log in to the same Purdue University Graduate School application website through which you originally applied to check receipt of your letters of recommendation and status of your application.

Application Requirements

The Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at the Purdue University West Lafayette campus administers the following degree programs: BME Doctor of Philosophy; BME Thesis Master's; BME Professional Master's; Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Doctor of Philosophy. Although the online application system will allow applicants to choose a primary and secondary program of interest, please list only ONE of these BME-administered degree options.

All required application materials should be submitted online as directed within the application. You may check for outstanding documents and the status of your application by logging into the Purdue Graduate School application website to review your Checklist.

These instructions supersede any others on application sheets, forms, or brochures. All records submitted by and on behalf of an applicant become the property of Purdue University and will not be returned.

NOTE FOR FALL 2025 APPLICANTS:

The December 1st deadline falls over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend during which time our office will be closed. If you have any application or admissions questions, reach out to Liz Rowen (eprowen@purdue.edu) before November 27th as the BME grad office might not be available after that date until the deadline has passed.

For domestic applicants:

  • Online application - choose Biomedical Engineering as ‘Major’;
  • For Professional Master's applicants choose one of the following two research areas:
    • ​Biomedical Device Development (non-thesis, Master's only)
    • Biomedical Device Development with Industry Immersion (non-thesis, Master's only)
  • $60 application fee paid online via credit card. Please note that BME does not have the authority to waive the application fee. The Purdue Graduate School will waive the application fee only in certain circumstances listed at Application Fee ;
  • Resume or curriculum vita;
  • Academic Statement of Purpose;
  • Personal History Statement;
  • Three letters of recommendation;

  • Transcripts: You must upload to the online application transcripts and/or academic document(s) for every institution of higher education you've attended. The uploaded transcript and/or academic document may be from the official or unofficial version of the document. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. An unofficial screenshot/print out from your current/previous institution(s) student-view system is not an acceptable document. If you are currently obtaining your baccalaureate or master’s degree, you will need to provide the current version of your transcript. You will later be required to submit a document that verifies the awarding of that degree. For more information, see Uploading Transcripts

For international applicants:

  • Online application - choose Biomedical Engineering as ‘Major’;
  • For Professional Master's applicants choose one of the following two research areas:
    • ​Biomedical Device Development (non-thesis, Master's only)
    • Biomedical Device Development with Industry Immersion (non-thesis, Master's only)
  • $75 application fee paid online via credit card. Please note that BME does not have the authority to waive the application fee. The Purdue Graduate School will waive the application fee only in certain circumstances listed at Application Fee ;
  • Resume or curriculum vita;
  • Academic Statement of Purpose;
  • Personal History Statement;
  • Three letters of recommendation;

  • Transcripts: You must upload to the online application transcripts and/or academic document(s) for every institution of higher education you attended. If a transcript is not in English, you must also upload an English translation certified by the college or university which issued it. You must also upload copies of your original language diplomas/certificates and their English translations as applicable. The uploaded transcript and/or academic document may be from the official or unofficial version of the document. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. An unofficial screenshot/print out from your current/previous institution(s) student-view system is not an acceptable document.

    If you are currently obtaining your baccalaureate or master’s degree, you will need to provide the current version of your transcript. You will later be required to submit a document that verifies the awarding of that degree. For more information, see Uploading Transcripts and Documents Required by Country; 

  • Minimum English proficiency requirements as set by the Purdue University Graduate School. See English Proficiency Requirements for a complete list of accepted tests, minimum scores, test score expiration and allowable waivers. Please note that BME does not have the authority to waive this requirement.