Application Requirements for On-Campus Programs

Thank you for your interest in Purdue's Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program. Look over the requirements below, and then complete your application online.

Application Fee: $60 for domestic applicants, $75 for international applicants. Application fee waivers are available; more information can be found here.

Deadlines:

  • Fall: December 1 (for fellowships), or January 15 (for teaching assistants)
  • Spring: September 15
  • Summer: we do not admit during the Summer

GPA: The minimum recommended GPA to apply is 3.2 out of 4.0.

The necessary documents to be submitted when applying are:

1. Statement of Purpose

2. Transcripts (Original language and English translations are both needed for international applicants)

  • Upload official transcript copies to the application. Copy or student copy transcripts are accepted as well, but those downloaded from an institution's student system are not accepted. After being admitted, you will need to provide final official transcripts in sealed envelopes to the Graduate School. E-transcripts can be sent to Purdue Graduate School gradadm@purdue.edu via international accredited university, Parchment Exchange, or TrueCopy Credentials.
  • According to the State of Indiana law, your social security number or other student ID similar to SSN should not appear in the transcripts. Please use a black marker to block your SSN before uploading transcripts.
  • International applicants must upload a copy of baccalaureate degree diploma, or provisional certificate showing expected graduation date if diploma have not been awarded, in original language and in English.

3. Three Letters of Recommendation. Recommenders will receive a link via email to upload letters. Applicants can submit application without recommendation letters being uploaded. 

4. Official GRE Scores (general test, home test accepted.) No minimum requirements. Quantitative score of 162 or above and Analytical Writing score of 4 or above are recommended.

  • Send GRE scores to Purdue - West Lafayette, institution code 1631.
  • Submit your application then log in back to the application portal, upload score report as GRE score report (optional).
  • GRE is not required for current Purdue ME undergraduates and applicants who have received a Purdue BSME degree. Email ME Grad Office after submitting your application to request a waiver. Please note that GRE is needed if you’d like to be considered for fellowships.  

5. Official English Proficiency Scores (internationals from non-English speaking countries only.) Cannot be more than two years old.  Choose one:

  • TOEFL (IBT) must have minimum scores of:
    • Writing: 18
    • Speaking: 18
    • Listening: 14
    • Reading: 19
    • TOTAL: 80
  • TOEFL Essentials must have minimum scores of:
    • Writing: 8
    • Speaking: 8
    • Listening: 8
    • Reading: 8
    • TOTAL: 8
  • IELTS must have minimum scores of:
    • Writing: 5.5
    • Speaking: 6.0
    • Listening: 6.0
    • Reading 6.5
    • TOTAL: 6.5
  • Send TOEFL scores to Purdue – West Lafayette, institution code 1631.
  • Send IELTS scores electronically to Purdue University Office of International Admissions.
  • Submit your application then log in back to the application portal, upload score report as TOEFL/ IELTS score report  (optional)
  • If you received a baccalaureate/graduate/professional degree within the past 36 months prior to the time of recommendation for admission, from a school where English is the primary instruction language in one of the recognized English-speaking countries, English proficiency requirement can be waived. Please check ETS website for recognized English speaking countries.

6. Resume

7. Diversity Essay (only required for applicants seeking recruitment fellowships)

Official Transcripts can be sent to:

Graduate Admissions, YONG 170
Purdue University Graduate School
155 S. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907

Electronic transcripts need to be sent to gradadm@purdue.edu via international accredited university, Parchment Exchange, or TrueCopy Credentials.

Reminder: We will NOT review incomplete applications. Please login to your application account to check if any documents are missing.

Click here to begin your application!

Application Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply if my undergrad major is not Mechanical Engineering? We accept students who have a bachelor's degree in engineering or science. Students from majors like Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Math, Physics, etc. are welcome to apply. You are expected to complete Calculus 1, 2, 3, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Physics 1 and 2.

2. Can I submit my application after the deadline? Yes, we accept applications submitted after funding deadlines. You are highly suggested to submit early. The longer you wait the less likely for you to be admitted.

3. What assistance can I receive if I can’t afford the GRE test fee? ETS provides a GRE Fee Reduction program to domestic students and resident aliens. They also provide free test prep materials and free GRE Diagnostic Service for those retaking the GRE General Test.

4. I have ordered my TOEFL/GRE test scores to be sent to your university a long time ago but my application still indicates waiting for these scores. What should I do? Please make sure you are using the same first and last names for your application and TOEFL/GRE tests. The system cannot match your scores with your application if you are using different names. Until you submit your application and pay the application fee, TOEFL scores received will not match with your application. It will then take approximately 5 business days to be verified. We suggest that you upload test score reports to your application to help us locate your official scores.

5. I accidentally checked the box indicating that I do not waive rights to review recommendation letters. Can you help me change my selection? You might be able to change it before you submitting application. Once submitted, you need to contact the graduate school.

6. What should I include in a diversity essay? You can describe your leadership, work experience, service experience, or other significant involvement with racial, ethnic, socio-economic, or educational communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education, and how these experiences would promote a diversity of views, experiences, and ideas in the pursuit of research, scholarship, and creative excellence.  Please keep it short, ideally in one page. Please also include your US high school name and address in the beginning of your essay. International applicants who didn’t attend a US high school do not need to include their high school information.

7. Can I edit or add new documents to my application after submission? Once you submitted your application, you will not be able to edit it but you can upload new materials as miscellaneous supporting documents. Please be aware if your application has been reviewed, we will not review it again even if new documents have been added.

8. How long should I wait to get an admission decision? Time frame may vary depending on the application volume. You can login to your application account to check status. Consistent email inquiries would not speed up decision release.

9. My application has been denied. Can I find out the reasons for denial/ weakness of my application? Reasons for denial include a number of factors, such as academic qualifications, available funding and/or enrollment limitations. Each application is reviewed and considered based on these factors. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to individually respond as to what weakness your application may have had. Admission decisions are final.

10. I have been admitted. When is the deadline to respond to the admission? For on-campus programs, please respond by June 1 for fall enrollment and by November 15 for spring enrollment.

11. What kinds of funding will be provided by the school? Funding offers are separate from admissions. Research students in MS thesis, D-PhD or PhD programs are funded with fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships. Non-thesis students in Professional Master’s and Online Master’s programs are self-funded and pay tuition by themselves.

12. How can I defer my admission? You are allowed to defer admission up to 1 year from your originally admitted term. For example, you have been admitted to Fall 2023, you can defer to Spring 2024 or Fall 2024. Deferral request can be sent to ME Grad Office before your admitted term starts. (Please note:  if you request to defer admission, please don’t register for any courses in your originally admitted semester.  Once you register, you are considered an active student in that semester and cannot defer.)

13. What is the tuition rate for your grad program? Tuition and fee rates may vary from year to year. Please check the Purdue Bursar’s Office website for accurate fee rates.

14. Where can I get information about your school’s health insurance? For student health insurance coverage, cost or other questions, please contact Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH), 765-496-3998 or email.

 

Click here to begin your application!

 

ME Graduate Office
516 Northwestern Ave. (4th floor of Wang Hall)
West Lafayette, IN 47906
MEgradoffice@purdue.edu
(765) 494-5730
Virtual office hours available every Tues/Wed/Thurs