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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - M.S. and PhD PROGRAMS

Undergraduate Background

Students with undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering, materials science, chemistry, or physics with outstanding grade point averages are encouraged to apply for admission in programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer Engineering.

Requirements

Requirements for admission into the Department of Polymer Engineering are as follows:

1. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of:
   • 2.75 or higher overall on a 4.00 scale, or
   • 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale for work completed in the last two years.
   Students coming from foreign universities not offering letter grades must receive a "First Class" grade or equivalent.
   
   Students accepted for admission into M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Polymer Engineering typically have GPA's well above 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
2. Reporting of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores are mandatory and no application will be processed without GRE scores. The school code for The University of Akron is 1829.
3. Three letters of professional recommendation are required. The letters must reference that the applicant has a strong potential to excel in course work and carry out independent scientific research. These may be sent either through the "Apply Yourself " system or through regular mail by the referees furnished on their official letterhead. Letters of recommendation without signatures or which are not on legible, official letterheads will be disregarded and may delay the application being reviewed.
4. International students must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores with a minimum total of either: 550 (pbt), 213 (cbt), 79 iBT or 6.5 for IELTS.

How to Apply

You are strongly encouraged to apply online by clicking here or on the button below.

Please note that ALL application materials, forms, reference letters, and scores must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions rather than to the Department of Polymer Engineering. Applications are processed throughout the year for Fall semester admission; however, priority consideration is given to those students whose files are completed by January 15 th each year. Questions regarding admission or the application process may be directed to Graduate School or to Mrs. Millie Pearson in the Department of Polymer Engineering at:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Polsky Building 469
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2101
Phone: 330-972-7663
Fax: 330-972-6475
Email: gradschool@uakron.edu

Ms. Cheryl Collins
Department of Polymer Engineering
107 Polymer Engineering Academic Center
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-0301
Phone: 330-972-5281
Fax: 330-258-2339
Email: cac32@uakron.edu

Financial Assistance

Offers of research assistantship with tuition waiver are available for outstanding applicants. A limited number of tuition scholarships are also available. If you are applying electronically through this link, the online application itself includes a question asking if you wish to be considered for financial assistance. If, however, you are applying with a paper-based application, you will need to submit the Application for Assistantship form in addition to the Application for Admission. No decision on assistantship offers will be made until the middle of February. Therefore, candidates applying for assistantship offers are strongly encouraged to complete their files before January 15 th. Applicants who do not receive assistantship offers may resubmit their request for consideration the following Fall semester.

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