Thank you for your interest in pursuing graduate studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University.  This page will provide you with information that will help you to put together your application for admission to the program.(ATTENTION: DEPARTMENTAL GRADUATE DATA SHEET IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR APPLICATION; HARD COPIES OF RECOMMENDATION LETTTERS ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED!) 

ATTENTION INCOMING GRADUATE STUDENTS:
If you have been accepted to Texas A&M University and you will be joining the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering please inform Jeanie Marshall at jeanie@ece.tamu.edu with your full name and UIN no less than two weeks prior to the start of the semester that you will be attending.

Your applications will consist of several components:

 ApplyTexas

This form can be completed online at ApplyTexas. Detailed instructions for the completing this form can also be found at that site. On item number 11, you will be asked to enter an area of interest. In order to expedite the processing of your application, please select your area of interest from one of the following 8 areas:

• Analog & Mixed Signal,
• Biomedical Imaging and Genomic Signal Processing
• Computer Engineering
• Control Systems
• Electric Power and Power Electronics
• Electromagnetics and Microwaves
• Solid State Electronics, Photonics and Nano-engineering,
• Telecommunications and Signal Processing.

You can find details on each of these areas of specialization by visiting the ECE web site. By selecting one of these areas, you will be giving the graduate office advice as to which group should be reviewing your application. Hence, it is important that you carefully review the descriptions of the various groups to determine which best suits your interests.

Once you have submitted the Texas Common Application Form, in a few days you should be assigned a universal identification number (UIN) from the Office of Admissions. When you obtain a UIN, you are ready to proceed to the next step.

 Departmental Data Sheet (REQUIRED)

Once you have been assigned a UIN, please complete the departmental data sheet. You can get to this form by clicking on the link provided or by going directly to the following URL: https://records.ece.tamu.edu/GradForm/Form.php. (Please note that firefox or chrome users might be asked to install the certificate. It can be downloaded here or you can just add the exception without installing the certificate.)

Completing this form will enter your application into the department's processing system. The department cannot process your application until you have completed this form and hence failure to complete this form will greatly delay your application. Most of the items on this form are very straightforward. One item that can cause confusion for some applicants is the grade point ratio (GPR). We would like you to report your GPR on a 4.0 scale. If your university uses a different scale, please do your best to translate your scores to a 4.0 scale. We ask the applicants to do this because we have found that you will do a better job of this translation than we will. Note also, that many schools provide a class ranking. If you know your ranking, you may provide this instead of a GPR (or you can provide both). Also, it is very important that you provide us with a valid email address which you check periodically. This is how we will contact you if we have any questions regarding your application or need further information. We will also contact you about any potential financial aid offers through email.

 Statement of Purpose

In this one page essay, please give a description of why you want to pursue graduate studies in electrical or computer engineering and why you feel that Texas A&M is the right place for your graduate studies. Also include a description of your intended field of specialization, your academic background in this area, and any relevant experience you may have in this field. If you have one, please include a brief plan for your graduate research. Please try to keep this essay short and concise as unnecessary verbiage will make it difficult for our reviewers to find important information. Your statement of purpose should be submitted through the Apply Texas online application system. Do not send hard copies of your SOP to the graduate office.

 Letters of Recommendation (ONLY ACCEPT ONLINE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS)

You should include at least three (3) letters of recommendation. It is preferred that these letters come from faculty who have been involved with your most advanced levels of academic education. We would like your referees to assess your research potential and in general your likelihood for success as a graduate student at Texas A&M. It would be helpful if they could specifically mention your rank and performance in their courses and any other items that indicate your scholarly abilities. If you cannot obtain three letters from current or past professors, you may include letters from employers, but usually these letters will carry less weight than letters from academic referees. You should not include letters from family friends or other non-technical referees who cannot fairly assess your academic abilities. Starting with applications for the 2009 Fall Semester, the ECE department will no longer accept hard copies of recommendation letters. All letters must be submitted through the online system. You will be provided with detailed instructions of how to submit recommendation letters when you complete your application through the Apply Texas online system.

 Standardized Test Scores

GRE test scores are required for all applicants. TOEFL scores may be required depending on your educational background. While you may submit your application before you have received your official scores and then submit the test scores at a later date, we cannot process your application until we have received these scores. Test scores should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to Texas A&M University and be from a test date within five years of the date the application form reached the Office of Admissions and Records. Use code 6003 for reporting GRE scores (Department code not needed). The department does not have a minimum requirement on standardized test scores however successful applicants typically have very competitive scores. Average scores for graduate students entering the ECE department in the Fall 2011 were: GRE Quantitative - 782/800, GRE Verbal - 527/800, GRE Writing - 3.52/6.0, TOEFL - 104.

TOEFL Scores: Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of English proficiency, which is satisfied by:

a.     a minimum TOEFL score of:

                    i.        550 for paper-based testing (paper based test),

                   ii.        213 computer-based testing (computer based test),

                  iii.        80 internet-based testing (internet based test ), or

b.     a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall band, or

c.     completing all years of a Bachelor's degree or higher at a U.S. accredited university.

Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to be considered official. The institutional code for Texas A&M University for the TOEFL is 6003 (no department codes needed). Test scores should be from a test date within two years of the date the application form reached the Office of Admissions and Records. There is no institutional code for the IELTS examination (the testing agency should mail official results to the address below). Tests should be taken at least eight weeks prior to the appropriate application deadline to ensure timely receipt and processing of results. We will use your highest test score from one test date. Copies of test scores are not considered official, but they may help the University locate your official test scores and are therefore useful when the application is processed. You may verify receipt of your official scores by contacting Measurement and Research Services at the address below (e-mail is preferred). You will need to include your name (as given on test), date of birth, University Identification Number (UIN), type of test, date of test and date you requested scores to be sent.

 Transcripts / Degree Statements

Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Instructions and mailing addresses for domestic and international students can be found on the Office of Admissions and Records web site. If you are currently completing a program, you do not have to submit a final transcript with your application, but we will need an up-to-date current transcript of your current program with the application. Upon admission to the program, you may bring two copies of your final transcript or degree statement with you when you arrive on campus and supply them to the graduate office when you check in.

 Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $50 for domestic applicants and $90 for international applicants is required. The Office of Admissions and Records web site provides details on acceptable forms of payment for both domestic and international applicants. Your application cannot be processed until the fee has been paid.

 Graduate Application Status Check

Once you fill out the department data sheet, you may check the status of your application by entering your UIN (Universal Identification Number), last name and the semester you applied for in the following link Graduate Application Status Check. If your status is "Incomplete", it means not all required application documents have been received; If your status is "Under Review", it means all required application documents have been received and your application is under review with the group you specified as your area of interest; If your status is "Complete", it means your application has been reviewed and a decision has been made. At that point, you can check your application result through the Texas A&M University Applicant Information System.

Click on the links below for more information on the following topics:

 Financial Aid

The department offers financial aid of several forms on a competitive basis:

• Research Assistantships (RAs) – RAs provide a monthly stipend (minimum $1,350/month for Ph.D. students and $1,250/month for MS students) as well as tuition payment and are provided by individual faculty members. Inquiries regarding RAs should be directed to the faculty member with whom you would like to work.
  
• Teaching Assistantships (TAs) – TAs provide the same support as an RA (stipend plus tuition). The teaching assistant is assigned to teach laboratory courses within the department. International students must pass the English Language Proficiency Examination (ELPE) administered by Texas A&M before they can be eligible for a TA position. International students who have completed at least four years at an English speaking institution can be exempted from taking the ELPE. TAs are typically not offered to incoming international students unless they have been exempted from taking the ELPE. International students are encouraged to sign up to take the ELPE upon arrival on campus so that they may be considered for TAs in future semesters.
  
  
• Fellowships – A variety of fellowships are available from the department, university, and other outside sources. Information on various fellowships is posted on our web site. All admitted applicants will be considered for internal sources of fellowships. No separate application is needed. For external sources of funding, the applicant must contact the funding source directly.
  
  
• Scholarships – The department offers a number of $1,000 scholarships to incoming students on a competitive basis. In addition, these scholarships also qualify the recipient to be eligible for the in-state tuition rate for the remainder of the year. This can represent approximately $6,000 in tuition savings.

 Graduate Admissions Timeline

In order to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid, it is important to get your completed application in well before the application deadline. The timeline below will give you an idea of when various actions are taken relative to applications for the Fall semester.

• December 1:
  • Deadline for completed application to be submitted for applicants who would like to be considered for Competitive University Fellowships (US citizens and Permanent Residents only).


• Early January
  • Department Graduate Office prepares nominations for various University Fellowships.


• Mid. January:
  • Department Graduate Office must submit completed nominations (to Office of Graduate Studies) for University Fellowships.


• February 1:
  • Deadline for completed applications to be submitted for applicants who want to be considered for departmental financial aid (TA/Fellowship/Scholarship).


• March 1:
  • Deadline for all completed applications to be submitted.
  • Departmental fellowship/scholarship committee meets to discuss/choose award recipients.


• March 15:
  • Offers made by the Office of Graduate Studies for various University Fellowships.
  • TA offers made to new students (domestic or those not needing to take the ELPE).
  • Departmental fellowship offers made.
  • Departmental scholarship offers mad
    
    
• April 15 Deadline to accept TA/Fellowship/Scholarship offers.



• August 1 Deadline for all students (incoming and returning) to apply for TA position.



• August 15 Final TA appointments made.



• Late August First day of classes.
• Final one-time scholarship offers made

 Applications to Spring Semester

While we do accept applications for the Spring Semester we strongly encourage incoming students to start in the Fall. The reason for this is that our graduate curriculum is structured for students who begin the program in the Fall semester. Graduate courses are typically offered at most once per year with entry level courses typically offered in the Fall and follow up courses often offered in the Spring. Hence, students entering the program in the Spring will end up taking “second semester” courses during their first semester. In the past, this has led to more frequent academic difficulties for students who begin their graduate program in a Spring semester. Typically there are no graduate courses offered in the Summer Semester.  Only those students who have arrangements to work on a specific research project would begin their program in a Summer semester.

 Application Deadlines

Official Deadlines for graduate applications are as follows:

• Fall - March 1
• Spring - August 1

Those who wish to be considered for various forms of financial aid need to get their applications in well before these deadlines.  Please refer to the Graduate Admissions Timeline above for more details.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit FAQ for frequenty asked questions.

 Links to Other Web Sites

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Home Page: http://www.ece.tamu.edu
• Graduate Admissions: http://www.ece.tamu.edu/Graduate/GradAdmissions.php
• Areas of Specialization: http://www.ee.tamu.edu/Graduate/GraAreasofSpec.pdf
• Graduate Applicant Data Sheet: http://www.ece.tamu.edu/GradForm/Form.php
• Financial Aid Information:
  http://www.ece.tamu.edu/Graduate/GraFinancialAid.htm
• Contact Information
• Graduate Office
  • Ms. Tammy Carda: tammy@ece.tamu.edu
  • Ms. Jeanie Marshall: jeanie@ece.tamu.edu
• Graduate Coordinator:
  • Prof. Scott Miller: smiller@ece.tamu.edu

Office of Admissions and Records

• Home Page: http://admissions.tamu.edu/graduate
• Domestic Applicants: http://admissions.tamu.edu/graduate/apply.aspx
• International Applicants:  http://admissions.tamu.edu/graduate/intnl.aspx

International Programs Office

• Home Page: http://international.tamu.edu
• International Student Services: http://international.tamu.edu/iss
• English Language Proficiency Examination: http://international.tamu.edu/iss/people/newstudents_elpe.asp

Measurement and Research Services

• ELPE Registration: http://www.tamu.edu/mars/elpe.htm

Office of Graduate Studies: http://ogs.tamu.edu

Apply Texas: http://www.applytexas.org