To assess an applicant’s promise, the department relies on information provided with the OGI application:
Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
Desirable minimum GPA is 3.5/4.0. The department also looks at the amount of preparation in computer science and related courses in mathematics and engineering.
Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE)
You need only submit scores for the general test; scores from the GRE computer science subject test are not required.
Recently admitted Ph.D. students have averaged 88th percentile on the quantitative section and 89th percentile on the analytical section.
Students who did not take the TOEFL averaged 90th percentile on the verbal section; TOEFL score requirements are explained below.
Letters of recommendation.
These should address your skills, dedication, and accomplishments. Ask
your recommenders to mention how long and in what capacity they have known you. If they are not known to the CSEE faculty, they should also describe their own background and experience. Even if you've been out of school for a while, we suggest that you include at least one recommendation from someone who knows you from an academic setting.
If you participated in any research project as an undergraduate or graduate student or as part of your job, we strongly advise you to include a recommendation from someone who knows that work.
Statement of purpose.
In your own words, describe your goals for graduate study and a professional career and the field of specialization you have chosen for your graduate work. Be sure to mention any prior research experience, such as an undergraduate thesis or a research assistant position, and the results of it, such as published papers or implemented systems.
The statement of purpose is important in our evaluation of your application because it is used to determine the compatibility of your interests and goals with our areas of research activity. As part of the assessment for admission to the Ph.D. program, your file will be forwarded to faculty whose areas of interest match yours. An additional factor that the faculty will assess is whether or not they are able to take on additional students in any given quarter.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
This test is required of all Ph.D. applicants whose native language is not English. Desirable score is 650. An applicant whose score is between 580 and 650 may be admitted if special mitigating factors exist, e.g., excellent GRE scores.
Additional information about prerequisites is available here.
Each year OGI/CSEE admits fewer than a dozen outstanding students to
the Ph.D. program. Financial assistance is awarded to the top applicants, usually in the form of research assistantships and fellowships.
To apply to the CSEE Ph.D. program, complete OGI’s application. If you
have additional questions about admission, please send e-mail to the CSEE
academic coordinator.
