Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Q. What are the qualifications for admission to the graduate programs in the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering?
A. In general, the minimum qualifications required are a degree in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Paper Science and Engineering, or equivalent with a GPA of 3.3/4.0 and excellent scores on the GRE general exam. The Admissions Committee also considers class rank, research experience, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and other factors when making decisions.
Q. Is the GRE exam mandatory?
A. The general portion of the GRE exam is required for admission. You are encouraged, but not required, to take the subject test.Q. Are there any additional requirements for international students?
A. In addition to the GPA and GRE requirements, international students must also have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the written test or 213 on the computer-based test.Q. May I submit photocopies of GRE and TOEFL scores?
A. Photocopies of GRE and TOEFL scores are acceptable. However, originals must be supplied before admission.Q. Can you give me an idea of my chances for admission?
A. We cannot provide preliminary evaluations of chances for admission. The Admissions Committee carefully studies the entire application before reaching its decision.Q. I am interested in working for a specific faculty member. Should I send my application directly to him/her?
A. You must apply to the School, and not to a specific faculty member. Decisions regarding admission are made by an Admissions Committee and are based on many factors. Upon entering our graduate program, you will be given an opportunity to choose a research advisor after meeting with a number of faculty members.Q. I can only attend graduate school if I receive financial aid during my studies. Is aid available?
A. Financial aid in the form of Graduate Assistantships is available to all qualified students who are admitted to our graduate program The Assistantships will cover tuition, fees, and health insurance, and will provide a competitive stipend. However, you are encouraged to seek outside fellowships (such as NSF, EPA, GEM, etc) to help finance your graduate studies.Q. When will the decision be made on my application?
A. Most of our students are admitted during the Fall semester which begins in late August. Decisions for Fall admission will be made in February or March.Q. I have a degree in another field (chemistry, biology, mechanical engineering, etc). Do I have a chance of being admitted? Will I need to take additional courses?
A. Most of our students have an undergraduate background in chemical engineering. However, we do admit students with other backgrounds, provided they have taken math courses that include differential equations. These students generally need additional coursework in order to strengthen their chemical engineering background.Q. Is it possible to take courses on a part-time basis?
A. Most required courses are offered during the day, and generally meet 2-3 times per week. It is possible to take these courses and conduct research on a part-time basis.Q. What are the admission deadlines?
A. For Fall admission, the deadline for applications is February 1. However, you are encouraged to submit your application anytime before then.Q. I cannot afford to pay the application fee. Can I defer the fee until I am admitted?
A. We understand the financial difficulties associated with applications to graduate programs. However, the $50.00 application fee cannot be deferred or waived.Q. Are multidisciplinary programs available?
A. The School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering participates in several multidisciplinary degree programs, including bioengineering, paper science and engineering and polymers. Admissions to these degree programs are made by the "home" school – in this case, the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. You should indicate your interest to pursue these degrees on your application form. Supplementary materials for these programs are available at:You should be aware that you may also obtain a Chemical Engineering graduate degree and conduct research in multidisciplinary areas such as bioengineering, paper science and engineering and polymers. In fact, the majority of research projects in the School are multidisciplinary, and involve collaboration with faculty and graduate students in other Schools and multidisciplinary Centers at Georgia Tech.