Frequently Asked Questions
- Application and Deferment
- Change of Programs
- Deferments
- English Proficiency
- GRE Requirements
- Letter of Recommendation
- PhD Application
- Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aids
Application and Deferment
1. How should I submit application documents?
You can apply online and submit application documents in various ways. Documents are processed in a week or two. The ECE Department does not handle these documents. We only view the documents in the system for admission evaluation. If you have any questions on document uploading, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
2. Can I upload unofficial copies of application documents?
Unofficial copies of your original documents are acceptable for admission review. Please submit your official documents after admission, or processing delays may result. The ECE Department does not handle these documents. We only view the documents in the system for admission evaluation. If you have any questions on document uploading/updating, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
3. May I know the institution code and the department code for sending my TOEFL and GRE scores from the ETS agency?
There is no specific code for the Department of ECE, the UT Dallas code is 6897.
4. By mistake, I entered my current visa type as F1 and applied. By mistake, I put the wrong date of birth (or similar things in nature). should I withdraw my application and apply again?
The ECE Department does not handle these documents. We only view the documents in the system for admission evaluation. If you have any questions on document updates, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
5. My transcripts use a different grading scale system (e.g., 10-point scale or 20 points scale) than a conventional 4.0 GPA scale system. Should I calculate the equivalent of my GPA and submit it?
You do not need to calculate equivalent 4. scale-based GPA for application. Please submit your transcripts regardless of it is based on 10-point scale or 20 points scale or 4.5 scale. Unofficial copies of your original documents are acceptable for admission review. Please submit your official documents after admission, or processing delays may result.
6. When is the deadline for application and how much is it for application?
You can find application deadlines and fees on the Office of Admission page.
7. Can I have an Application Fee Waiver?
The ECE department has no authority of waiving the application fee. The criteria for an application fee waiver is clearly described which says those who get application fee waivers include UTD currently enrolled students and alumni, military personnel, and McNair Scholars program participants only. If you have questions on application fee waiver, please contact the Office of Admission admission-fee@utdallas.edu.
8. Do I need to submit a WES evaluation for application?
The Office of Admission and Enrollment performs evaluations for applicants with international academic credentials. Applicants with international academic documents will be assessed an additional foreign credential evaluation fee of $50.
9. How long does the application process take? How can I check my application status?
Please be sure to submit all required documents for application (3 letters of recommendation, transcripts, essay, TOEFL (or IELTS or Duolingo), and GRE). If any item is missed, your application is not reviewed. If “ALL” required documents were submitted, your application will be reviewed. Every effort is made to process, review, and make a decision on all applications promptly. Your patience is greatly appreciated. You can check your application status online.
10. I am admitted but want to defer it to a later term. What should I do?
The ECE Department does not handle the first deferment request. You can defer your admission online all for yourself. If you want to defer for a second time, you must contact us at ecegradprogram@utdallas.edu. Deferment for more than one year is not allowed and re-application is needed.
11. Is it possible to apply after the regular application deadline?
You can apply before the classes begin but please note that this would come with an additional $75 towards the application. You can check about other information about the late application deadline in our website.
12. Does the department of ECE accept student with 3-year bachelor’s degree?
Applicants who have earned a three-year baccalaureate degree are eligible to apply for admission to UT Dallas graduate programs. Applicants in their final year of undergraduate study may be admitted to a master’s or doctoral degree program at UT Dallas. Evidence for the conferral of the baccalaureate degree must be presented before enrollment in the master’s or doctoral degree program is permitted.
13. What are documents required while applying for the graduate program with the department of ECE?
The documents that are required to apply are:
- Soft Copy of the Transcript
- GRE Score
- English Proficiency Test, if not from the following countries.
- 3 Letter of Recommendations
- Essay describing your background, education, and professional goals.
Change of Programs
1. I am admitted into the MS EE Program. I have changed my mind after admission. Can I change it to MS CE Program?
Although EE, CE, and TE are in the Department of ECE, they are completely separate graduate programs recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Switching from one program to another (e.g., EE to CE (or TE) or vice versa) is not allowed. A new application is needed.
2. I am admitted into the MS CS Program. I have changed my mind after admission. Can I change it to MS CE Program?
CS and CE are completely separate graduate programs recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Switching from one program to another (e.g., CS to CE or vice versa) is not allowed. A new application is needed.
3. My application to the MS EE Program was denied. I want to apply for the MS CE Program. What should I do?
You need to submit a new application. For the new application process, the university waives a foreign credential evaluation fee of $50. However, a $50 application fee is assessed. The ECE department has no authority of waiving the application fee. If you have questions on application fee waiver, please contact the Office of Admission admission-fee@utdallas.edu.
4. I am admitted into the MS EE program with my concentration to be “Circuits”. I changed my mind and want to change to “Computing Systems”? What should I do?
You may change your chosen concentration within the program. You can fill out the Graduate Change of Program Request form, get the advisor’s signature anytime during your graduate program and send it to ecegradprogram@utdallas.edu. Be sure to check all the graduation requirements in the new concentration before submitting the form.
Deferments
1. If deferred the admission, do I need to apply TA-ship?
Yes, an online application must be filled so we highly encourage you to apply on February 1st – February 15th for the Teaching Assistantship.
2. What is the procedure to defer the admission?
If this is your first deferral request, then Login to the Galaxy portal and choose the applicant center. There you can use the “Request Graduate Deferment”. If this is your second request then contact the Office of Admissions.
3. How many times can the admission be deferred?
You can defer up to 2 long semesters. If the admission term is for Fall 2021, you can defer until Fall 2022 and not beyond that. Anything more than this would require a new application.
English Proficiency
1. What is the minimum TOEFL score for admission?
English proficiency requirements can be fulfilled by one of the following (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English Test). We require a minimum TOEFL iBT test score of 80. For TOEFL PBT the minimum score is 550.
2. Do you accept Duolingo Exam for English Proficiency requirements?
English proficiency requirements can be fulfilled by one of the following (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English Test). We accept the Duolingo Exam with a minimum score of 105.
3. What is the minimum IELTS test score for admission?
English proficiency requirements can be fulfilled by one of the following (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English Test). We require a minimum IELTS test score of 6.5.
4. My English Proficiency score is lower than the minimum score(s) described above. Can I still apply?
If your English Proficiency score is lower than that of the university requirement, your application will be automatically rejected by the Office of Admission, and application files will not be forwarded to the ECE department for review.
5. My country’s primary language is English. Am I exempted from the English proficiency requirements?
Applicants from the listed countries are excused from the English proficiency requirement. If the portal displays “required”, please contact The Enrollment Service Department is Office of Admissions and Enrollment admission-status@utdallas.edu. All information entered and updated in the To-do list and Student application status weblink (Galaxy Portal) is managed by The Enrollment Service Department is Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
6. I got my bachelor’s degree (or master’s degree) from a university in the US. Do I still need to submit test scores for the English Proficiency requirements?
If you got your bachelor’s or master’s degree through instruction and examination in English (English Proficiency Requirements), you do not need to submit test scores for the English Proficiency requirements. If the portal displays “required”, please contact Office of Admissions and Enrollment admission-status@utdallas.edu. All information entered and updated in the To-do list and Student application status weblink (Galaxy Portal) is managed by Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
7. Can I get a conditional admit for the English Proficiency score?
Unfortunately, the University of Texas at Dallas does not offer conditional admits based on the English Proficiency score. All students are required to fullfil the score requirement for the application review the department.
GRE Requirements
1. Is GRE required or optional?
We require GRE and we will not consider applications without GRE scores. We accept GRE from Home.
2. Are there minimum GRE scores for admission?
Our catalog describes advisable GRE scores for admission which says the following: GRE revised scores of 154, 156, and 4 for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing components, respectively, are advisable based on our experience with student success in the program. However, the posted scores are not the “minimum” scores. The admission decision is holistically made with the GPA, GRE, essay, and letters of recommendation. Some applicants with lower than those GRE scores have been accepted as GRE scores are not the single factor for admission.
3. After submitting my application, the Galaxy Portal displays “awaiting document” for a GRE score. What should I do?
Your application will be reviewed only after the GRE scores are submitted. All information entered and updated in the To-do list and Student application status weblink (Galaxy Portal) is managed by Office of Admission and Enrollment. If you have further questions on the information displayed in the Galaxy Portal, please contact admission-status@utdallas.edu.
Letter of Recommendation
1. Is there any chance that the Letter of Recommendation can be submitted again?
The ECE Department does not handle uploading/updating these documents. We only view the documents in the system for admission evaluation. If you have any questions on document uploading/updating, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
2. Is there a template for a Letter of Recommendation?
There is no specific template for the letter of recommendation. You can see the Graduate School Request for Recommendation online.
3. Can my professor submit the letter of recommendation after I have submitted my application? My recommenders said they submitted recommendation letters, but the Galaxy Portal still shows the letter of recommendation in the To-Do list. What should I do?
The letter of recommendation request would be automatically sent to your recommenders once you have entered the details in the application form and submitted it. If the Galaxy Portal shows the letter of recommendation in the To-Do list, regardless of what your recommender(s) say, the letter is not in our system. Perhaps the recommender saved the recommendation but did not submit it. The ECE Department does not handle these documents. We only view the documents in the system for admission evaluation after all materials are submitted. If you have any questions on document uploading/updating, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
4. I mistakenly did not waive the right to access the letter of recommendation. What should I do?
The ECE Department does not handle these documents. We only view the documents in the system for admission evaluation after all materials are submitted. If you have any questions on document uploading/updating, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
PHD Application
1. Do I need to have an advisor confirmed to act as my thesis supervisor for PhD application?
Having a PhD advisor for your PhD application is not mandatory. If you are admitted, please note that your PhD advisor will not be assigned by the university. Once you are admitted to the PhD program, you need to find your PhD advisor not only for research progress toward the PhD degree but also for financial assistance. So, we strongly encourage you to contact faculties of your research interest directly by presenting your case to be selected as a PhD candidate in a faculty’s lab.
2. I do not have my master’s degree. Can I directly apply to the PhD program?
A master’s degree is not a requirement for applying to the PhD program. Consideration will be given to “highly” qualified students wishing to pursue the doctorate without satisfying all the requirements for a master’s degree. Apply for the PhD program “only” you strongly feel that you deserve to be considered for a direct PhD.
3. I do not have my master’s degree and directly applied to the PhD program. If the direct PhD application is denied, is my application automatically considered for MS admission?
If you choose to apply for the PhD program without MS and if the committee finds the application is appropriate for the MS program, we consider your MS admission. However, you are not automatically considered for the MS program as the review process is different from that of the direct MS application.
4. How do I know if I am qualified for a direct PhD application without a master’s degree?
There is no clear answer. If you have an outstanding GPA and high GRE scores, your case may be considered for a direct PhD. One way to find out is that you directly contact a few faculties of your research interest with your credentials to see if any of the faculty is interested in accepting you as a direct PhD student in her/his Lab. If you can get one of our ECE faculty’s supporting statements or a letter of recommendation, the chance of getting admitted into a direct PhD program is very high.
5. I am admitted into the PhD program without a master’s degree. Can I get an MS degree while I pursue my PhD degree?
You can submit the Graduate Change of Program Request form by selecting “Add MS to PhD” after you complete the MS graduation requirement during your PhD.
6. As an international student am I allowed to take a part-time PhD program? or am I eligible to apply for only full-time?
Any international students with F-1 visa must maintain full-time status which is 9 semester credit hours (SCHs). This is a federal rule, so we must follow this guideline.
Speaking of the PhD program itself, there is no distinction between part-time PhD and full-time PhD. Application for the PhD program is reviewed regardless the student’s intention to be a part-time and full-time PhD student.
Most PhD students take research hours for credits, so having 9 SCHs are usually not an issue either for a part-time PhD student or a full-time PhD student.
7. Can I continue working at a company while pursuing a PhD?
Our PhD QE (qualifying exam) require a PhD student to take 2 regular graduate level classes in the field of research and have B+ or better grade in both courses. So, making progress on your PhD remotely is not possible (unless we have 100% online class offering in the future).
Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aids
1. I have not received any scholarships/fellowships in my admission letter. I am interested in applying for the scholarships. What should I do?
Application for scholarship/fellowship is separate from the MS/PhD application. We encourage you to check the financial assistance page to find financial assistance information. We offer merit-based scholarships for both MS and PhD students. Once the scholarship is available, the scholarship announcement will be posted on the department web page and all eligible students will receive an email notification. If you do not apply for a scholarship, you will not be considered. PLEASE DO NOT SEND INQUIRY EMAIL ON SCHOLARSHIP AS YOU WON’T GET REPLIES.
2. What kind of scholarship is available and how can I increase my chance?
As shown on the financial assistance page, there are various fellowships/scholarships offered by the ECE Department and Jonsson Engineering School. We offer “merit-based” scholarships for both MS and PhD students. The most common form of scholarship to MS students is the ECE $1,000 Scholarship. PhD students who do not have PhD advisors may receive this same scholarship. The scholarship awards the recipient $1,000 and may entitle the awardee for in-state tuition instead of out-of-state tuition. This is “merit-based” not “need-based”. While we review applications without GRE due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GRE scores are a critical factor for scholarship evaluation. If you do not have GRE scores, your chance of getting scholarships is very low. We will put our best effort to offer a maximum number of $1,000 scholarships in the coming semesters. AGAIN, PLEASE DO NOT SEND INQUIRY EMAIL ON SCHOLARSHIP AS YOU WON’T GET REPLIES.
3. Will I be automatically considered for Teaching Assistantship? Or do I need to apply?
The online application must be submitted to be considered as a TA. The application window yearly is February 1st – February 15th. Support from one of our ECE faculty for your application is extremely crucial to be selected as TA. Applying without faculty support has a very low chance of being selected as a TA. If you are interested, you may directly contact faculties of your research interest to see if you can get a faculty’s support on your TA application.
4. Does the Department of ECE offer TA/RA to MS students?
We would like to emphasize that TA/RA are highly competitive and are mostly awarded to PhD students. RAs are solely depending on funding from the faculty supervisor. So, we encourage you to get in contact with the faculty/advisor under whom you want to work.
5. When will I know whether I am selected for TA or not? If I am selected as a TA, is the position guaranteed until my graduation?
The TA selection results are typically announced between April 2nd – April 15th. The TA appointment is done by academic year (Fall and Spring semester). You must submit an online application each year during the application window of February 1st – February 15th to be considered.
6. I have not received the result of the ECS $1000 Scholarship, am I selected?
Unfortunately, if you have not received an email by May 31st, we could not select you this time. All the students who have been selected for the scholarship are directly emailed.