Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I apply?
• What is the application deadline?
• What is the deadline to submit all supporting documentation?
• Which documents do I need?
• Where do I send my documents?
• Which transcripts should I send?
• How many Letters of Recommendation are required?  How are they submitted?
• Can I defer admission to another semester?
• Can I take classes as a non-matriculated student?
• Can I transfer credits from another university?
• Is Financial Aid available?
• Aside from a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, are there other prerequisites?
• What is Auto-Admit?  Who is eligible?

• Is UB welcoming place for international students?
• What is needed for the TOEFL?
• What is the Financial Statement?
• Where does the I-20 come from?
• When should I expect my I-20?

Please apply using the online application.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. 

For full consideration for funding and fellowships, the online application deadline for Fall admission is January 1. The online application deadline for Spring admission is October 15. For priority consideration by the Graduate Admissions Committee, please apply by these deadlines.  

For full consideration for funding/fellowships the deadline for Fall admission is January 1. The deadline for Spring admission is October 15.

Please see the Application Materials section which outlines all the documents needed.

All documents should be uploaded electronically into the online application system. Please do not send any hard copies of your documents.

Official transcripts are not required before acceptance. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded to your online application. If accepted, we will contact you to explain how to provide official documents electronically. Please do not mail any physical documents to our office. 

Three letters (3) of recommendation are required for the PhD program. No letters of recommendation are required for master's programs. While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer letters from professors who are acquainted with your academic interests, achievements, and abilities. 

You are eligible to defer an acceptance offer  for up to one academic year without penalty. Admission deferrals beyond one academic year require a new application, which will have to be re-reviewed by the admissions committee. To request a deferral upon admission to the program, please a request for deferral with your statement of intent form or email Graduate Admissions at eegrad@buffalo.edu.

Domestic students may take classes as a non-matriculated student, but must be admitted to the program. International students must be on an on an F1 visa in order to take classes as a non-matriculated student.

It is possible to transfer credits from another university if the course grade is "B" or better and the course(s) is relevant to the EE degree program. For the MS and ME programs, no more than 6 credit hours may be transferred to satisfy the degree requirements. For the PhD degree program, a maximum of 30 credit hours as earned MS degree, may be counted towards the 72 credit hour requirement.

If you are interested in financial aid in the form of a teaching assistantship or research assistantship, please check the appropriate box on the application form. No applicant will be considered for financial aid until the application is complete and the applicant has been admitted.

Almost all doctoral students are fully funded in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

For more information, visit or contact the Office of Financial Aid.

In addition to holding a bachelor's degree in engineering or any of the mathematical, physical, behavioral, or health sciences, each entering student is expected to be skilled in a number of specific areas. Proficiency is required in mathematics through the level of multivariate calculus, probability and statistics considered from a calculus point of view, and computer programming.

These requirements must be satisfied prior to admission. Students whose backgrounds have not adequately prepared them to enter the graduate curriculum directly may be asked to take appropriate undergraduate courses. Credit for these courses will not be applied toward the minimum number of hours required for the MS/ME degrees. In exceptional cases, the department may admit an applicant who does not meet all these requirements; in such cases, the department will set special performance criteria for continuing in the program.

Auto-admit is the way the Department recognizes top graduating EE seniors by offering automatic admittance for graduate study at UB EE.  Students selected for auto-admittance are notified after the mid-point of the fall semester of their senior year.

Absolutely! UB has been consistently ranked as a top U.S. host university for international students. UB's strong academic programs and reputation for excellent services and support continue to make the university a leading destination for students around the world.  

See more at: UB among top 20 U.S. host universities for international students 

Information and arrangements to take the exam can be made by contacting the Educational Testing Service at www.ets.org.

It is strongly recommended to make test arrangements early in the year so sufficient time can be allowed for the results to be reported before our application deadline.

Please send your TOEFL results to us by using the following codes: Institution code 2925; Department code 66

All international applicants must submit a completed financial statement. International Applicant Financial Form. Please complete the form labeled "Graduate Students - Standard" for the appropriate academic year.

Answer all questions thoroughly. An I-20 cannot be issued without this statement documenting necessary funds for each year of intended study (two years for a master's program; five years for a PhD program).

The I-20 is sent from UB International Admissions. The I-20 is not sent from the Department of Electrical Engineering.

The I-20 takes approximately six weeks for processing. To expedite your application, submit all required documentation including your passport bio page, financial statement and application fee as early as possible. These can be uploaded online, with your application.

Upon receiving the official I-20 Welcome packet, you should make arrangements for housing, register for International Student Orientation, apply for your student visa, and arrange for travel to Buffalo, New York.

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If you have further questions after reviewing this page, please direct them to eegrad@buffalo.edu and one of our staff members will reply.