Admissions
Thank you for your interest in UB's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering! Applying to one of our graduate programs is a simple process, and allows us to review your completed application quickly.
Why Choose MAE?
We offer several graduate programs, each with different admissions requirements. Select your program of interest below to see specific requirements.
Admissions requirements vary by program. Be sure to visit your program of interest for specific admissions requirements. In general, applicants must provide the following:
Students can apply online. New applicants must create an account. If you have applied in the past, you will be asked to log in to your existing account to start a new application.
The application includes sections that will ask you to provide us with personal/biographical information, contact information, citizenship details, your past or current college/university, and degree details. You will be able to enter the names and contact information of your recommenders and upload supporting materials to your application. You may upload supporting documents while completing the application form or after you have submitted your application in your Application Status Portal.
You do not need official transcripts or test scores to apply. Unofficial copies are sufficient for application review, but students are encouraged to provide official copies if they have them.
A non-refundable fee of $100 is required to apply for Spring 2025 or later terms. The application fee for Fall 2024 is $85. After you submit your application form, you can pay the application fee online in your Application Status Portal with a credit card or e-check.
Copies of transcript(s) for all post-secondary schoolwork must be uploaded with your application for initial review. Upon an offer of admission, accepted applicants will be required to submit official transcripts and proof of degree(s).
Please upload a brief personal statement describing your educational objectives, your academic experience, and why you're interested in the program. There is no required length or word limit for the statement.
Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your application. Your resume or CV should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.
Two letters of recommendation are required to apply to master's programs. Three letters of recommendation are required to apply to PhD programs.
Letters are automatically requested when you enter recommenders' names and email addresses in your application. While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer letters from professors acquainted with your academic interests, achievements, and abilities.
GRE scores are required for all PhD applicants. Master's applicants are only required to submit GRE scores if their bachelor's degree was obtained from a non-US institute. We do not have any minimum GRE score requirement for admission into our program.
International applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. The chart below outlines acceptable test types and the university's minimum score required for admission. All applicants whose native language is not English will be required to provide proof of English proficiency.
Copies may be submitted for initial review. Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
| Test Type | University Minimum Score | To Order... |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores) TOEFL Home Edition | 79 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8.5 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL ITP Plus | 550 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator | 6.5 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| 55 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 | ADA Department of Testing will report your official scores to central application services |
Exam results must be dated within two years from your proposed date of admission and remain valid upon entering the term for which you applied.
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 application deadlines.
Exemptions to English Language Proficiency requirements can be found on The Graduate School website.
General Application Deadlines
We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, but recommend the following deadlines:
Fall Admission
- December 1: Full consideration for funding/fellowships
- December 15: Consideration for department funding
April 15: Domestic applicants who are not requesting financial aid
Spring Admission
- September 15: Full consideration for funding/fellowships
- December 15: Self-funded applicants
Questions about your application?
If you have questions about admissions requirements or your online application, contact gradeng@buffalo.edu.