FAQs
FAQs in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Q. What is the deadline for applications?
A. The application deadline for Fall quarter 2012 is January 15th.
Q. What documents do I need to submit by the deadline ?
A. Use the following list as a guideline of documents needed for a complete application
__________ Application - can be done on line
__________ Application Fee - can be done on line
__________ Statement Of Purpose - can be done on line
__________ Copy of GRE - can be ordered directly from ETS and sent to our UCI Graduate Division
__________ Copy of TOEFL - can be ordered directly from ETS and sent to our UCI Graduate Division
__________ Official Copy of Transcripts (2 sets)
__________ 3 letters of recommendation - can be don on line
The only item that you really need to send is just the 2 sets of transcripts. We would like to see copies of your GRE/TOEFL so we don't have to wait for ETS to report them, but you don't need to send them if you have ordered them.
Please send the above items to the following address:
University of California, Irvine
Department of EECS ~ Graduate Admission Office
2201 Engineering Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-2625-10
Please do not include financial documents at this time. If we require them, we will contact you. Do not include them with your documents.
Please do not use any staples, paper clips or scotch tape on any envelopes or documents.
Documents in envelopes, should be folded in thirds only.
Do not separate documents with paper clips or staples.
Please do not submit presentation folders.
Q. What is the minimum GPA ?
A.Grade Point Averages are calculated on a 4.0 scale. If your school does not grade using a 4.0 grade point average, we will convert if for you using the International GPA guide. Unless your transcripts specifically states that your school uses the 4.0 GPA, then our calculations will stand.
For admission into the Master's program you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
If you are applying to the Doctoral program, you must have earned a 3.0 in your Undergraduate education and at least a 3.5 in your MS program.
Q. Can you waive the application fee?
A. The university offers potential graduate students who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents the opportunity to apply for an application fee waiver. All of the instructions are available on our website located at http://www.grad.uci.edu/prospective/. Foreign applicants are not eligible for graduate application fee waivers.
Q. How many international and domestic students are admitted to the department quarter?
A. Approximately 2/3 of domestic applicants and 1/3 of international students are admitted each year.
Q. Is it easier to be admitted for the Fall, Winter or spring quarter?
A. Applications are accepted for Fall quarter only. Under special circumstances, PhD students only enroll in the Winter or Spring quarters only if they have a faculty sponsor in the department. Fellowships are only awarded in the Fall quarter.
Q. May I defer my admission offer?
A. Admitted students may be approved to defer admissions for up to one year. Deferral requests must be made in writing before the start of the original quarter of admission. Students may only defer once.
Q. If I defer my offer of admission with financial support, what are my chances of being offered financial support again later?
A. The department will often approve admission and financial support deferral for one quarter only, from Fall to Winter. When a student defers admission from Fall to Fall, you will be giving up your financial support.
Q. My admission letter didn't include an offer of financial support. When will I hear about my financial support?
A. Every effort is made to make admission and financial support offers together for outstanding applicants. Most financial aid is offered at the same time as the admission offer. It will be noted in your admission letter. The department may make additional offers after April 15th subject to available funding.
Q. Are my chances of being admitted to a graduate degree program in the Department better if I do not require financial assistance?
A. Uniform admissions standards are applied to all students regardless of financial need.Please do not send any financial information with your application.
Q. I received a fellowship for next academic year that includes a monthly stipend. Will I be required to work as a TA or a GSR in return for the stipend?
A. Conditions of your financial support award are included in the formal letter you received from the Department. Employment as a TA or GSR is not generally required when the student's financial support package includes a monthly stipend. When service is required in return for the stipend, the student is typically employed on a "without salary" basis as a Graduate Student Researcher.
Q. What forms of financial aid are available for incoming graduate students?
A. There are two broad types of financial support offered to incoming graduate students: fellowships and student employment.
The Department makes a small number of fellowship offers each Fall to outstanding entering graduate students. The conditions and terms of the various fellowship awards will vary, but they usually include the remission of fees and nonresident tuition and a monthly stipend for living expenses. Fellowship recipients are selected at the same time that admission decisions are made.
Graduate students may be employed as Graduate Student Researchers or Teaching Assistants also. Individual faculty members have research funds available for supporting incoming students as GSRs. Interested applicants should inquire about such opportunities directly to the ECE faculty whose research programs most closely match their own background and interests. A current list of faculty and their research areas is available at the department website.
The Department also offers TA positions to the most highly qualified incoming graduate students each Fall. These positions—like fellowships—are filled by candidates selected during the Fall admissions process.
Important note: All international students who wish to be TAs must first pass the TOEFL iBT speaking section with a minimum score of 26. You may also have taken the IELTS and scored at least an 8 on the speak section, but no module can be less than a 6. Upon your arrival to UCI, you may sign up for the SPEAK exam.
Q. Can I be employed as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)?
A. To be hired as a TA or GSR, students must provide proof of eligibility for employment on campus. All international students who wish to be a TA must first pass the TOEFL iBT speaking section with a minimum score of 26. You may also have taken the IELTS and scored at least an 8 on the speak section, but no module can be less than a 6. Upon your arrival to UCI, you may sign up for the SPEAK exam. You must pass this exam with a score of at least 50.
Q. Will my admission offer include guaranteed access to on-campus housing?
A. PhD students are generally offered student housing, provided they register for housing and pay the deposit. There will be a deadline for this. Usually the first of May, 2011, All newly admitted students are responsible for applying on their own to live on campus; you will receive information directly from the UCI Housing Office concerning the various housing options available on campus. Early applications to live in on-campus housing are strongly encouraged; you do not need to wait to be admitted to apply to live on campus.
Q. What's the institution code for GRE and TOEFL?
A. The institution code for GRE and TOEFL is 4859
