All MSE applications must be submitted electronically.

For more information about the application process, please visit the official SEAS Graduate Studies admissions web page.

*Notice to potential applicants with disabilities

The University of Pennsylvania is committed to providing access and equal educational opportunities to all students, including students with disabilities. Penn does not discriminate against students with disabilities. The University provides reasonable accommodation to a student’s known disability in order to afford that student an equal opportunity to participate in University-sponsored academic and extracurricular programs, activities and services. If you require an accommodation during the admissions process please contact our department or Penn Student Disabilities Services. 

The deadline to apply is February 1st.

Please note that applications received after the deadlines may be considered at the discretion of our faculty.

For more information please visit the official SEAS Graduate Studies admission web page.

Academic prerequisite requirements for the degree are an undergraduate degree in an engineering subject or an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a physical science, natural science, or math major.

Criteria for candidates, application requirements, and procedures may be found on Penn Engineering’s Graduate Admissions page

The GRE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required for admission to the master’s graduate program in CBE.

The Reporting code for the GRE:

• University of Pennsylvania institution code: #2888

The TOEFL: If your native language is not English, you must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a score above 600 written test) or 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet-based test).

*To have this requirement waived, the applicant must, by the time of matriculation, the candidate must have:

• Graduated from a program in the United States or,
• Attended school in a country in which English is recognized as the official language or,
• From an institution where the medium of instruction is English and this is indicated on the unofficial transcript

Reporting code for the TOEFL is:

• SEAS institution code: #2888

A request is not needed; the requirement will be waived after your application and necessary materials are reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Office upon submission of a completed application.  For more information go to: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/

You will find additional information on these tests from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Test score reporting should be completed only through ETS, as only official scores received from ETS will be considered.

Track your application online.

We cannot respond to individual inquiries. We will contact you if materials are missing.

When a completed MSE application is received, it is evaluated by our faculty. Admittance is based on an estimate of the applicant’s ability to successfully complete our graduate program and on the compatibility of student interests with our programs and research.

Applications received after the deadlines may be considered at the discretion of our faculty. Learn more from the Graduate Admissions FAQ.

When an admissions decision is reached, the applicant will be notified directly through the online application system. Please note that department staff may not reveal admission decisions over the telephone or by email.