Admissions | Department of Mechanical Engineering (2024)

First-Year Applicants

Students who wish to study at the A. James Clark School of Engineering apply for admission to the University of Maryland following the instructions available at https://admissions.umd.edu/apply/freshman-applicants. There is no separate application for engineering. When filling out the university application, you may choose mechanical engineering as your intended major. You may also apply as an undecided engineering major.

Engineering is an LEP (Limited Enrollment Program) and admission is highly competitive. For example, the fall 2016 freshman class for Mechanical Engineering had an average high school GPA of 4.439, and average combined SAT 25/75 Percentile scores of 1330/1448.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is not directly involved in the admissions process so it is best to contact an Undergraduate Admissions counselor for more information.

The following Clark School resources may help you get started on your application:

Frequently Asked Questions:Confused about your admission decision or your future at the Clark School? Follow this link tohelp answer some of your questions and concerns.
Information Sessions: Attend a virtual information session or an in-person facilities tour to learn more about Maryland Engineering.
The First Year: Learn what your first year may look like as a student.

Transfer Applicants

UMD students not enrolled in the Clark School or those enrolled in another institution who wish to transfer into Maryland Engineering should follow the guidance available at https://eng.umd.edu/transferandhttps://admissions.umd.edu/apply/transfer-applicants.

Applicants interested in earning an M.Eng. degree should visit the Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering admissions page.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2024 Applicants

October 13, 2023 is the final deadline for U.S. Citizens and international applicants within the U.S.
September 22, 2023 is the final deadline for international applicants.

Fall 2024 Applicants

December 01, 2023 is the priority deadline for financial aid best consideration.
March 08, 2024 is the final deadline for international applicants
May 10, 2024 is the final deadline for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited college or university (or equivalent from a foreign institution)
At least a 3.0 G.P.A. (on a 4.0 scale) in a program of study in engineering, math, or physical science.

Required Application Materials

Applications will not be reviewed until the Graduate School Application has been fully completed and the $75 application fee has been paid (the fee no longer applies if you have received one of the fee-waivers mentioned at the top of this page). All incomplete applications and applications from international students who are not cleared for admission will be withdrawn by June 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. Applicants who do not register for the semester for which they are admitted will also have their admission cancelled.

Information and resources required in the application include:

Statement of purpose
Three letters of recommendation from an official institutional email address submitted electronically through the application
Official original transcripts from all colleges or universities—and English translations for those in other languages—previously attended submitted through the application
Resume/CV
*Optional* GRE general test scores using the institution code 5814 and leaving at least 2-4 weeks for receipt

Regardless of your citizenship status, students whose native language is not English and who do not hold a degree from an institution in the U.S. or another English-speaking country are also required to submit proof of English proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Application Instructions

Applications are submitted online via the Graduate School website. When creating your application account, ensure that your name matches the name listed on your official, government-issued identification.

When you are filling out the online application you will see several tabs that ask for different information—detailed below. Sections not listed here are not required for a complete application.

After responding to all required and relevant items, you may submit your application.

Educational Intent

College/School: A. James Clark School of Engineering - Research Programs
Program of Study: Mechanical Engineering (ENME) or Reliability Engineering (ENRE)
Degree: M.S. or Ph.D.

Previous Education

Enter your cumulative GPA for all schools attended as listed on your transcript. International students should not convert their GPA to the 4.0 scale, instead selecting the appropriate grading scale.

Upload Requirements

Upload your statement of purpose and resume/CV under items #1 and 2, respectively. Disregard all other items in this section.

Recommendations

Add a minimum of three recommendation providers. Once entered, the system will send an automatic notification email to the recommenders with instructions on how to electronically submit a letter of recommendation. This process can begin prior to submission of the application.

We recommend that you contact these individuals in advance to ensure the provider will be wiling to write a letter of recommendation.

Application Review Process

While final admission decisions are made by the Graduate School, the Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty review all completed applications.

Applicants are notified of the Graduate School’s final decision on a rolling basis through their online application portal. If you submitted a complete application before the deadline, you can expect to receive a notification of admission or rejection between February and May for the fall semester and September and November for the spring semester. We cannot answer questions regarding admission status via email or phone, but will direct applicants to their application portal.

Questions?

If you need to make any changes after you have submitted the application, contact gradappsupport@umd.edu.
For any technical difficulties with the online application, contact the Graduate School at gradappsupport@umd.edu.
To request a deferment or term change, contact mpetry@umd.edu.
For all other questions, contact mpetry@umd.edu.

Admissions | Department of Mechanical Engineering (2024)

FAQs

Why did you choose mechanical engineering best answer? ›

I chose Mechanical Engineering as my career because, since childhood, I was very fond of machines and how they work. I love researching machines and have done well during my college days, because of which I got an excellent internship opportunity that I just completed.

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Mechanical engineers greatly impact the world, using math and science to make efficiency possible. To be considered an excellent mechanical engineer, you must have an outstanding GPA. 3.0–3.5 is considered a good GPA for mechanical engineering students.

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Mechanical engineering degrees are challenging, and you can expect to take at least 17 credit hours of courses a semester. During the fall and spring semesters of your first and second year, expect to take the following general education courses: Geometry. Calculus One and Two.

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The most common statistic cited around the attrition rate for engineering students is that roughly 50 percent change majors or drop out before graduation.

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I also wanted my work to produce something tangible and to have outcomes that could be observed and help to solve problems. Engineering seemed like the best way to combine the fundamentally logical and analytical aspects of mathematics I loved while maintaining a firm grasp on reality and real-life solutions.

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1. **Undergraduate Level:** For most engineering careers, having a GPA in the range of 3.0 to 3.5 or higher is considered good. This range is competitive enough to be considered for many entry-level engineering positions.

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How to Become a Mechanical Engineer. Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. All states and the District of Columbia require mechanical engineers who sell services to the public to be licensed.

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There are many mechanical engineering math requirements, as the field of mechanical engineering requires a strong math foundation.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mechanical engineering field is expected to grow 7% by 2030, creating close to 30,000 jobs. That's about average for all occupations. However, mechanical engineering careers offer much higher salaries than other non-STEM occupations.

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The shortage of skilled workers and engineers has reached a historic peak, and mechanical and plant engineering companies in particular are suffering from this shortage: According to current surveys* by the industry association VDMA, only one in three companies can now fill their vacant engineering positions as planned ...

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Mechanical engineering is a general field that encompasses all forms of technology, which is something that may always expand into newer territories. Studying this knowledge may give you the opportunity to continue to broaden your knowledge and skill set by always offering something new to learn.

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Mechanical engineers work across sectors as broad as air conditioning and heating systems to biomechanics and robotics. High demand: Mechanical engineers are in high demand across multiple industries. This means they enjoy excellent job stability, as well as good job prospects and excellent salaries.

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Mechanical engineering captivates me with its diverse applications across numerous industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, and robotics. This versatility allows mechanical engineers to shape many facets of the modern world, from designing consumer products to developing sophisticated machinery.

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Problem-Solving Thrill: I find motivation in the excitement of solving complex problems. 3. Continuous Growth: I'm motivated by the opportunity to continuously learn and grow in my field. The ever-evolving nature of mechanical engineering inspires me to stay updated with new technology 4.

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