Thank you for your interest in the on-campus UT Computer Science graduate program!

Please note: This FAQ is for the on-campus master’s options. Please see the Computer & Data Science Online FAQ for questions tailored to the online master’s programs.

These FAQs are only meant to assist you with the admissions process. If you have additional questions regarding the cost of attendance, programs offered, etc., please visit our Prospective Students page.

Our application for Fall admission to our PhD and on-campus Masters programs will open October 15. We only admit for Fall semesters for our on-campus PhD and MS programs. We do not accept applications after the deadline, December 15. Please read the application instructions carefully and begin the application as soon as possible to give yourself ample time to complete the whole application process

We do not evaluate applications on a rolling basis. An application is evaluated on its own merits and in comparison to all the applications for a given year. We are unable to provide individual feedback or monitor individual applications. Review typically begins in late December, with decisions made by early spring. We expect to let students who are admitted to the PhD program know that they have been admitted by February. Admitted Master's students will be notified by the end of March, though we hope to inform them sooner if we can.  All admission decisions are emailed.

Admissions

Do you offer meetings, tours, information sessions, etc?

The UTCS graduate office is unable to offer meetings, information sessions or tours to prospective students. Please see the Visit Us page for information on tours available, including self-guided and virtual tours.

If you'd like to tour campus but can’t make it to the Visitor Center—or if you’d like a sneak peak—take advantage of one of these offerings:

Self-Guided Tour (PDF)
40 Acres Self-Guided Tour (Foursquare)
Diversity Tour (PDF)
Virtual Tour

[Permalink]

I made an error on my ApplyTexas application. What do I do?

It's essential that students carefully read and complete their ApplyTexas applications with accurate information. Students should be sure to use a reliable contact email as they should expect to receive important updates, reminders, and notifications at the provided email address throughout the admissions process. Changes cannot be made to your ApplyTexas application after it has been submitted, but you may update your CS Department Supplement materials at any time. Students can submit updates to their contact information in MyStatus and via the required UTCS Supplemental application, but the UTCS graduate office is unable to make changes on behalf of students and is unable to assist with issues with the ApplyTexas application.

Students who have made larger errors on their application or who have submitted applications to the wrong program may need to work with GIAC and/or ApplyTexas to delete the application and submit a new application for the correct program. Please be sure that you include the correct ApplyTexas application ID on your required UTCS Supplemental application. Our office is unable to assist with editing or deleting applications on Apply Texas and we cannot process refunds for application fees, but the appropriate contact at GIAC may be able to assist: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/contact.
 

[Permalink]

I'm interested in a Diversity Course Waiver/Transfer Credit. What should I do?

We are unable to provide individual feedback for applicants. Prospective students who believe they may be eligible may review the appropriate degree requirements page that include guidelines on our course transfer and waiver policies. For the doctoral program, please see: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate/phd-program/degree-requirements and the MSCS program, please see: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/masters-program/coursework-option.

Course transfer/waivers petitions are only processed for admitted students during a GSC (Graduate Studies Committee) meeting. The graduate office will send around a call for petitions early in the Fall semester with instructions prior to the Fall GSC meeting. Transfers and waivers are only processed after petitions are reviewed by the UTCS GSC and are solely determined at the discretion of the UTCS GSC.

Since all petitions are subject to approval by the UTCS GSC, prospective students should carefully review the degree requirements pages to determine if they are eligible to petition for a course waiver or transfer credit. Prospective students seeking to be proactive may note that all current and previous coursework must be submitted via their official application for admission and verified by GIAC. Additionally, prospective students may begin collecting relevant materials such as course syllabi, explanations of course numbering systems, etc., so that those materials are easily available. Admitted students should wait until the call for petitions is sent out in their first Fall semester to begin the process.

[Permalink]

When will the Fall application cycle open for the in-person program?

The Fall application cycle will open for the in-person program on October 15. Please note: the CS Department only accepts Fall applications for our on-campus programs. We do not accept spring or summer applications.

Our Master of Computer Science Online program, however, does accept spring applications. You can find more information about applying to the online program at https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/masters-program/msonline. If you have questions regarding the online program, please email msonline@cs.utexas.edu.

[Permalink]

How do I apply?

Please use this checklist to ensure that you are submitting all the materials necessary. Note: For application to the UT Computer Science graduate program, you are required to submit materials via both the ApplyTexas and the CS Department Supplement applications.

1) Submit via https://goapplytexas.org:

  • Application for admission
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts (1) – Within 48 hours of the submission of your application, you will receive an email from the Graduate and International Admissions Center directing you to the MyStatus page where you will be asked to upload your transcripts.  Please do not mail these credentials.  For additional information regarding the submission of transcripts to UT-Austin, please see https://gradschool.utexas.edu/how-to-apply 
  • Proof of Submission of Department Application: When you complete and submit your CS Department Supplement (outlined in Step 2) print the final submission page to a PDF and return to your MyStatus page to upload this as proof that you completed the department Supplement. 

2) Submit via CS Department Supplement:

  • Statement of purpose - Approximately 2 pages describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study and academic and professional interests and goals. This may include events/experiences that prepared you for CS graduate study and how your interests complement the department's faculty and research.
  • Transcripts (2) - The department will not view the transcripts you upload to the MyStatus page; you must provide us with separate copies through the CS Department Supplement.
  • Three letters of reference – You must supply your references’ names and email addresses to the CS Department Supplement [this information is not downloaded from ApplyTexas]. After you provide their contact information, emails will be sent to your references with instructions on how to upload their letters. Letters should emphasize research experience and academic achievements, particularly in computer science. Your references should submit their letters by December 20 (17:00 CST) for full consideration.
  • GRE (optional for Fall 2024)* and (international students only) TOEFL or IELTS scores
  • Optional: CV and up to three publications. CV should also include a scan of any aid award letter that has award details such as NSF, Fulbright, etc.

3) An official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional for Fall 2024). Please request that ETS send official test scores to UT-Austin. (UT-Austin code 6882 – you do not need a departmental code).

4) An official score report for the TOEFL or IELTS (international students only). Scores must be sent to the university by the testing agency. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) institution code for the TOEFL is 6882. It is not necessary to use a department code. To fulfill the requirement with scores from the IELTS, please use the IELTS electronic score delivery service to send your scores to the “University of Texas at Austin” account.

We do not evaluate applications on a rolling basis. An application is evaluated on its own merits and in comparison to all the applications for a given year. Review typically begins in late December, with decisions made by early spring.

*As a temporary accommodation in response to COVID-19, the GRE requirement will be waived for all applicants for the Fall 2024 semester. Students may continue to submit official GRE scores for consideration, but they will not be required to do so. GRE scores when provided, will continue to serve as just one of the many factors considered in our review of a student’s application. Please take into consideration that providing GRE scores can bolster your application if there are aspects of your application that you feel may be not as competitive as others. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us and we can better assist you. Please allow up to 72 hours after submitting your application for the GRE to be removed from the “To-Do” items on your MyStatus page.

[Permalink]

What are the deadlines for the required admissions applications at The University of Texas at Austin?

  • Your ApplyTexas application and CS Supplement materials must be submitted no later than December 15 (23:59 CST).
  • Letters of recommendation should be received by December 20 (17:00 CST) for full consideration.
[Permalink]

What documents do I need to submit for my application?

The following items are required for application to the CS Graduate Program.  Please use this checklist to ensure that you are submitting all of the materials necessary.

*As a temporary accommodation in response to COVID-19, the GRE requirement will be waived for all applicants for the Fall 2024 semester. Students may continue to submit official GRE scores for consideration, but they will not be required to do so. GRE scores when provided, will continue to serve as just one of the many factors considered in our review of a student’s application. Please take into consideration that providing GRE scores can bolster your application if there are aspects of your application that you feel may be not as competitive as others. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us and we can better assist you. Please allow up to 72 hours after submitting your application for the GRE to be removed from the “To-Do” items on your MyStatus page.

**International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or an institution in a qualifying countryThe requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from a similar institution.

[Permalink]

Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible for admission consideration, applicants must meet the Graduate School's minimum requirements.

Bachelor's Degree

The Graduate School requires applicants to have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution.

For admission to the UT Computer Science graduate program, a previous CS degree is helpful but not required.

Upper-division GPA of 3.0 or higher

A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a comparable GPA in upper-division work—junior- and senior-level courses—and in any graduate work already completed is required.

Applicants admitted to the UT Computer Science graduate program usually have shown their skills in CS by achieving a better than average GPA in their CS courses.

Official Test Scores (GRE, TOEFL/IELTS)

  •  GRE General Test scores (optional for Fall 2024)*
    • There is no minimum GRE test score, however applicants admitted to the UT Computer Science graduate program usually have high quantitative GRE scores and a math background that includes study through some discrete math.
  •  TOEFL or IELTS score for international applicants**
    • The minimum scores considered acceptable for admission by the Graduate School are:
      • TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT)
      • IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination

*As a temporary accommodation in response to COVID-19, the GRE requirement will be waived for all applicants for the Fall 2024 semester. Students may continue to submit official GRE scores for consideration, but they will not be required to do so. GRE scores when provided, will continue to serve as just one of the many factors considered in our review of a student’s application. Please take into consideration that providing GRE scores can bolster your application if there are aspects of your application that you feel may be not as competitive as others. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us and we can better assist you.

**International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or an institution in a qualifying countryThe requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from a similar institution.

[Permalink]

Do I need a degree in Computer Science to be admitted to the department?

While not required, a previous CS bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended since admission is very competitive. Successful applicants usually have an undergraduate degree in CS or a closely related area such as Electrical and Computer Engineering. Use of computers at work or some experience programming are not considered to be equivalent to a CS degree and courses.

For students who do not possess a bachelor's degree in CS, the following UTCS undergraduate courses, or equivalent, are required as background for our graduate degrees. They are not prerequisites for admission, however, and can be satisfied after admission to the program, either through enrolling in the course or taking an exam to demonstrate your knowledge:

Discrete Math for Computer Science (CS 311)
Introduction to Programming (CS 312)
Data Structures (CS 314)
Algorithms and Complexity (CS 331)
Computer Organization and Architecture (CS 429)
Principles of Computer Systems (CS 439)

Please see the undergraduate course descriptions for more information about the material covered in these courses. Syllabi for most courses are posted online by the professor and can be found with a quick web search. We do not advise prospective students on specific coursework to take outside of UT-Austin. For prospective students who are seeking to enhance their application by completing background courses prior to applying, we recommend enrolling in a similar course at your local university. Online coursework is generally not considered sufficient to clear the background requirements for our on-campus program but can be used to gain CS experience that would be considered when our committee reviews your application. You may include online courses you’ve taken on your CV. 

[Permalink]

May I apply to both the PhD and Master's programs?

Applicants may only apply to one program.

[Permalink]

May I apply for the master's program if I have an equivalent level of degree in Computer Science or a closely related field?

No. The master's admissions committee will not admit a student with a degree that is closely related to our MSCS.  You may apply for the PhD program instead.

[Permalink]

Does the CS Department accept spring or summer applications?

No, the CS Department only accepts Fall applications for our on-campus programs.

Our Master of Computer Science Online program, however, does accept spring applications. You can find more information about applying to the online program at https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/masters-program/msonline. Questions regarding the online program? Please email msonline@cs.utexas.edu.

[Permalink]

I am a current or former UT-Austin graduate student from another department. May I apply to the CS graduate program?

Yes - Current and former graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin who wish to change majors to the CS Department may apply during the regular admissions season.

Please follow the instructions for requesting a change of major: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/change-of-graduate.... Some important notes:

  • You should use the US Graduate Application form in ApplyTexas even if you aren’t a US citizen or permanent resident.
  • You will be automaticaly billed via MyStatus for your UT Austin transcript. Do not request an official paper transcript from the Office of the Registrar directly.
  • You must also submit the required CS Department Supplement materials. All application deadlines apply. See https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate/prospective-students/apply for full application instructions.
[Permalink]

What criteria are used to evaluate students for admission to the department?

The main criteria used to evaluate applicants for graduate study in CS are grades, test scores, computer science background, letters of reference, and a statement of purpose. We encourage applicants to provide a resume and publications (if any). Applications are evaluated holistically, and admissions decisions are made based on the pool of applicants for a given year.

No one factor will affect admission, but a strong applicant to our program might have:
GRE-Q 166 or more and GRE-V 160 or more;
GPA 3.5 or more from a good university; 
Mostly A's in Math and upper CS courses such as Operating Systems, Compilers, Networks, Algorithms, AI, Architecture; 
Internship at a prestigious lab, interesting research projects, paper(s);
Strong letters, especially from research supervisor or professors.

While not required, a previous CS bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended since admission is very competitive. Successful applicants usually have an undergraduate degree in CS or a closely related area such as Electrical and Computer Engineering. Applicants admitted to the Texas Computer Science graduate program usually have shown their skills in CS by achieving a better than average GPA in their CS courses. For the application, you will be asked to provide transcripts. Any additional experience may be included in your statement of purpose or CV. Use of computers at work or some experience programming are not considered to be equivalent to a CS degree and courses.

[Permalink]

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable grade point average in upper-division work (junior- and senior-level courses) and in any graduate work already completed is required. Applicants admitted to the UT Computer Science graduate program usually have shown their skills in CS by achieving a better than average GPA in their CS courses.

If your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement—or if you feel that your GPA is not a valid indicator of your ability— you may explain your concerns in your statement of purpose.

[Permalink]

How do I transfer to UTCS from another graduate program?

Students hoping to transfer to the on-campus UTCS graduate program must apply into the program during the regular admissions period and follow the same deadlines and requirements as all other prospective students. Please see the Apply page for instructions.

[Permalink]

I applied last year – do I need to resubmit my GRE/TOEFL scores?

The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) typically keeps applicants' official test scores on file for a year. After you submit your application, if the scores are still on file you will see them posted to your MyStatus page  https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/adm/mystatus/. If you have further questions about your official GRE/TOEFL scores, please contact GIAC https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/contact.

[Permalink]

Are there minimum GRE scores required for admission and can I submit my GRE scores after the deadline?

There is no minimum GRE test score, however applicants admitted to the CS graduate program usually have high quantitative GRE scores and a math background that includes study through some discrete math. If you feel that your test scores are not valid indicators of your ability, you should explain your concerns in your statement of purpose.

As a temporary accommodation in response to COVID-19, the GRE requirement will be waived for all applicants for the Fall 2024 semester. Students may continue to submit official GRE scores for consideration, but they will not be required to do so. GRE scores when provided, will continue to serve as just one of the many factors considered in our review of a student’s application. Please take into consideration that providing GRE scores can bolster your application if there are aspects of your application that you feel may be not as competitive as others. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us and we can better assist you. Please allow up to 72 hours after submitting your application for the GRE to be removed from the “To-Do” items on your MyStatus page.

[Permalink]

Are there minimum TOEFL/IELTS scores and can I submit my scores after the deadline?

The minimum scores considered acceptable for admission by the Graduate School are:

  • TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT)
  • IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination

Please see https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/international-stud... for additional information.**

For full consideration, you must report your scores to the CS Department Supplement by the application deadline: December 15 (23:59 CST)

In addition to self-reporting your scores to the CS Department Supplement, you must request that the testing agency send an official score report to UT-Austin. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) institution code for UT Austin is 6882. There is no institutional code for the IELTS examination. To fulfill the requirement with scores from the IELTS, please use the IELTS electronic score delivery service to send your scores to the “University of Texas at Austin” account.

These scores will be uploaded to your MyStatus page and will be available for viewing by the admissions committee. Official score reports may arrive to UT-Austin after the Dec. 15 deadline, however please note that late scores may delay the final review of your application. If you have questions about the receipt of your official TOEFL/IELTS scores, please contact the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) at giatest@austin.utexas.edu.

**International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying countryThe requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from a similar institution.

[Permalink]

Can I waive the TOEFL/IELTS?

International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying country.The requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from a similar institution.

If you have further questions regarding the TOEFL/IELTS requirement or waivers, please email giatest@austin.utexas.edu.
 

[Permalink]

Where should ETS send my test scores?

For GRE and TOEFL scores, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) institution code for UT-Austin is 6882. It is not necessary to use a department code.

There is no institutional code for the IELTS examination. To fulfill the requirement with scores from the IELTS, please use the IELTS electronic score delivery service to send your scores to the “University of Texas at Austin” account.

[Permalink]

Can I submit expired scores?

GRE scores must be valid at the time an applicant applies, however expired TOEFL scores are typically accepted at the discretion of the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC); after submitting your application, you may email your expired TOEFL score report to giatest@austin.utexas.edu for their review. Please include your EID in your message.

[Permalink]

What are the requirements for scanning/uploading my transcripts to the CS Department Supplement?

  • Transcript must be official
  • English translations required
  • Obliterate social security numbers
  • Include 1 scan of the grading information ("transcript key") if it isn't on the front of the transcript.
  • May submit ‘mark sheets’ if your university does not provide transcripts.
  • Must have proof of degree on transcript or on separate page.  If not available at time of application this will be requested later if you are admitted.
  • Do not scan back of document to show Official stamps.
  • Shrink images to <= 5Mb
  • Check your scan before uploading. Is it legible?
[Permalink]

Can I update my transcripts, CV, publications, etc. after the deadline?

You may update your transcript by logging into the CS Department Supplement: http://apply.cs.utexas.edu/grad/. Late information may not be included in our initial review but will be available to our review committee during their deliberations. 

Once the supplement is closed (Feb. 1), we will no longer accept updates to application materials.
 

[Permalink]

Do I need to submit a foreign credential evaluation from WES or another organization?

No, a foreign credential evaluation is not required. If a transcript is written in a language other than English, a complete and official English translation must be uploaded together with the original transcript.

[Permalink]

Where do I find my ApplyTexas ID#?

The ApplyTexas ID refers to your 10-digit application ID, which was automatically assigned when you first saved your ApplyTexas application. See image. If you log into the ApplyTexas site, you will see it displayed with your application.

[Permalink]

Do I select that I am applying into a two year institution or a four-year institution on the ApplyTexas application?

UT Austin is a four year institution. You will not find the application unless you select "four-year institution" on your ApplyTexas application, even if you expect to complete the degree in two years.

[Permalink]

What are the general guidelines for the statement of purpose?

The statement of purpose should be approximately 2 pages describing the applicant's reasons for pursuing graduate study as well as their academic and professional interests and goals. This may include events/experiences that prepared you for CS graduate study and how your interests complement the department's faculty and research. While there are no fixed formatting requirements, students should use their best judgement when making editorial decisions such as the font, font size, etc., of their statement of purpose.

[Permalink]

What are the general guidelines for letters of reference?

Who should I pick as my recommenders? Can I have professional references?

Three letters of reference are required, but you may provide up to 5 references. Professional references are accepted. Your letter-writers should be able to speak to your CS abilities and should emphasize research experience and academic achievements, particularly in computer science.

Will letter writers receive a duplicate request from ApplyTexas?

You may submit your recommenders’ contact information to both sites - the information submitted to the ApplyTexas site will be collected for the University’s records, however your recommenders are only contacted via the information you provided to the CS supplement site. They will not receive a duplicate request from ApplyTexas.

How do I check the status of my letters? My letter writers haven’t received requests yet.

Recommenders must upload their letters to an online portal; submission instructions will be emailed to your recommenders after you provide their contact information to the CS Department Supplement. An initial email and a reminder are sent automatically. Some email systems filter our email requests as spam/junk. Please ask your letter writers to set any spam/junk filters to receive email from csadmis@cs.utexas.edu

You may view the status of your letters or queue a new request to be sent by logging in at here and clicking “REVIEW MY INFO"

Our system sends out the letter requests once a day in an overnight batch - “Request Pending” means that the letter request will be sent out in the next batch. “We asked for a letter” means that a letter request was emailed to the recommender. Once your recommender has submitted their letter, you will see it indicated under their name that the letter has been received.

Your CS supplement does not need to be “submitted” in order for your recommenders to be contacted, and you may submit your application before all of your recommendations have arrived.

How do I update my list of recommenders?

You may update your recommenders by logging in at http://apply.cs.utexas.edu/grad. Updates cannot be made to the ApplyTexas application, but this will not cause any issues. We only use the information you provide to the CS Department Supplement to contact your recommenders.

When updating your recommenders, please *remove* the recommender you no longer wish contacted and then add the new recommender. Up to five letters of recommendation are permitted.

Can my recommenders submit letters through Interfolio?

We do not accept materials through Interfolio. Recommenders must upload their letters to an online portal; submission instructions will be emailed to them at the address you provide in your application. 

When are letters due? Will you still consider my application if a letter of recommendation is late or missing? Will you review late letters?

Letters of recommendation should be received by December 20 (17:00 CST) for full consideration, however we will continue to accept letters throughout the evaluation process. Your application will still be considered with late or missing letters of recommendation. Late information won't be included in our initial ranking process but will be available to our review committee during their deliberations. If the admissions committee has already reviewed your application before you make changes, it is not guaranteed that your application will be reviewed again. 

[Permalink]

What is the cost of attendance?

Full-time (9-hour) Tuition Rate 2021-22

In-State: $4,608 per semester    Out-of-State: $9,081 per semester

For additional Cost of Attendance information, please visit https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/where-to-begin/cost-of-attendance

Successful applicants to the PhD program for fall semesters will be considered for doctoral fellowships during the application process. In addition to the doctoral fellowships, teaching assistantships and graduate research assistantships may be offered to PhD students for up to five academic years. Most PhD students obtain a graduate research assistantship by the second or third year of the program, working under a research supervisor. Please see the financial information page for more information about funding available for students in the PhD program.

We do not offer financial assistance with admission to the master's program. Teaching and research positions are sometimes available; however, students who apply to the master's program should be prepared to finance their study here. A summer internship between years is often available through one of the companies who are Friends of Computer Science (FoCS). These internships help our master's students fund their study and provide valuable professional experience.

[Permalink]

How long does the master’s program take to complete? What financial aid, scholarships, funding, etc. are offered?

Our Master's degree takes approximately two years to complete or may be completed in one and a half years if you decide to take an additional course in one of the semesters you are here. More information on our program options can be found at: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/masters-program

 

Financial Information:
 

Tuition and Cost of Attendance information is available on our Prospective Student page.

We do not offer financial assistance with admission to the Master's program. Teaching and research positions are sometimes available; however, students who accept our offer should be prepared to finance their study here. A summer internship between years is often available through one of the companies who participate in our Friends of Computer Science (FoCS) program. You can view the current list on the FoCS partners page.

These internships often help our Master's students fund their study and provide valuable professional experience.

[Permalink]

Do you offer fee waivers?

Information regarding application fee waivers may be found at here. Since the University has a limited amount of money to support the funding of fee waivers, we are unable to waive the application fee for international applicants. We cannot defer application fees for either U.S. or International applicants. If you have further questions regarding the application fee waiver, please reach out to Shannon Neuse, whose information may be found through the previous link.

[Permalink]

Do I need to contact faculty before applying to the PhD program?

If you are considering applying to the PhD program, we encourage you to visit our research page. There you will be able to get an overview of the range of projects that you might want to join if you come to UT. When applying to our PhD program, you will have an opportunity to indicate on the application form your areas of interest and which professors you are interested in working with. Applicants are not required to contact faculty outside of the application; many professors are not be able to respond to prospective student inquiries and some professors ask that prospective students do not contact them directly. I recommend that you start by checking out their homepages, which you can access on the UTCS Faculty page.

For more information regarding our programs, application process, and eligibility criteria, please visit our Prospective Students page and FAQ.

[Permalink]

How do I check the status of my Application?

You have two status check sites:

1. CS Department Supplement http://apply.cs.utexas.edu/grad/. Here, you can check whether you have submitted all of the required application items and send reminders to your references. Your application must be complete here for the admissions committee to review your application.

2. GIAC MyStatus: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/adm/mystatus/. This is the status check site for the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC). GIAC verifies application information, test scores, residency and admissions GPA calculations/equivalencies. If you have questions about the information your MyStatus page, please contact GIAC https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/contact.

 

[Permalink]

I went to 3 undergraduate institutions. Should I upload transcripts for all of them?

 The CS department supplement only allows for 2 undergraduate institutions to be uploaded.  If you have attended more than 2 undergraduate institutions, please use the first slot to upload your transcript from the university that has/will award(ed) your undergraduate degree. For the 2nd slot, you may upload your transcript for the coursework you think best reflects your CS abilities.

Transcripts for all universities you’ve attended should be uploaded separately to the MyStatus page.

[Permalink]

Can I submit my undergraduate/master’s thesis as a publication?

Our admissions committee will give more weight to publications that appear in internationally recognized conferences and academic journals. If you are unsure of whether to include your publication in your application, I recommend reaching out to your academic advisor for guidance.

[Permalink]

Can I submit a publication that is still under review?

Our admissions committee will give more weight to a paper that has been published. If you do upload the paper, please be sure to make it clear that the paper is under review (to not cause confusion when the admissions committee reviews your materials).

[Permalink]

Can I report internship experience for my employment history in ApplyTexas?

You may enter internship information in the employment history section. The information submitted to the ApplyTexas site will be collected for the University’s records, however our admissions committee will review work history on the CV you provide to the CS Department Supplement, so be sure to also provide us with your CV if you would like your internship experience considered.

[Permalink]

Do you accept applications after the deadline? If I forget to submit the required CS Supplemental application, will my application still be reviewed?

Our application deadline is firm. As noted in our application instructions, the CS Department Supplement is a required part of the application process. Once the deadline has passed, so if you have not already created an account on our CS Supplemental Application site before December 15, then your application cannot be considered by our committee.

The application process may take several weeks to complete; you should apply well in advance of the deadline to ensure adequate time to submit all required items before the December 15 deadline to the on-campus UTCS graduate program.

Please note that applications can take up to 72 hours to load to the University of Texas at Austin system after submission of the application form. Students who do not begin the ApplyTexas application early enough to allow their application to load in the UT Austin system may not be able to complete the required UTCS Supplemental application, which will result in their application not being considered for admission.

[Permalink]

How long does it take to apply? How early should I begin the application?

The application process may take several weeks to complete; you should apply well in advance of the deadline to ensure adequate time to submit all required items before the December 15 deadline to the on-campus UTCS graduate program.

Please note that applications can take up to 72 hours to load to the University of Texas at Austin system after submission of the application form. Students who do not begin the ApplyTexas application early enough to allow their application to load to the UT Austin system may not be able to complete the required UTCS Supplemental application, which will result in their application not being considered for admission.
 

[Permalink]

Do you admit non-degree seekers? Can I enroll as a non-degree seeker?

Our program does not admit non-degree seeking students, so you would not be able to register for course credit; however in rare cases, some instructors will allow auditing of their courses. See this page for information on how to do that. You would need to contact the instructor directly to obtain their consent.

[Permalink]

Who can I contact if I have a question not answered in the FAQ?

The best contact for your question depends on where you are experiencing an issue.

  • For assistance with the ApplyTexas application, please see the Apply Texas FAQ.
  • For assistance with transcripts, test scores, or the information as it appears on your MyStatus page, please contact GIAC.
  • If you have additional questions related specifically to the UTCS on-campus graduate programs, please email UTCS On-Campus Graduate Admissions.
[Permalink]