Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where should I send the application? Should it be sent directly to the Chemistry Department?

A: Domestic candidates should send their completed application directly to the Chemistry Department. The Graduate Recruiting Committee will forward it to the Graduate Admission Office after evaluation. International students should send the completed application packet directly to the Graduate Admissions Office, unless we specifically ask you to do otherwise. In addition, Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not send any GRE or TOEFL score reports directly to the Chemistry Department.

Q: By when must I submit my application ?

A: If you are applying for financial aid within the full-time Ph.D. program, you should have your complete application with us by the end of January of the calendar year in which you plan to enter the program in Fall. Other applicants should submit no later than a month prior to the quarter they intend to enter the program. See the Drexel Calendar (University City main campus) at http://www.drexel.edu/src/calendar.asp.

Q: What type of financial aid (fellowships, etc.) is available at Drexel?

A: Stipend support in the form of Teaching Assistantships (T/A) is awarded on a competitive basis. The standards for receiving stipend support are considerably higher than those for acceptance into the graduate program. Please note that such stipend support is available only to students in the Ph.D. program.

Stipend support as a Research Assistant may be negotiated with the research advisor. These stipends are dependent on the availability of funds and other factors. Graduate students are rarely granted research assistantships before their second year of study.

Q. Do you require GRE scores?

A: Domestic students who are applying for any type of financial aid must submit the general (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical) GRE scores. All international students must submit their GRE scores.

Q. Is there an English language requirement for admission or financial aid?

A: If you are not a "native English speaker", then you need to submit a TOEFL score of at least 235 (2004 scale) to be acceptable for the program. To be considered for a Teaching Assistantship, you should have a TOEFL of at least 255.

Q: Do I have to pay the application fee?

A: The application fee is waived if you apply on-line through the University website, at http://www.drexel.edu/em/grad/apply/.

Q: Can I enter the Graduate Program in terms other than Fall Quarter?

A: In principle, you can enter during any term (quarter). However, if you are applying for financial aid, you may be limited by the calendar. In particular, international applicants receiving Teaching Assistantship support are required to be on campus by the beginning of August and start classes in the Fall quarter.

Q: How do I respond the question in the application packet about "financial resources and sponsorship to aid studies."

A: The applicant should indicate any external scholarship if they have one, but this is not a requirement for admission. Indeed, few applicants have an external scholarship. On the other hand, an external scholarship can enhance the strength of the application.

For international applicants:

Q: Is there any minimum requirement for scores on the GRE's?

A: For acceptance into the program and to be competitive for a stipend an international applicant needs: GRE Verbal > 540; GRE Quantitative > 700; GRE Analytical > 3.5.

Q. Is the TOEFL the only measure of English communication skills that is required?

A: For admission, it is. For potential financial aid awardees, we require additional evaluations, such as a TSE (Test of Spoken English) or a telephone interview.

Q: What is this DS-2019 form mentioned in the application packet?

A: It's important for the admissions process to know whether you have external scholarship or family/personal financial support. If you have neither, then you need not submit the DS-2019 until after you’ve been accepted.

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