UB - University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply and obtain the required application and forms?

• The Applicant's Cover Sheet with a complete list of required materials is available here.
• The CSE online application is available here.
• The Letter of Recommendation Form (for submission of hard copy letters) is available here.
• The Area Selection Form is available here OR complete the "Curricular Interest" section inside the online application.

When can I submit an online application for the CSE Graduate Program?

Every year, the online application system is activated by June 15 and deactivated by January 1.

Do you have an application for financial aid and/or assistantship positions in your department?

No, the Graduate Admissions Committee determines a financial award decision based upon an applicant's complete application packet.

Do you admit students for the spring semester?

Only current UB or alumni students are eligible for spring admission. If you qualify, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office.

What are the application deadlines?

The completed online application and supporting materials deadlines are as follows:

Fall semester

Supporting materials must be POSTMARKED by January 1, 2012.

• deadline for online application: January 1, 2012
• deadline for supporting materials: January 1, 2012 (postmark)

Spring semester (by prior approval only from the Director of Graduate Admissions)

• deadline for online application: November 1, 2011
• deadline for supporting materials: November 15, 2011

Failure to comply with the above deadline dates could result in an application not being processed for admission.

What are the university and department codes for ETS?

• UB institution code: 2925
• GRE department code: 0402
• TOEFL department code: 78

Information and arrangements to take the exam(s) can be made by contacting the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at http://www.ets.org.

What preparation in computer science and related fields is required for admission into the graduate program?

Applicants are expected to have successfully completed coursework in computer science and math or logic equivalent to the following:

• a two-semester undergraduate introductory sequence using a modern, structured, high-level programming language (such as C, C++, and/or Java) equivalent to our CSE 115-116
• a one-semester course in machine organization and assembly language (equivalent to our CSE 241)
• one data-structures course (equivalent to our CSE 250)
• one or two higher level courses, such as those offered to 3rd and 4th year undergraduates
• four semesters of undergraduate math or logic, including at least 1 one-semester course in which proving theorems were required (equivalent to our Math 141-142, Math/CSE 191, and a higher level math course)

Although an undergraduate degree (bachelor's or four-year equivalent) is required for admission, an undergraduate degree in computer science is not required.

You can find descriptions of the courses cited above on our website listed underUndergraduate Academics in the Courses section.

Do you admit an applicant without a master's degree directly into your Ph.D. program?

In general, we expect our Ph.D. applicants to have a master's degree; however, truly outstanding applicants could be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program without an MS degree.

If I am already enrolled in a master's program at another university, how can I enter into your Ph.D. program?

You must submit an online application with all the required supporting materials by the specified deadline.

If I intend to earn a Ph.D., should I say so in my application?

Yes, we need to know. Our admission decisions are based on how well your qualifications match your ultimate graduate program plans. Please address this in your Statement of Purpose.

Does the department support all of its Ph.D. students?

It is our intention to support all the Ph.D. students, if funding is available.

If I have a bachelor's degree only, what is the process to be admitted into the Ph.D. program?

Under normal circumstance, an applicant with a bachelor's degree only is admitted to the master's program first. Upon completion of and receiving good grades in the courses designated for the Ph.D. qualifying process (refer to the CSE Graduate Student Handbook, page 6), MS students may submit their application and required supporting materials to the Graduate Admissions Office for consideration into our Ph.D. program.

What criteria does the Graduate Admissions Committee use during evaluations?

We take the following "basic" elements into consideration when we evaluate applications for admission and financial aid:

• General GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytic). Even though we do not put a hard-line on the minimum score, we expect applicants to score around 1250/1600 and 4.0/6.0. The average score of our recently admitted applicants is about 1300/1600 and 4.0/6.0. The GRE Subject Test in computer science is recommended, but not required.
• TOEFL scores (for international applicants). The university minimum requirement is 79 iBT or 550 PBT.
• Grades in relevant coursework in computer science, math, logic, and engineering at the undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate levels (you will be required to provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended).
• A personal statement (statement of purpose) explaining why you are interested in graduate study in computer science and engineering at the University at Buffalo.
• At least three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members at your college/university who know you well.
• Other elements, such as research experience and publications, could also be taken into consideration.

I am enrolled in a graduate program at another university. Can I transfer credits when I join your program?

Yes, you may transfer part of your graduate credits pending approval by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate School. Refer to the CSE Graduate Student Handbook, page 12, for details.

I am an international student currently studying within the US. Can the TOEFL/IELTS exam requirement be waived?

The Graduate School determines if a student's English requirement can be waived (or deferred by taking a test upon arrival). The CSE department cannot grant you a waiver. If you are offered admission, the CSE department can submit a petition to the Graduate School to request a waiver. You must submit a photocopy of your previous TOEFL/IELTS scores with your wavier request along with your supporting application materials. Refer to the Graduate School's International Student Admissions Policy website.

I am an international applicant and earned a degree from a US institute. Can the TOEFL exam requirement be waived?

If you receive a degree from an institute within the U.S. prior to joining our program without a lapse in studies, the TOEFL exam can be waived by the Graduate School. The department can submit a petition to the Graduate School to request a waiver, if you are offered admission. Refer to the Graduate School's International Student Admissions Policy website.

I have to enter my grades and GPA inside the application, however, my school does not use the same grading scale as UB. What should I enter in the academic section?

Please enter the grades as shown on your transcript(s). We will evaluate your grades and GPA (grade point average) based upon a grading conversion scale.

Do I have to send in the International Applicant's Financial Form (IAFF) with a bank statement with all of my supporting materials?

If you cannot provide the financial documents at the time of applying, you may send the documents after a decision has been made on your proposed admission; however, your admissions process could be delayed and it may jeopardize your visa process.

Do individual faculty members offer any financial assistantships?

No, offers of financial funding are made by the department's Graduate Admissions Committee (GAC). For this reason, we ask that applicants do not write to individual faculty members requesting financial assistance.

May I send a personal letter to a faculty member I wish to work with?

If there are faculty members you are especially interested in working with, you certainly should feel free to correspond with them about your specific interest. We would discourage you from sending generic personal letters and resumes prior to submitting an application. Unless you have previously corresponded with one of our faculty members, sending faculty such letters and resumes could be ignored. We encourage you to include your research interest information within your application packet.

Where can I learn about your faculty and their research interests?

In this website's Faculty and Research Areas sections.