General Admissions Requirements
The admission requirements spelled out below apply equally to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. The program that the applicant applies for is not, in and of itself, a factor in decisions regarding admission or financial support. Applicants should be aware, however, that both programs are competitive, and meeting the requirements does not guarantee admission. Successful applicants will, in general, have records considerably stronger in breadth and quality than these minimum standards suggest.
Applicants for graduate study in Applied Mathematics must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an institution comparable to the University of Colorado in applied mathematics, engineering, mathematics, or a natural science. Those with significant backgrounds in the physical sciences are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have strong foundations in mathematical course work and the mathematical maturity to understand basic concepts in pure and applied mathematics.
The applicant’s academic background should include several semesters of upper division courses of a mathematical nature beyond calculus, including advanced calculus and linear algebra. Additional recommended courses include partial differential equations, complex analysis, numerical analysis, and perhaps probability and statistics. These courses need not be in a mathematics department; however, they should require the mathematical maturity expected of a strong upper-level mathematics undergraduate.
It is also recommended that applicants have some computing experience. For example, a working knowledge of a scientific programming language such as FORTRAN, C, C++, or MATLAB is recommended, and experience with UNIX can be very helpful.
An exceptional student who has some deficiencies in his/her mathematics background also may be considered for admission. However, such students likely will need to take some upper-division undergraduate mathematics courses during their first year of graduate study. For details, see the Provisional Admission section of this supplement.
Application Deadlines
Graduate applications for a given academic year (fall semester admission) should be received from domestic applicants by December 15 of the preceding year and from foreign applicants by December 1 of the preceding year. Due to the structure of the graduate courses, spring semester admission to the graduate program generally is discouraged.
Applying for Admission
The online application system is the University’s preferred method of receiving application materials including applications, personal statements, supplementary application materials, and letters of recommendation. To submit an online application, create an account and start the application here: http://admissions.colorado.edu/graduate/apply
All supporting application materials should arrive prior to the application deadline. Any missing documents will delay application processing and may adversely affect an applicant’s chances for admission. Most items sent by mail require 10 to 14 days to reach the Office of Admissions and require additional time to be processed.
Please have one official transcript from each previous college and university attended sent to:
Graduate Committee
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Colorado Boulder
1111 Engineering Dr., ECOT 225
526 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0526
Domestic Applicants
Transcripts and other supplementary application materials (including official transcripts) should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions:
- Standard International Mail or Mail Sent within the U.S. (including USPS Priority and Express)
Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street, Suite A122
553 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553
- Overnight or Express Mail (DHL, FedEx, UPS)
Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street – 553 UCB
Bldg RL3, Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058
303-492-6301
Domestic applicants must have official transcripts sent directly from all colleges and universities attended to Graduate Admissions. Transcripts issued to students are considered unofficial.
All academic documents submitted to Graduate Admissions become the property of the University. Thus, any original documents or official transcripts received by the University cannot be returned to the applicant.
International Applicants
Transcripts and other supplementary application materials should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions/International:
- Standard International Mail or Mail Sent within the U.S. (including USPS Priority and Express)
Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street, Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065 USA
- Overnight or Express Mail (DHL, FedEx, UPS)
Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St. – 65 UCB
Bldg RL3, Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
303-492-6301
International applicants must submit sealed transcripts and any certificates, degrees, diplomas, or statements of graduation or completion from each college or university attended, and every page of each document must have an original stamp or seal of the institution.
All academic documents submitted to Office of Admissions/International become the property of the University and are not returned. For any transcripts or supporting academic documents that are irreplaceable, please contact the International Admissions Team at intlgrad@colorado.edu for alternatives to sending original or expensive documents.
Financial Aid/Teaching Assistantships
Financial aid is available to M.S. and Ph.D. students in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. Request for financial support should be included in the personal statement submitted with the application for admission. Students receiving financial aid should not expect more than three years of support toward the M.S. or five years toward the Ph.D.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for need-based aid through the Office of Financial Aid, which may be reached at 303-492-5091 or finaid@colorado.edu.
Teaching assistants must enroll in the Teaching Excellence Seminar, APPM 7400, for one semester.
Provisional Admission
If accepted, applicants having the listed qualifications will be classified as regular degree students. Applicants with a few deficiencies in the admission requirements listed above will be considered on an individual basis and, if accepted, will be given provisional status.
Standardized Test Scores
Each applicant is required to submit official General Record of Examination (GRE) General Test scores.
Prior to admission, international applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency, and this requirement may be met if the applicant:
- Speaks English as the native language
- Has completed at least one year of full-time academic study in the United States or at an institution in a country where English is the native language at the time of application, and within two years of the desired admission term. This may be confirmed by official transcripts.
- Takes the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and attains a score that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements indicated below. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.
The graduate committee of the Department of Applied Mathematics does not accept International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores in lieu of TOEFL scores.
GRE Scores
All applicants are required to submit GRE General Test scores. The subject portion of the GRE is not required. Minimum GRE scores are 143 (350) Verbal and 155 (710) Quantitative. GRE scores expire five years after the original test date and are no longer available from ETS.
TOEFL Scores
Foreign applicants must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This requirement will be waived only if one of the following applies: (1) the applicant’s native language is English; (2) the applicant has completed at least one year of academic study in the United States or at an institution in a country where English is the native language at the time of application, and within two years of the desired admission term. Minimum TOEFL scores are: 250 (computer-administered), 600 (paper-based), or 100 (internet-based). The Graduate School will not accept TOEFL scores that are more than two years old. The TSE (Test of Spoken English) is not required.
