FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1) How do I apply to the Nuclear Engineering Program at Texas A&M University? The first step is to complete an application on-line at http://www.tamu.edu/admissions/ 2) The on-line application does not include recommendation forms, do I need them? Yes you need the forms. You can access and download them through our graduate page. Go to: http://nuclear.tamu.edu (Click PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, then GRADUATE PROGRAMS, then LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM) 3) How can I check the status of my application? After 24-48 hours of submitting your application, you can check the status of it on-line. Go to http://www.tamu.edu/admissions or contact the graduate admissions office at 979.845.1060 4) What is the University Code? The University Code for Texas A&M University is 6003 5) Do I need to send transcripts from colleges and universities I attend? Yes, you need to send OFFICIAL transcripts from ALL colleges and universities you have attended to: Admissions Processing Texas A&M University P.O. Box 40001 College Station, Texas 77842-4001, USA 6) What are the requirements to be admitted in the Nuclear Engineering Program? Nuclear Engineering looks at the following: GPA for your most RECENT 60 hours of courses Overall GPA GRE Scores Recommendation Letters (3) Essay TOEFL Scores 7) Do I have to take the GRE prior to coming to TAMU? Yes, it is recommended that you take the GRE prior to coming to TAMU. However, in some cases a student may be admitted before taking the GRE, provided everything else on the list looks sufficient and you have scheduled a time to take it. 8) I need to send my GRE scores, but I don’t know the code to use. Use the University Code – 6003
9) How long does the typical masters program take? The Master of Science program depends on your background and how hard you are willing to work. It also depends on who you choose for an advisor. Most students take from 16 to 24 months to complete the M.S. degree; however, every case is slightly different. 10) How much does the Cumulative GPA matter in the selection process? The Graduate Admissions Committee will look at the overall GPA for your most recent 60 hours. Your major GPA is the most important part; however, the Committee will look at your whole transcript. Any GPA which falls below 3.00 does hurt you to some degree, but again, this is not the sole reason behind decisions that are made. 11) Do I use only junior and senior level work or the last 60 hours of undergraduate work? You report your most recent 60 hours. However, Nuclear Engineering will look at your entire transcript. 12) Item No. 30 on the on-line application talks about “application representative.” What does that mean? Application representative means that you are authorizing somebody to call in about the status of your application. If you do authorize someone, then you write their name, address, and phone number on application. 14) If I applied to another department at Texas A&M can they forward application to Nuclear Engineering? No. If you want to apply to the Department of Nuclear Engineering you will have to resubmit a new application to Texas A&M University. For additional information, call the Office of Admissions for Graduates at (979) 845-1060 or http://www.tamu.edu/admissions 15) Are there any details required for the Department of Nuclear Engineering other than the ones listed in the general statement description? There are no specific details. However, we want to know why you think nuclear engineering or health physics is the right major for you. What makes you stand out among other applicants that would lead to your selection over other applicants?
International-based questions 1) Is an International Student required to take the TOEFL? Yes, the TOEFL is required. The scores required are 550 for paper-based and 213 for computer-based. For more information on the TOEFL, go to: http://www.tamu.edu/admissions/psc/International.html or http://www.toefl.org/
2) Is an International Student required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam? Yes, you are required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam. Go to http://international.tamu.edu/iss/ for more information on dates and times of exams, and other questions you may have. 3) How long does it take an International Student with F-1 or J-1 to obtain a visa? Due to changes in the federal regulations, an additional three to four weeks can be added to the process of obtaining visas. 4) I am attending a University in the USA, do I need a new I-20? All international students who are coming to Texas A&M do require an I-20 from Texas A&M. If the student is coming from another university in the United States, a completed Transfer In Form must be submitted to International Student Services. The student will complete page 1 and the Designated School Official or international student advisor at their current school will complete page 2. This is required because the student’s SEVIS record must be released to Texas A&M in order for International Student Services to produce an I-20. The student will also need to complete the Immigration Information Questionnaire and provide financial resource documentation as any other international student must do. These students must additionally provide copies of their picture, name, and expiration pages of the passport (this is on the same page for many countries), their visa, both sides of the I-94 card, and pages 1 and 3 of the I-20. In order to assure that International Student Services (ISS) has received these documents, the financial resource documents will be considered incomplete until they have been received. For a copy of the Transfer In Form and immigration information questionnaire as well as information about the required financial resource documentation, please visit ISS website:
http://international.tamu.edu/iss/dcf.asp
NOTE: To keep up with fees, travel information, regulations, forms, and other type information pertaining to International students go to the International Student Services web site at:
http://iss.tamu.edu