Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions for all Graduate Programs in the CSEE Department:

  1. What are the application deadlines?
  2. What if I miss the deadline? Will my application still be reviewed?
  3. What tests are required for admission into the MS and PhD programs?
  4. What is the Institution Code for UMBC? What are the department codes for CSEE?
  5. I wish to be considered for financial support — what should I do?
  6. I have applied or I have been admitted, but I would like to delay my matriculation. May I do so, and if so, what should I do?
  7. I submitted an application without the application fee. Will my application be reviewed?
  8. What are the expectations for admission?
  9. I am currently enrolled in an MS degree program at CSEE. How do I apply for the Ph.D. program?
  10. What is a “special or non-degree seeking” student?
  11. How many students attend UMBC?
  12. What does UMBC stand for?
  13. How does course registration (including waitlists) work?

Questions Specific to the Computer Science Program ONLY:

  1. Can I request a GRE Waiver?
  2. I have completed a BS/MS degree in a closely-related field to Computer Science, and I have some computer experience. Can I be admitted into the MS program?
  3. I have a degree in a field not related to CS, but have some experience with computers. Can I be admitted to the MS program in CS?
  4. The catalog says that the Department may waive the GRE requirement.  Must I really take the GRE’s?

 

  1.  What are the application deadlines?
    •  International Applicants (any applicant who has attended or is attending a foreign school):
      • Fall Semester:       January 1
      • Spring Semester:   June 1 of the prior calendar year
    • Domestic Applicants (U.S. Citizens & U.S.-educated permanent residents):
      • If seeking financial assistance:
        • Fall Semester:        January 1
        • Spring Semester:   June 1 of the prior calendar year
      • If not seeking financial assistance:
        • Fall Semester:       June 1
        • Spring Semester:  November 1
  2. What if I miss the application deadline? Will my file still be reviewed?The department will accept late applications; however, it will not guarantee that they will be reviewed. If an application is received too late, the department will notify the applicant via email and give them a chance to defer their application. The applicant may defer their application only ONCE for up to one year. The email will let the applicant know the deadline by which they must respond in order to have their deferment request processed. Failure to complete the application by the deadline of the semester to which it was deferred will automatically result in denial of the application.
  3. What tests are required for admission into the MS and PhD programs? Applicants must submit results of the GRE verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning tests. No subject area test is required, but good subject area test scores will greatly strengthen an application. In addition, students who graduated from foreign undergraduate institutions (even from English-speaking countries) must submit a TOEFL score which meets the graduate school’s minimum requirements (for the internet-based test the minimum is 80).
  4. What is the institution code for UMBC? What is the department code for CSEE? UMBC’s institution code is 5835 . You do not need to use a department code, as TOEFL and GRE score reports must be sent directly to the graduate school, NOT the department. Leave the department code section blank, if possible. If you are unable to leave the program code blank, then use the following:
    Computer Science = 78
    Computer Engineering = 99
    Electrical Engineering = 66
    Keep in mind that when scores are sent to the department, they will need to be forwarded to the graduate school and this takes time, so your file will be processed faster if your scores are sent directly to the graduate school.
  5. How to request a GRE Waiver: Computer Science applicants, please read the following FAQ before applying for the CS GRE Waiver. (Link to form provided below).Q: Why does the Computer Science Graduate program require the GRE for admission?A: We receive applications from all over the world, often from unfamiliar universities. The GRE scores are standardized data that allows us to compare applicants with very different backgrounds.Q: What is the cutoff for GRE scores?A: There is no official cutoff for GRE scores. However, admission is competitive, so all other things being equal, the applicant with higher scores has the advantage. For your reference, the top 64 applicants for the Fall 2009 semester had average GRE scores of 544 Verbal, 756 Math and 3.97 Analytic.Q: Can I apply for a GRE waiver?A: Some applicants may request waivers. See the GRE Waiver Request Form for detailed instructions. Note that applicants seeking financial support must have GRE scores. Also, qualifying for a GRE Waiver Request does not imply that your request will be automatically approved. Your request will be approved only if the computer science graduate admissions committee agrees that GRE scores are not needed to make an admissions decision in your case.Q: Why is the deadline for requesting a GRE Waiver so early? What if I send in a request after the deadline?

    A: The deadlines are early enough so that if your request if denied, then you would still have time to take the GRE. If you send in a request after the deadline and your request is denied, then you will have to defer your application.

    Please complete the CS GRE waiver request form or the CE/EE GRE waiver request form. The form must be submitted by March 1st for fall applicants and by September 1st for spring applicants.

  6. What are the expectations for admission? Admissions is a complex process in which we consider the entire application folder, including research potential, prior accomplishments, motivation, prior course work, GRE scores, communication skills, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, character, and areas of research interest.
    • For the MS program, we expect the successful applicant to have completed an undergraduate degree comparable to a BS degree in field of study either at UMBC or elsewhere. We expect a grade point average well above 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) and strong GREs. We expect strong letters from previous professors documenting research experience and potential. UMBC undergraduates are expected to include letters from full-time UMBC faculty. Your statement of purpose should indicate interest in a specific area of the graduate program that you applied for.
    • For the PhD program, we expect the successful applicant to have completed an MS degree comparable to the MS degree at UMBC, or to have a strong undergraduate record in the program applied for. We expect a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 and very strong GREs. We expect strong letters from previous professors documenting research experience and potential. Your statement of purpose should indicate interest in a specific area of the graduate program and discuss research issues of interest to you.
  7. I have completed a BS/MS degree in a closely-related field to Computer Science, and I have some computer experience. Can I be admitted into the MS program?For admission as a degree-seeking student in the MS program for CS, we expect each applicant to have completed a BS program (or equivalent) in computer science. We expect the successful applicant to have completed equivalents to each of the following eight courses:
    • CMSC 203 Discrete Structure (note that calculus is a prerequisite)
    • CMSC 313 Computer Organization and Assembly Language
    • CMSC 331 Principles of Programming Languages
    • CMSC 341 Data Structures (note that Computer Science I and II are prerequisites)
    • CMSC 411 Computer Architecture
    • CMSC 421 Operating Systems
    • CMSC 441 Algorithm Analysis

    At least one course from the following list:

    • CMSC 435  Computer Graphics
    • CMSC 451 Theory of Computing and Formal Languages
    • CMSC 455 Numerical Computations
    • CMSC 461 Database Management Systems
    • CMSC 471 Artificial Intelligence
    • CMSC 481 Computer Networks
  8. I have a degree in a field not related to CS, but have some experience with computers. Can I be admitted to the MS program in CS? An applicant who has not completed substantially all of the courses listed in response to the previous question will generally not be accepted as a degree-seeking student in our graduate program. However, such a student is invited to take these courses as a “special student” and to reapply after taking them.
  9. What is a “special or non-degree seeking” student?A “special student” or “non-degree-seeking student” is not in any degree-granting program. Special students may take courses for credit; however, there are significant restrictions as to how many credit hours taken as a special student may transfer toward a degree program, if the student subsequently gains admission as a degree-seeking student. For details, see the catalog. To be admitted as a special student, there are two requirements: grade point average of at least 3.0, and–for students who graduate from foreign institutions–a TOEFL score of at least 213 (on the computerized test). GREs are not required for special students.
  10. I wish to be considered for financial support — What should I do ? I have been accepted into the MS or PhD program but I was not offered financial support. What are my chances for obtaining support? Should I do anything to increase my chances of obtaining support? The department has a vigorous, externally funded research program, and each year we support a large number of students as TAs and RAs. Checking the box for financial support on your application for admission automatically puts you in consideration for all available support. You do not have to do anything else. Be sure you have your application and supporting materials in before the deadline (January 1 for fall admission).Each year, the top applicants are identified by the admissions committee as candidates for support through TAs or Fellowships. Like decisions for admission, these decisions are also made based on your undergraduate record, test scores, letters of support etc. Although priority is given to PhD students, well-qualified MS students also receive support. Any available support is offered to these applicants. The department typically makes initial offers to incoming students in early March. This offer is included with the letter of admission from the department. For applications that are received or completed late, decisions on financial support are made on a rolling basis, as and when positions become available. Often no positions are available for late applications. Note that while we support a large majority of our full-time students, not all students who have requested financial assistantship can be supported.If you do not recieve support before coming to UMBC, please realize that your chances of subsequently obtaining departmental support are very small. While you may have heard anecdotal stories of students who join the program unsupported later obtaining support, these things happen rarely. International students who come unsupported should in particular plan to be able to support their tuition and living expenses for the duration of their studies since INS regulations prevent them from working while on student visas.Please do not email faculty members with your resumes asking them to evaluate your chances of receiving support — realize that your chances depend on the strength of your application as well as the strength of the other applicants in the pool. No faculty member can evaluate your chances based on your email alone, no matter how much details you enclose.Research assistantships are outside the purview of the admissions committee. RAs are selected by the sponsoring faculty member, from the pool of all current and admitted students. Strong applicants who are seeking research assistantships are encouraged to contact faculty members directly by email. Please do not indiscriminately send email to all faculty professing an interest in their research, though. Faculty do talk to each other about prospective students, and a mass mailing is likely to reduce your chances of getting support. Go through our web page, identify those professors whose research interests you, and then contact them.
  11. I submitted an application without the application fee. Will my application be reviewed?No. The admissions committee will never see or even know about your application. The Graduate School witholds from the Department all applications submitted without the mandatory application fee. Every year, hundreds of applicants fail to understand this rule. In extreme hardship cases, the applicant may petition the Graduate School to waive the required fee. Such waivers are rarely granted. We understand that for some people a $50 application fee is a tremendous barrier. On the other hand, reviewing each application costs UMBC more than $50, and University policy prevents us from reviewing applications without the fee.
  12. I have applied or I have been admitted, but I would like to delay my matriculation. May I do so, and if so, what should I do?To delay matriculation, you must submit a request in writing to the department. Such requests are typically granted, but only once and only for up to one year. After one year, or on the second such request, a new application must be submitted, with an additional application fee. Please note that offers for financial support will not be carried over, nor will applications which delay matriculation be considered anew for support.
  13. How many credit hours are required for the MS degree?The requirements vary based on whether you chose the thesis or the non-thesis options. Please carefully read the catalog for detailed descriptions of all degree requirements.
  14. I am currently enrolled in an MS degree program at CSEE. How do I apply for the Ph.D. program?You need to submit a new application to the department. Since you are an “internal” applicant, your application does not need to be sent to the Graduate School and you do NOT have to pay a fee. Do NOT use the online system to apply since it will require payment. Simply print out the application form and complete it and submit it to the Graduate Program Coordinator at the department. You must, submit the following documents along with your application: new statement of purpose, and at least three new letters of recommendation from UMBC faculty, an unofficial copy of your most recent transcript. Preferably, these new letters should come from regular faculty who know you well, including your research advisor and any professors with whom you intend to work. In your new statement of purpose, you should explain why you wish to change status, and you should discuss what research you plan to undertake and with whom you intend to carry out this research.
  15. How many students attend UMBC?There are approximately 9,000 undergraduate students and 3,000 graduate students. In Computer Science, there are approximately 900 undergraduate students, 150 MS students, and 75 PhD students. Approximately 40% of all graduate students are part-time.
  16. What does UMBC stand for?The acronym UMBC stands for The University of Maryland Baltimore County. Founded in 1966, UMBC is a campus of the University of Maryland System specializing in science and technology. UMBC is located in Baltimore County, near Baltimore City, which accounts for its geographically-correct name. UMBC is a separate campus from UMAB (University of Maryland at Baltimore), located in Baltimore City. UMBC and UMAB share a common graduate school, known as The University of Maryland Graduate School, Baltimore. UMAB is the original campus of the University of Maryland system; currently it is best know for its medical and professional schools. UMBC is also separate from UMCP (University of Maryland College Park), located in College Park, inside the Washington D.C. beltway. Historically a land-grant agricultural school, UMCP is now a large comprehensive university, well known for its huge number of students, sports teams, and large classes. UMBC is entirely separate from the professional school UB (University of Baltimore), which is best known for its law and business schools.

Further details can be found by following these links:

Part-time Students

Online Graduate Orientation