FAQs
When should I apply?
Our deadline for fall admission is April 15, but we start admitting students in early February. Applications that are received after we have started the admission process have a reduced chance of admission because there will be fewer open positions remaining. For fall applicants, we recommend that the application be submitted no later than January 1 in order to have the best chance of admission.
Do you admit students for the spring semester? Do you offer financial aid to students who are admitted for spring?
The answer to both questions is yes. However, our program is best suited for fall admission, and the spring class is typically much smaller than the fall class. Occasionally, we do not have a spring class.
How is admission decided?
Our department graduate admissions committee makes all decisions concerning admission and assistantships. They review the record of each applicant, taking into consideration grade-point average, undergraduate preparation, engineering experience, recommendation letters, and any other information which can contribute to the review.
When will I know if I will be admitted?
That is difficult to say. The decision process usually begins in early February (for fall applicants) and continues through the spring semester. A decision may be made shortly after we receive your application, but a pool of qualified applicants is kept on hold until we have received as many acceptances as we have openings. Applicants will receive the decision via the email address provided on the online application. No decisions will be given over the phone.
If I give you a summary of my scores and background, can you tell me my chances of receiving financial aid?
No. However, we can say that a large number of our students are granted financial aid. You will be notified via email if you are offered financial aid. We do not respond to inquiries concerning financial aid status.
Can the application fee be waived?
Application Fee Waiver Information & Request Form
Do you have recommendation forms?
No. During the application process, you must supply the names and email addresses of the three (or more) people from whom you are requesting a recommendation letter. An automatic email will be sent to them with instructions on how to submit the recommendation letter. You will be able to see which letters have been received via your Graduate School online application. You may also have your recommenders write letters, seal the envelopes, sign over the seal, and give them to you to mail to us.
Can I send photocopies of my TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores with my application instead of having the original scores mailed?
Yes, but if you are admitted, you must then request that ETS sends the official scores to the Graduate School before the beginning of your first semester.
Should I contact a faculty member with whom I would like to work before arriving at LSU or even before I am admitted?
Probably not. Most faculty members are deluged with emails from prospective students and will not commit themselves to work with a student based only on email correspondence and an application package. Matching students with projects is a complex process involving student competition and available funding. Therefore, most faculty members will want to meet students in person and see how well they perform in core CHE courses before making a decision. However, most faculty members will be more willing to commit to advising a student if this commitment does not include a financial obligation to support the student. Therefore, if you are financially self-supported and do not require an assistantship, it may make sense to contact potential research advisors in advance.
When & how do I pick a research advisor/project?
Shortly after the semester begins, faculty members offering projects will give short presentations on these projects. New students will then have most of the semester to talk to the faculty members for whom they would like to work. Each student must hand in a list of three or more desired projects, ranked in order of preference. Students are then assigned projects based on these lists, preferably in such a way that everyone gets his or her first choice. Obviously, this is not always possible.
What are the minimum TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score requirements?
The LSU Graduate School requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper based exam), 213 (computer based exam), or 79 (internet based exam); IELTS score of 6.5; or PTE score of 59 (for international students whose native language is not English). No exceptions. Our department prefers scores of at least 620 (pBt), 260 (cBt), or 105 (iBt), but these scores are not required for admission as many factors are evaluated when considering admission of each applicant.
Do I have to retake a course I have already taken or can it be transferred?
Students already holding a master's degree in chemical engineering can transfer up to nine hours of coursework, with a maximum of two core courses eligible for transfer. Every credit transfer is at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies.
Is the GRE required for admission to the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program?
No. However, submitting an outstanding GRE score can separate you from other applicants. You can submit an unofficial GRE score. If you are admitted, you will be required to have ETS send the official score to the LSU Graduate School prior to your first semester at LSU.