Preparing to Apply

Preparing to Apply

Key Application Information for Prospective Students

Apply Now!

Applying to any graduate program requires adequate planning and preparation to ensure that your application is successful. Our timeline for applying includes the recommended timing and steps to take when planning your application. Since many of our applicants and current students come from non-chemical engineering backgrounds, we have also outlined recommended coursework to be completed prior to applying to our program.

  • Applying Without a Chemical Engineering Background
  • Depending on the degree track, students without a chemical engineering background are welcome to apply to our program. Reviewers will be looking for satisfactory completion of a full year of physics, chemistry and engineering-level math, including linear algebra and differential equations.
  • Equivalent UC Davis courses
  • SubjectUC Davis Equivalent Courses
    Single variable calculusMAT 021A, MAT 021B
    Multi variable calculusMAT 021C, MAT 021D
    Linear algebraMAT 022A
    Differential equationsMAT 022B
    Classical mechanicsPHY 009A, PHY 009B
    ElectromagnetismPHY 009C
    General chemistryCHE 002A
    ThermodynamicsCHE 002B
    Kinetics and electrochemistryCHE 002C
  • Application Timeline
  • Below is our recommended, but not required, timeline for applying to our program. We strongly encourage all applicants to take standardized tests by October to ensure a timely submission of scores, as we are not able to make an admissions decision until all application materials have been received. 

    September 
    Research potential faculty mentors 
    Draft your admissions essays
    Request letters of recommendation
    Prepare for the TOEFL (or IELTS) exam

    October 
    Begin filling out the application online   

    December 
    Finalize admissions essays 
    Submit application

    January 
    Upload transcripts to system
    Periodically check application status via the online system to ensure that test scores and letters of recommendation have been received. 

    February 
    File a FAFSA form (if applicable). 
    Begin receiving notification of admissions decision