Frequently Asked Questions

If you are interested in applying for admission to our graduate program, please review the list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers below.

1. Is there an application fee to formally apply to the Graduate School?
   If you are graduating from a 4-year institution in the US with a bachelors degree, all fees are waived if you apply before February 15th! If you are applying after Feb 15^th the fee is $50 USD. For all international applications, the total fee is $100 USD ($50 application fee plus an additional $50 foreign credential evaluation fee).
2. What am I required to have submitted to the Graduate School by the deadline?
   • Application.
   • Official transcripts.
   • Essay.
   • Three letters of recommendation (with accompanying request for recommendation for each letter).
   • GRE scores are optional but if you’d like to submit them, our ETS code is 6897
   • For more information, visit the graduate admissions website.
3. Can I send some “unofficial copies” of these documents to you to make the free admission deadline?
   For students who completed their B.S. degree in the US, you can send unofficial transcripts to Isaac Arreola and we will consider these for admissions purposes.You must eventually upload official documents before you enroll, however, or you will not be admitted.
4. What are the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s admission requirements?
   The recruiting committee will consider an applicant’s entire package including candidate’s GPA (grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), transcripts, school attended, research experience and the three letters of recommendation. Submitting GRE scores are optional and should only be submitted if the candidate feels they are particularly high. International students also must take the TOEFL exam. The minimum scores for the TOEFL are 80 for the IBT, and 7.0 for the IELTS. While the committee pays particular attention to your grades in chemistry courses and letters of recommendation, all aspects of the application are considered.
5. What is the address to send recommendations, transcripts and test scores to?
   Official copies of your transcripts and test scores (TOEFL for international students) should be sent to:Admission and Enrollment
   The University of Texas at Dallas
   800 West Campbell Road
   Richardson, TX 75083-3021
6. If I have questions about the program can I talk to a person?
   Sure! If you’re interested in the program, maybe coming for a visit, or you want to learn more about what we offer, contact:
   Associate Professor Ronald Smaldone
7. What are the admission deadlines?
   The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry accepts inquiries year-round but only admits students in the fall semester. Admission during the spring and summer sessions are less common and usually done for exceptional cases only. For specific deadlines please visit the graduate admission website. You should consider submitting your application and other required materials as early as possible for the best chance at securing a position in the fall incoming graduate class. Offers can be made as early as late December for scholarships.
8. Why are the admission deadlines for international students so far in advance of US domestic applicants?
   Not only does UT Dallas have to process the admission, it takes 6 to 8 weeks after formal admittance is granted for most countries to process the I-20 visa form, and to award an applicant a student visa. Please also note that international students must attend a special orientation nearly a week before classes begin.
9. What are ALL the admission requirements for UT Dallas?
   Visit graduate admissions
10. Can TOEFL exam be waived?
    TOEFL exams are waived only if an undergraduate degree is obtained at a U.S. institution. U.S. citizens and permanent residents do not need the TOEFL.
11. What are the English-speaking requirements for graduate school admission to UTD and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry?
    An international applicant must take and pass the TOEFL exam. The minimum scores for the TOEFL are 80 for the IBT, and 7.0 for the IELTS. These minimum scores cannot be waved.
12. What is The University of Texas at Dallas’ ETS school code where I have my official test scores sent?
    It is 6897.
13. What kind of financial support does the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offer? 
    Students entering the PhD program do not pay tuition and receive financial support in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), which currently starts at $2,400 per month. PhD students receive a Graduate Studies Scholarship (GSS), which covers your costs for UT Dallas tuition and some fees. Health Coverage is available to all supported students.
14. Is this enough money to live in Dallas?
    For one of the largest cities in the US, the cost of living in Dallas is very low. All fees are covered by the school and Texas as no state income tax. As a student you also do not pay social security taxes. Consequently, you can live relatively comfortably on your stipend.
15. What are the various statistics on the number of offers of assistantships you make each semester?
    We typically admit approximately 25 BS-PhD track students with support each fall semester.
16. Can I, as an international student, come to the US for only a couple of classes?
    International applicants cannot apply for nondegree-seeking status.
17. The application must be complete by December 15 for first-round consideration for assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships for the upcoming Fall term.