Admission Requirements
Admission to the Graduate School at Penn State is a two-step process in which a candidate
applies for admission to the graduate school and to the department or program that will be
the student's major. General requirements for admission to the Graduate School are given
in the General Information section of the Graduate Bulletin and will not be repeated here.
An individual having a baccalaureate degree from a United States institution of higher learning,
or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution of higher education, either in an accredited
engineering curriculum or in some other program such as engineering sciences, physical sciences,
or mathematics, may apply for admission to the Graduate Program in Acoustics. An individual with
a non-technical background may also apply, but acceptance into the Program will depend
significantly on the applicant's specific background and motives to pursue advanced study in acoustics.
An applicant's undergraduate background must, at a minimum, include at least two semesters of
calculus-based physics and mathematics to include complex variables and differential equations.
In addition, an undergraduate knowledge of statics and dynamics, linear algebra, electronic circuit
analysis, and the ability to use mathematical analysis software such as MATLAB is expected. The
minimum acceptable undergraduate grade point average is 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale) with a B+ or better
average in mathematics, physical science, and engineering courses.
The Graduate School requires a completed application and application fee to be submitted directly
to Graduate Enrollment Services. In addition, the Graduate Program in Acoustics requires the
following items:
1. A letter addressed to the Program Chair stating general background, academic goals, and the
degree sought (M.Eng., M.S., or Ph.D.).
2. One copy of the completed application for admission form (if using paper form).
3. A one page letter of intent or statement of goals.
4. One copy of the applicant's resume or vita.
5. Two letters of reference sent to the Program from people who are in a position to comment on the
candidate's education and/or abilities. (These must come directly from the individual authoring
the reference and should be on institution or company letterhead.) Forms are not provided.
6. Scores from a recent (less than two years) Graduate Record Examination GRE) must be supplied.
Applicants with GRE scores older than two years should contact the Acoustics Program Office.
7. Two sets of official transcripts from each institution of higher education at which the applicant
has enrolled in course work.
8. An international applicant whose first language is not English must provide scores from the Test
of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable TOEFL scores are 580 (paper test)
and 237 (computer test).
The Graduate Program in Acoustics maintains an Admissions Committee composed of three Acoustics
Program faculty members. The Admissions Committee conducts an independent evaluation based on the
information supplied by the applicant as described above. The committee considers the overall record
of the applicant and places particular emphasis on courses taken, undergraduate cumulative grade point
average (GPA), GRE scores, TOEFL scores (if required), and supporting letters. A written recommendation
is submitted to the Program Chair who then makes a final decision on admission.
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