Applying to Rochester
Thank you for your interest in the University of Rochester’s computer science graduate program. Below is information on:
How to Apply
Students interested in earning a PhD should apply only to the PhD program, not the master’s program, even if they only have an undergraduate degree.
The master’s program is for students who intend to complete their studies with an MS degree, and has different criteria for admission. After initiating an application online, candidates will receive an email message with information about how to check the status of their application.
Submit a new application or check status.
Deadlines
The deadline for Fall 2024 admission is January 1 (PhD) and February 1 (MS). We do not accept applications for Spring admission.
All the application materials (including transcripts and letters of recommendation) must arrive before the deadline. Students should initiate their application several weeks ahead of these deadlines in order to ensure that all materials are received on time.
Application Fee
Master’s Program
There is a 70 dollar application fee.
Applicants may request a waiver of the application fee in cases of financial hardship. After completing the application except for payment, an applicant may email a request explaining their special circumstances to our master's program coordinator at nquattro@cs.rochester.edu.
PhD Program
There is no application fee.
Required Materials
- Personal Statement (Statement of Purpose)
- Diversity Statement
- Transcripts
- Please upload scans of your unofficial transcripts to your application --official transcripts will only be required if you are admitted.
- GRE Scores
- PhD applicants are not required to submit GRE Scores
- MS applicants are required to submit GRE Scores.
- English Language Proficiency Scores
- International students must submit one of the following exam results unless they meet the requirements listed in the English Language Proficiency Exam Waiver section:
- TOEFL
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- IELTS
- Duolingo
- Information on how to submit exam scores are given in the How to Submit your Exam Scores section. Scores more than two years old from the application deadline are not valid.
- International students must submit one of the following exam results unless they meet the requirements listed in the English Language Proficiency Exam Waiver section:
- Three Letters of Recommendation
There is no specific minimum threshold on GRE or English language proficiency scores. The admission decision is made based on the overall application package.
English Language Proficiency Exam Waiver
The English proficiency test requirement is waived for citizens of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Commonwealth Caribbean Nations
- Ghana
- Ireland
- Kenya
- Liberia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Uganda
- UK
- Virgin Islands
The requirement may also be waived if a student has completed at least three years of postsecondary study in one of the countries listed above or the United States. Scores more than two years old from the application deadline are not valid. We reserve the right to require demonstration of English proficiency, even if you have received your degree from one of the above mentioned countries.
How to Submit your Exam Scores
- GRE and TOEFL scores can be submitted using the code 2928.
- Duolingo scores can be submitted by selecting the University of Rochester as the recipient of the scores.
- For IELTS scores, please use the following address:
PhD Program Selection Process
Selecting students for admission is a two-stage process. In the first stage, we select a group of applicants for interviews.
Applicants residing in the US are invited to visit the department for a specified three days in early March. Candidates will be interviewed by faculty and current graduate students, learn more about our research, and enjoy department social events. The department pays for transportation and lodging, as detailed in the invitation.
Students residing outside of the US will be interviewed by telephone by both faculty and current graduate students.
In the second stage of admissions, a selected set of the interviewed students is offered admission on a rolling basis until the incoming class is filled. Admissions are decided by a faculty committee, rather than by individual professors.
Financial Support
Master’s Program
Partial tuition discounts may be available for qualified students, but we do not offer full scholarships or teaching assistantships to MS students.
PhD Program
PhD students in good academic standing are guaranteed financial support for tuition plus a living stipend. Students serve as teaching assistants for two or three semesters, and as research assistants the rest of their time in the program.
All US applicants are urged to apply to one or more national graduate fellowship programs. Although all admitted students receive a departmental fellowship and stipend, winning an external fellowship will improve your chances of admission and increase the amount of your stipend.
Contact
Please email our MS program coordinator or our PhD program coordinator with any additional questions.