Department of Atmospheric Sciences - The University of Utah

Deadlines:

Applicants may apply to the graduate program from October 1st, 2022 through January 20th, 2023 for Fall 2023 admission. Applications after January 20th are accepted, but decisions for research assistantships are initially based on applications received by that date. Please follow the step-by-step instructions.

Selection Process:

The selection process is very competitive, and not all qualified applicants can be admitted. We encourage interested candidates to contact individual faculty members, as early as possible, to discuss their research interests. For additional information, including admissions criteria, financial assistance, and the research interests of individual faculty members, see the Graduate Student Guide and our research program web page.

Basic Entrance Requirements:

1. B.A. or B.S. degree required for entrance into M.S. Program

[Most students will have a degree in a relevant field such as atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, or the physical sciences]

2. M.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences or closely related discipline required for entrance into the Ph.D. program

3. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

4. Proficiency in undergraduate coursework before entry into the graduate program

[Students are expected to have passed basic courses in math (through partial differential equations), calculus-based physics, chemistry, and computer science equivalent to those required for an Atmospheric Sciences B.S. The combined GPA of these courses should exceed 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.]

5. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) revised General Test is no longer required.

- GRE revised General Test Scores may be submitted as supplementary information to the Department of Atmospheric Sciences directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS). Send scores directly to School Code (4853) and Department Code (0501).

6. Statement of Purpose: Please provide a two-page Statement of Purpose describing your professional and personal interests; previous academic and research experience including any honors, prizes, and publications (if any); service or educational work (such as tutoring, teaching, outreach, etc.); research-interest alignment with specific department faculty members; and any additional information about yourself that you feel would be useful in evaluating your application. Finally, the University of Utah’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences is dedicated to creating a highly inclusive environment; please describe how you will contribute to this mission as a graduate student.

7. Demonstrated English proficiency (for international student applicants, whose first language is not English)

Official TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old at the time of admission and must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (TOEFL) or from the center where you took the test (IELTS) to the University of Utah Admissions Office (School Code: 4853) at:

The University of Utah

Admissions Office

201 S. 1460 E., Rm. 250

Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9057

How to Apply:

Step 1: Please follow the step-by-step instructions.

Step 2: Gather Application Materials

Step 3: Submit Online Application and Pay Fee

Step 4: Check Application Status

Step 5: Acceptance Notification

Step 1: Reference the Graduate Program Application Instructions

These instructions will facilitate the process and will answer many frequently asked questions. This is very important because the department requires additional information than what is required on the application.

Step 2: Gather Application Materials

Unofficial transcripts from previous institutions (in English)
GRE scores
TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international student applicants whose first language is not English)
Curriculum vitae
Statement of Purpose (2 page maximum) describing career goals, motivations, potential areas of interest, and contact with Departmental faculty (if any)
Credit card for application fee
Contact information for three references that will submit letters of recommendation

Step 3: Submit Online Application and Pay Fee

Begin Application
Pay nonrefundable application fee (The Department is not able to waive this fee)
Upload required documents

NOTE: Your University of Utah application will not be considered complete until the online application is submitted and the University has received test scores, letters of reference, and the application fee.

Step 4: Check Application Status

Review what materials have been received by logging back into the application with your PIN and password
If an item is not listed on the application home screen, then it has not been uploaded or received yet. (Please check often for letters of recommendation.)

Step 5: Acceptance Notification

Once the Admissions Office has deemed the application complete, it will forward the application to the Department. Please allow 2 months for Admissions Office processing.
Once the Department receives your completed application from the Admissions Office, we will begin the review process. Review will take 1-2 months.
Once the review is finished, your application status online will read: “Fully Reviewed.”
The Department will notify you of its admission decision informally via email. A formal letter will follow.

If the Department admits you:

The Department will send paperwork to the Admissions Office to declare the decision.
The Admissions Office will verify that you meet admissions standards.
If you do, they will send you an official acceptance letter via postal mail.
ONLY at this point should you send official transcripts to the University Admissions Office at: