To be admitted to graduate study in Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences (MEAS), you must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline of natural science, engineering, or mathematics.
2. Have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent) during the last two years of undergraduate study, and a minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In special circumstances applicants are sometimes admitted with a slightly lower GRE score, but this is rare.
3. Students whose native language is other than English must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English as a foreign language. An overall score of 550 or higher is required on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of the Educational Testing Service, with scores of 50 on at least two of the sections and no section score below 45.
Meeting these basic requirements does not necessarily lead to admission or financial support; actual decisions on these matters are decided on a competitive basis from semester to semester, and depend in part on the availability of funds and the overall number and quality of applications.
To be considered for admission you must submit a completed “Application for Admission to the Graduate School”, along with all required supporting information. At the Admissions section of the NCSU Graduate School web site (http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/admision.htm), you can download the application forms (pdf file) or place a request to have paper copies of the forms sent by mail. Also, an on-line application process through the NCSU web site can be initiated at http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/applygrad.htm/. The required supporting information is listed in the instructions supplied with the application forms (by pdf or mail), and found at the web site for on-line application; it includes:
1. A non-refundable application processing fee (see application instructions for current fee).
2. Two official copies of all transcripts for post-secondary academic work. Where applicable, a certified English translation must accompany the original. Foreign applicants must also submit copies of graduation certificates for all degrees held.
3. Three reference forms or letters from former professors, academic advisors, or workplace supervisors aware of your scientific abilities and potential for graduate study.
4. An official report of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores are not required for a specific subject test, only for the general test.
5. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score if you are from a country where English is not the first language, regardless of whether you already hold a degree from a U.S. university.
6. A brief resume with pertinent information regarding your previous experience and achievements.
7. A statement of intent, including a brief discussion (not to exceed 1500 words) of educational goals and career projections. You may also include a copy of previous written scientific work.
8. A residence form if claiming North Carolina residency for tuition purposes.
Applicants should comply with University application deadlines given in the graduate application instructions. However, earlier application is strongly encouraged. A critical factor is the availability of financial support in the form of a teaching or research assistantship (see “Financial Support: Assistantships” below). For example, for admission in the fall semester, the NCSU Graduate School deadline for application is June 25 for U.S. citizens and March 1 for international applicants (http://www.grad.ncsu.edu/calendar/scripts/appdead2.asp). However, beginning roughly in mid-January, the MEAS faculty start to review applications and make decisions on admission and assistantship awards. From that time on, assistantships are offered on an ongoing basis, as qualified candidates apply; thus, there is no guarantee that assistantships will remain available by the Graduate School application deadline (June 25). In unusual circumstances, assistantships may remain available even well into the summer, though you should not count on this (if you are interested in the possibility of late admission, please contact the Graduate Administrator in MEAS or an MEAS faculty member in your field of interest to ask whether assistantships are still available). Give yourself the best possible chances for admission and financial support by applying early: by January 1 for the fall semester, and September 1 for the spring semester. Admission and financial support may be available for later applicants, but the chances are reduced.