Information for New Students

Students with a master's degree in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, geology, engineering, mathematics or other relevant areas of science will be considered for admission. You must be admitted to the CMU College of Graduate Studies and the SAM program.

Three (3) letters of recommendation from faculty who know your work.

Transcripts of previous undergraduate and graduate studies, GRE scores, a statement of research interests and letters of recommendation will be used in evaluating candidates for admission. All materials must be submitted for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications are not likely to be competitive in the admissions review.

Relevant graduate coursework taken previously may be counted toward meeting some of the program requirements. A completed M.S. thesis on a materials-related topic may be counted toward the directed research credits required for the SAM Ph.D.

Applications are considered throughout the year but primarily for Fall semester admission.  Submit all materials by February 1 for consideration for Fall admission.  Please follow the steps below to make sure your application is competitive, as the SAM program admission is competitive and only a few students enter the program each year.

First, contact a faculty member with whom you are interested in working.  In order to be accepted into the program, your application must be sponsored by a participating faculty member who is willing to take you into his or her research program.

Next, complete application forms and required materials.  Application forms are available via the CMU College of Graduate Studies website.  International students can find out more about the application process specific to those applying from outside the U.S. here. All of the following materials must be submitted:

• CMU graduate application;​
• Official transcripts for any B.S. and M.S. degree
• Official GRE scores, general test only (CMU institutional code is 1106; no separate program code);
• A personal statement outlining your interest in the SAM program, identifying the faculty mentor with whom you've already been in contact, and describing your prior research experiences and how they will contribute to your future success;
• Three (3) letters of recommendation;
• CV/Resume;
• International students must provide evidence of English​ proficiency (CMU institutional code is 1106)