We’re Welcoming New Graduate Students!

We welcome the opportunity to review your graduate application for possible admission to our graduate programs, as our professors will be seeking graduate students in all of our research areas for the fall and spring semesters.

For Prospective Students

To be admitted to graduate study in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, students must submit credentials sufficient to convince the faculty that he or she has a good chance of completing the requirements for a graduate degree within a reasonable time frame.

Admission decisions are made upon review of a complete application, which include:

  • A statement of purpose
  • Transcript(s) from previous institutions
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Exams
    • GREs are not required for any applications and will not be considered as part of the application review process.
    • English Language
      • TOEFL or IELTS or Cambridge Assessment English Exam (for most applicants whose native language is not English. Some exceptions apply, which will be explained while creating the application).
      • iTEP – the International Test of English Proficiency will be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS until further notice to accommodate areas where TOEFL and IELTS testing sites are closed due to precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit the University’s iTEP information page for information.
      • NOTE: the Duolingo test is not accepted by Johns Hopkins University or its departments.

Start Your Graduate Application
Visit the Whiting School Graduate Admissions page to prepare and submit your application.

For Current Johns Hopkins Mechanical Engineering Students
If you’re a current Johns Hopkins Mechanical Engineering graduate student, please see Section 3.12 of the Master’s Graduate Advising Manual for information on switching to a PhD program. The process is different than applying for graduate admission as described on this page. If you are not a current student, Section 3.12 does not apply to you. Please see the “For Prospective Students” section for information.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

We will accept graduate applications both Ph.D. and M.S.E. applicants

  • Fall semesters
    • Fall 2025 – applications will be accepted beginning around August 16, 2024. The application submission deadlines are these:
      • PhD applications: December 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
      • NEW! Master’s applications:  January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
  • Spring semesters
    • Spring 2025 – The application submission deadline of October 15, 2024 has passed. No additional applications are being accepted for Spring 2025.
    • Spring 2026 – applications will be accepted beginning around August 16, 2025. The application submission deadline is October 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)

We strongly encourage that all application items be submitted where possible by the application submission deadline, including your statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE scores, and for international applicants: TOEFL/IELTS scores (unless your native language is English or you have graduated with a degree from a University in many English-speaking countries, which exempts you from submitting the score).

The Graduate Admissions office does not accept updated materials after the application is submitted, save for letters of recommendation and official exam scores that arrive after the application deadline that are automatically uploaded to your application.  The Department of Mechanical Engineering will consider requests to update other application items after the application submission on a case-by-case basis.  Please send the department at me-academic@jhu.edu a copy of the new or updated item. We ask that this option be used sparingly, but your request will be considered.

Semester Definitions

To clarify for those whose seasons are different from those in the northern hemisphere or where no seasons with significant weather changes exist in their home areas, we define our semester periods as such:

  • Spring – begins in late-January and ends in mid-May
  • Fall – begins in late-August and ends in mid-December

Verifying Receipt

To verify receipt of your application items, please view your Slate application, as there will be live updates on your application as items are received.

The Graduate Admissions office manages several thousand applications in many departments. They receive items directly and acknowledge them in the application system as soon as they can. It takes some time for items to appear in applications. If you do not see an item in your application 15 business days (21 calendar days) after it is submitted, contact the Graduate Admissions office.

If you contact our office seeking verification, we will not have this information. We will be only able to refer you to the Graduate Admissions office.

Application Results

COMMUNICATION OF RESULTS

When the result of an application is determined, applicants will be sent the result by e-mail, which will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the application. No automatic notifications occur about the status of one’s application until the result is determined.

WHEN RESULTS WILL BE COMMUNICATED

In most cases, Spring semester applicants can expect results between mid-October through late-November. Fall semester applicants can expect results between mid-February and late-April.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RESULTS

Sometimes, applicants whose applications are denied will ask for analysis and critique of their graduate applications or more specific reasons why the application was denied. Because of the number of applications this department receives, critiques and analyses of denied applications are unavailable.

Generally, applications that are denied either do not have the level of educational performance, credentials, or scores that are sought or that an applicant’s research interests are not compatible with the research interests of our faculty who are seeking graduate students.

Expedited Requests

If an applicant needs an expedited application result, usually because an applicant would need this department’s results before making a final choice between multiple admission offers , he or she is welcome to contact the department to request one.

Note that Johns Hopkins University and hundreds of other schools abide by the “Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants” from the Council of Graduate Schools. These schools agree to allow admitted students with financial aid offers ample time to decide which admission offers to accept, with a deadline of April 15 or later.

If you are interested in an expedited result, view the resolution to ensure that schools offering admission are not requiring an early decision date in violation of this agreement.

Visit the Johns Hopkins Full-Time Graduate Admissions “FAQ” page for additional questions and answers. If you are unable to find the answer to your questions, please contact the Graduate Admissions office for application information.

I HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE. CAN I APPLY FOR A PH.D. ADMISSION OR MUST I APPLY FOR A MASTER’S DEGREE FIRST?

Applicants who want to earn a PhD, whether or not they have a master’s degree, are encouraged to apply directly to the PhD program. Our PhD students who don’t have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering can earn the master’s degree on the way to their PhD.

DOES AN APPLICANT HAVE TO CHOOSE AN ADVISOR BEFORE THE APPLICATION IS REVIEWED?

No, but applicants are welcome to state with which faculty members they would like to work.

WILL THE DEPARTMENT WAIVE THE US $25 APPLICATION FEE?

No.  The Whiting School of Engineering will consider fee waiver requests. There is a section in the application to request a waiver.  While there are no application fees for master’s applications, the application fee is still charged for Ph.D. applications, and waivers can be requested in the Ph.D. application.

WILL THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE?

No.

CAN I APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE DEGREE PROGRAM IN MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS?

Yes. You can submit separate applications for different departments at the same time. You will have to pay each department’s application fee.

For Mechanical Engineering, you can apply for only one degree, either master’s or PhD. Applicants who want to earn a PhD, degree whether or not they have a master’s degree, are encouraged to apply directly to the PhD program.

IF I APPLY FOR THE PH.D. PROGRAM BUT AM NOT ADMITTED, WILL MY APPLICATION BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION TO THE MASTER’S PROGRAM?

Yes. All Ph.D. applicants who are not admitted to the Ph.D. program will be automatically considered for admission to the master’s program. No separate application is necessary. Those who are eligible for master’s admission will be notified of this and be offered admission if they are interested in the master’s program.

I APPLIED FOR ADMISSION IN A PAST SEMESTER, BUT WAS NOT ADMITTED. I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY AGAIN. MAY I USE MY PREVIOUS APPLICATION MATERIALS IN MY NEW APPLICATION?

Yes, that may be possible. However, a new statement of purpose is required, and it is strongly recommended to have new letters of recommendation submitted. Please contact the Graduate Admissions office to confirm if past documents are available.

THE UNIVERSITY STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A “PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATION” FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS. DOES THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRE IT? HOW WILL IT INFLUENCE MY APPLICATION WHETHER OR NOT I GET ONE?

The Mechanical Engineering department follows the University’s strong recommendation that international applicants obtain a “professional credential evaluation.” Though not required, it is strongly recommended that international applicants obtain one.

The department cannot predict the chances of an applicant’s admission based solely on his or her choice to submit a professional credential evaluation.  Because the submission is optional, not submitting a Professional Credential Evaluation will not negatively affect one’s application.

ARE BOTH A “STATEMENT OF PURPOSE” AND A “PERSONAL STATEMENT” REQUIRED?

No. The department requires only a “Statement of Purpose.” There is no set requirement for the length of the statement, though many applicants will create a statement about one to 1 1/2 pages in length.

For information on “personal statements,” please contact the Graduate Admissions office.

DO I HAVE TO UPLOAD AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT WITH MY APPLICATION?

No. You may upload an unofficial transcript or copy of your current transcript with your application. If you are admitted and you accept admission, you must arrange to submit an official transcript to the University at that time.

MY CURRENT TRANSCRIPT WILL NOT HAVE GRADES FOR MY CURRENT SEMESTER IN SCHOOL. SHOULD I WAIT TO UPLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT UNTIL THE GRADES ARE ASSIGNED?

No. Please upload your current transcript with your application, even if some grades are missing. We assume that many applicants are currently in school elsewhere and are taking classes that have not yet been graded.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE POINT AVERAGES (GPA)?

There are no minimum GPA requirements for an application to be considered.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE GRADE POINT AVERAGES?

We do not calculate average scores of applicants, nor do we release information about applicants’ GPAs. An average score would have no bearing on an individual applicant’s qualifications or chances of admission.

I SUBMITTED MY TRANSCRIPT BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE APPLICATION AS RECEIVED. WHAT DO I DO?

First, check your application in the system, as the receipt of items are updated frequently. If you submitted a transcript long ago but don’t see it, please contact the Graduate Admissions office directly. They can help determine if it was received and connect it to your application.

WHEN ARE APPLICANTS EXONERATED FROM HAVING TO SUBMIT A TOEFL/IELTS SCORE?
IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXONERATION FROM SUBMITTING A TOEFL/IELTS SCORE, HOW WILL THE EXONERATION BE NOTED ON MY APPLICATION?

The Graduate Admissions office will note the exoneration. If you do not see the exoneration within 14 days of submitting your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions office. Please do not contact the Mechanical Engineering department, as we can only refer you to Graduate Admissions.

WHO MUST SUBMIT GRE SCORES?

For the 2024-25 admission cycle, GREs are not required for any applications and will not be considered as part of the application review process.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TOEFL/IELTS?

The University prefers a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0, which our department follows.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE  TOEFL, AND IELTS SCORES FOR APPLICANTS?

We do not calculate average scores of applicants, nor do we release information about applicants’ scores. An average score would have no bearing on an individual applicant’s qualifications or chances of admission.

I WAS UNHAPPY WITH MY  TOEFL OR IELTS SCORE. MAY I RETAKE THE TEST AND HAVE THE NEW SCORE SUBMITTED?

Yes. The Graduate Admissions office will automatically connect the new score to your application once the ETS submits it. While it is recommended that the new score arrive before the application submission deadline, we will accept it after the deadline, as well.

MAY I SUBMIT THE TOEFL OR IELTS SCORE AFTER THE APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE?

Yes, though it is preferred, when possible to receive the score before the application submission deadline. For those who cannot submit it before then, because of taking the exam around the deadline date, simply have the scores sent as soon as possible using the standard process from the ETS. Please do not send a separate copy to the Mechanical Engineering department.

I ARRANGED TO HAVE MY SCORES SUBMITTED BUT MY APPLICATION STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED. WHAT DO I DO?

Upon submission of an application, the Graduate Admissions office will match TOEFL and IELTS scores to the application and acknowledge receipt. This is not an automated process but requires a staff member to manually connect scores to applications. It will take time and patience is appreciated. An application will not be negatively affected if the scores are not immediately connected to it. The scores will eventually be acknowledged.

If you do not see the scores within 10 days of submitting your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions office directly. Please do not contact the Mechanical Engineering department, as we can only refer you to Graduate Admissions.

MAY I CONTACT FACULTY TO SEE IF THEY ARE ACCEPTING STUDENTS?

Yes, but before so doing, please visit our faculty members’ homepages, and identify those faculty members whose research best aligns with your interests. Some faculty pages may answer your questions. Also, please avoid requests for pre-application screening, as we can only evaluate complete applications. Note that our Graduate Recruiting and Admissions committee takes a dim view of applicants who spam our entire faculty with form-letter emails.

I E-MAILED A FACULTY MEMBER BUT RECEIVED NO REPLY. WHY DIDN’T THEY REPLY?

We cannot guarantee that you will receive a reply from a specific faculty member. Our faculty members receive many inquiries and may not have the time to answer each one. Your application will receive our full attention – especially if you list faculty members in your application with whom you would like to work. If a faculty member sees a potential match she or he will reach out to you. If not reply is received, sending one follow-up e-mail is okay but sending multiple follow-up e-mails to faculty can be perceived as intrusive and may discourage a response.

HOW MANY APPLICANTS DO YOU PLAN TO ADMIT?

There is no pre-determined number, as it will vary from year-to-year. About 95-100% of our admissions occur for the Fall semester. Spring semester admissions, while rare, occasionally occur.

WHAT IS THE ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR APPLICATIONS?

The number of applications accepted varies from year to year and from program to program. The rate of application acceptance in previous years has no influence on the number of application acceptances in the current year as each application is considered on its own merits.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT I WILL BE ADMITTED BASED ON MY GPA OR GRE, TOEFL, OR IELTS SCORES?

We cannot predict the chances of admission for an applicant based solely on one’s GPA or GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS score. To determine an applicant’s chances for admission, a complete application is necessary, which includes not only the transcripts and exam scores but also a statement of purpose and three recommendation letters.

ARE CONDITIONAL ADMISSIONS AVAILABLE?

No, conditional admissions are not offered. Admission is determined using an applicant’s complete application and the compatibility of research and academic interests.

ARE TRANSFERS AVAILABLE?

No. Students who wish to move from another institution to Johns Hopkins University must apply for admission. Eligibility for admission is determined using an applicant’s complete application and the compatibility of research and academic interests.

CAN APPLICANTS VISIT THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE ADMISSION?

We host annual Graduate Visit Days by invitation only to certain applicants. Unsolicited requests to visit during Graduate Visit Days will not be considered.

Applicants and potential students are welcome to visit the department on their own and at their own cost, but not during Graduate Visit Days.

Pre-arranging the visits are strongly recommended. Walk-in visitors will be accommodated when possible, but only at certain times of the year. Again, pre-arranging visits are the best option.

To arrange a visit, please contact the department and provide the following information:

  • Your resume or CV
  • Your Statement of Purpose
  • Which degree(s) you would like to earn – masters, Ph.D., or both
  • Which Mechanical Engineering professors and labs you would like to visit
  • When you would like to visit
  • Any other information that you would like our professors to know before your visit
  • Any questions that you have of us.

IS THERE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE SEMESTER TO WHICH I WILL APPLY?

Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students are fully funded – tuition, health insurance, stipend, and a one-time matriculation fee – for the duration of their Ph.D. program while they are in a full-time, resident status.

  • Funding is typically offered through full-time Departmental Fellowships and Research Assistantships
  • Stipends
    • In the 2024-25 academic year, the annual stipend for the typical mechanical engineering student will be US $47,000.
    • The stipend will be determined for the future academic years later, but we expect the rate will remain at or rise above current levels.

Master’s Students
For master’s students, no funding is offered with the admission. Most will be expected to cover their own tuition and expenses. There are a few Distinguished Master’s Fellowships offered each year.

No Research Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships are offered with a master’s admission.

Visit the Student Tuition and Fees page for an idea of anticipated costs for tuition, matriculation fee, and living expenses.

Master’s Students who are Johns Hopkins Alumni
Johns Hopkins alumni returning for their master’s degree are provided a Whiting School of Engineering Dean’s Tuition Fellowship, which waives 50% of tuition for each full-time semester. This includes alumni returning after earning a BS degree or combined BS/MSE students continuing to their master’s degree.

Hopkins alumni who were undergraduate transfer students still would receive the Dean’s Tuition Fellowship, as the eight semesters from both the previous institution and Hopkins are counted to determine eligibility.

Graduate Financial Aid
Visit the Graduate Financial Aid page for information on available options to pay for education.

Teaching Assistants

  • A limited number of part-time Teaching Assistant positions based on a standard hourly rate for graduate students are available each semester that pay a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars per position.
  • Full-time teaching assistantships are not offered.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MASTER’S DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND ROBOTICS? IF I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT ROBOTICS, TO WHICH DEGREE SHOULD I APPLY?

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Master of Science in Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering. This degree offers advanced knowledge in mechanical engineering in several research areas: fluid mechanics, robotics, mechanics of materials, and biomechanics. Students can concentrate their course work and research in one of those areas or can broaden their learning experience across two or more research areas.

The Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics offers a Master of Science in Engineering degree in Robotics. This degree offers advanced knowledge in robotics with several specializations – some related but others unrelated to mechanical engineering.

The degree requirements differ between the two programs. Visit these sites for information, as they will help you decide to which degree to apply.

IF I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PH.D. STUDENT, MAY I EARN A MSE ROBOTICS DEGREE?

Yes. Most Mechanical Engineering PhD students earn an MSE in Mechanical Engineering, but some will earn a master’s degree in another field, including robotics.

Current Hopkins PhD students in other departments may be eligible to earn a MSE Mechanical Engineering. “Dual” status means that a PhD student earns a master’s degree outside his or her primary department’s PhD program simultaneously with his or her PhD work.

To apply for the “dual” MSE in Mechanical Engineering, take these steps:

  1. Visit the “Internal Graduate Applicant” page of the Graduate Admissions page for instructions to submit an application. Notify the Academic Staff that you plan to submit the application.
  2. Provide the academic staff a letter from the chair or head of the PhD department that states you are allowed to earn the MSE in Mechanical Engineering.
  3. Upload the following items to your application:
    • A new statement of purpose.
    • At least one letter of recommendation.
  4. In most cases, the academic staff will serve as the academic advisor to confirm your degree completion.

Your application will be considered for admission to the MSE program and you will be notified upon admission what steps will be needed to confirm eligibility to earn the degree.

Our full-time Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are geared toward students seeking a full-time, residential, on-campus experience.

The Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) programs are created for working professionals where a collaborative relationship between the student, his or her employer, and the Whiting School of Engineering is formed to deepen the knowledge of the student where application of that knowledge benefits both the student and the employer.

Visit the Doctor of Engineering program page and their page describing the differences between Ph.D. and D.Eng. programs.

Visit our alumni pages to see where our graduates have made their mark around the world. You, too, can join this elite group with an admission to our graduate programs!

If after viewing the webpages and links above and not finding an answer to your question, you can request additional information:

  • Contact the Mechanical Engineering Department about the Johns Hopkins Mechanical Engineering graduate program and its research.
  • Contact the Graduate Admissions office about the application process, submitting an application, technical issues on the application, and sending and verifying receipt of supplemental materials.