Admission Requirements
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- The minimum TOEFL score TOEFL score is 80 on the IBT, 213 on the computer-based test and 550 on the paper-based test
- The minimum IELTS score is 6.5
Applications to the department of Geology & Planetary Science must be completed online. For full financial consideration for the Fall term, completed applications must be received by January 15th. An application is considered complete when the department has received all application materials. For a full description of required application materials, please see the chart below.
Prospective students are encouraged to make any inquiries concerning special interests directly to the faculty members with whom they would most closely work. http://www.geology.pitt.edu/people/faculty.htm
Required Application Materials:
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Material
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Requirements
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Application Fee
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Fifty dollars ($50 U.S.) payment can be made electronically along with the online application, or by mailing a check to the department. Checks should be made payable to the "University of Pittsburgh" and mailed with a copy of the payment voucher from the electronic form.
The University of Pittsburgh waives the application fee for McNair Scholars. If you are a McNair Scholar, and are completing the online application, choose the payment option to "mail your check." Send a printed copy of your payment voucher to the department with "McNair Scholar" written on the voucher. Do not send a check.
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Application Form
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Complete the online form. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
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Personal Statement
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A personal statement is a statement which should discuss the applicant's intellectual and professional interest in graduate study in the geosciences. This statement is a critical component of the application and carries significant weight in admissions decisions. (Usually 1 page )
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Official GRE General Aptitude Test Scores
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Scores should be no more than two years old. The GRE should be taken soon enough for results to reach the department of Geology & Planetary Science before January 15. Submit to the University of Pittsburgh School Code 2927.
A cumulative GRE score typically greater than 1200 (verbal and quantitative) and a 4.5 in analytical writing.
GRE scores are not required for applications to the Professional Science Master's in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing.
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Official Transcripts of all Undergraduate and Graduate Work
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Mail to the department
A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Three Letters of Recommendation
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Referees may submit their recommendation letters and Recommendation Cover Form either electronically (instructions are included with the online application), by e-mail (granahan@pitt.edu), or by mail to the department.
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Writing Sample
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A sample of your writing (no more than 25 pages) is required. Papers submitted will not be returned. Your name should be clearly indicated on the first page.
Papers should be mailed to the department.
Writing Sample is not required for applications to the Professional Science Master's in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
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International Applicants should also include the following:
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Official TOEFL or IELTS scores
(Non-native English speakers)
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Submit to the University of Pittsburgh School Code 2927.
- The minimum TOEFL score TOEFL score is 80 on the IBT, 213 on the computer-based test or 550 on the paper-based test.
- The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.
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International Graduate Student Supplemental Application Forms
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Academic Year 2012-20113 (PDF)
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The University of Pittsburgh considers applications for admission throughout the year. However, the department of Geology & Planetary Science commits all teaching assistantship/fellowship funding prior to the beginning of the fall term for the full academic year. Applications received after the January 15th deadline and spring applications will be considered if funding is available.
Specific questions about the application procedure should be directed to the departmental academic affairs secretary, Shannon Granahan at 412-624-8779 (granahan@pitt.edu).
Mail supplemental application materials to:
University of Pittsburgh
Department of Geology and Planetary Science
Attn: Shannon Granahan
200 Space Research Coordination Center
4107 O'Hara Street Pittsburgh, PA 15260-3332
Additional information
· Geology and Planetary Science MS Program Requirements (PDF)
· Geology and Planetary Science PhD Program Requirements (PDF)
· The Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
· University of Pittsburgh Graduate Studies
