General

I am a current MS student interested in pursuing a follow-on Ph.D.; what is the application process for me?

A student pursuing a Master’s degree in an ISyE program who seeks admission for a follow-on Ph.D. degree from an ISyE program must follow the regular admissions process for Ph.D. programs and adhere to all stated deadlines. The application requires three recommendation letters, and it is best if one of these letters is written by the student’s prospective thesis research advisor in ISyE and expresses very strong support. Such requests will be evaluated in the same fashion as for new Ph.D. applicants and typically will not be considered until the final term of the applicant’s Master’s program. To receive full consideration, applications must be received by the usual Ph.D. application deadline, which is December 15th each year for the following fall semester. Students who apply after April 1st are generally ineligible for assistantship funding. Typically, we allow fall admission only for new Ph.D. students. In some cases, internal Master’s students may be considered to begin their Ph.D. in spring, but such applicants must come with very strong recommendations from faculty as well as a guaranteed funding position.


I am a Ph.D. student in another department seeking to add a Master’s degree in ISyE; how do I apply?

Georgia Tech students pursuing the Ph.D. degree in other schools across campus who wish to earn a secondary degree within our MSCSE-ISyE, MSHS, MSIE, MSOR, or MSSTATS-ISyE programs should apply by submitting an updated CV, a letter of recommendation from the dissertation research advisor authorizing and recommending admission, a statement of purpose, and the Graduate Change/Add a Major form.  https://registrar.gatech.edu/info/change-majorlevel-form-graduate-students 

Application materials should be submitted to the ISyE Graduate Programs Manager who will seek approval from the appropriate Faculty Lead Advisor of the MS degree program and the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.  


I need Verification/Certification of my pending degree, enrollment, completion, etc. How may I obtain this document?

Verifications and Certifications should be requested through the Registrar's Office.  See here for available forms: https://registrar.gatech.edu/students/formlanding/forms_records.php


What should I write in my Statement of Purpose?

The Statement of Purpose is a critical part of the overall application package.  Applicants should state why they want to pursue a Ph.D., why they are interested in Georgia Tech, what area(s) of research interest them, and what faculty members here at Georgia Tech they are interested in working with.   


Where do I find the Doctoral Thesis deadline and other required forms?

Students should refer to the Georgia Tech Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations website for deadlines as well as other policies and required forms. http://www.grad.gatech.edu/theses-dissertations