Graduate Programs

Admissions

PhD in Biomedical Engineering

While no single factor or score can characterize an applicant's probability for success, the following benchmarks may prove helpful.

Successful U.S. applicants typically have average undergraduate GPAs of approximately 3.60 (Prior graduate school GPAs, if applicable, are higher).

In the case of international students, successful applicants are typically in the top 5% of their graduating class, or higher, depending on the prior institution. Target GRE scores are 550 and higher for verbal and 750 and higher for quantitative.

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, the following forms are required to be completed by all applicants:

  1. Complete the electronic application (Paper applications have been phased out).
  2. Submit an non-refundable application ($60 for us citizens and permanent residents and $75 for international applicants).
  3. Submit an online statement of approximately 300-500 words concerning your purpose for undertaking or continuing graduate study, your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue, and your professional plans, career goals, and research interests. You also may explain any irregularities or special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your special abilities, awards, achievements, scholarly publications, and/or professional history.
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for degree seeking applicants. The people submitting recommendation letters on your behalf may send their recommendations to Purdue University through the online recommendation system (preferred) or via paper. For recommenders wishing to complete a paper recommendation, please send the Graduate School recommendation form (PDF and Word).
  5. Two official transcripts from each college or university you have attended must be submitted.*
  6. Official TOEFL Score reported electronically by ETS, or Official IELTS Score reported to the Purdue University Graduate School. International degree-seeking applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores for Purdue University Graduate School admission. Your application is not complete until your TOEFL scores are received directly from ETS or your IELTS Scores are received from the Purdue University Graduate School. **

*NOTE: If colleges or universities attended do not provide transcripts in English, then official, original (native) language transcripts must be accompanied by certified English translations. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. For completed degrees, if your transcript does not clearly indicate the date and from where the degree was obtained, you must also include a copy of the original degree certificate. This most often pertains to transcripts sent from universities in China and India, where degree certification is usually not indicated on the transcript. As with transcripts, if foreign institutions do not provide the degree certificate in English, then a copy of the original (native) language degree certificate must be accompanied by a copy of certified English translation. Transcripts cannot be returned. Transcripts should be mailed directly to the Weldon School.

**NOTE: Official TOEFL Score reported electronically by ETS to the Purdue University Graduate School. International non-native speakers of English must achieve a TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the paper-based examination or 213 or higher on the computer-based examination to be considered for admission to a degree program. These scores will only be accepted for up to two years after the date they were taken. For the new Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), non-English speaking applicants are required to have a minimum score in each of the four test areas as follows: Writing 18, Speaking 18, Listening 14, and Reading 19. An overall minimum score of 77 will be required. Purdue University's code for the TOEFL is 1631.

Official IELTS Score reported by IELTS International to the Purdue University Graduate School. International applicants must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 or higher to be considered for admission into the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Have scores sent to the Graduate School at Purdue University.

You can check the status of your application online at the Graduate School Application website or inquiries can be sent to WeldonBMEGrad@purdue.edu. All records submitted by and on behalf of an applicant become the property of Purdue University and cannot be returned.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for receipt of a completed application (online application submitted, fee paid, and all required official documents received in the Weldon School) for priority consideration of admission and financial support is December 15.

Please note that our program has NO spring or summer admissions.

Our Graduate office will answer any questions that you may have. Please contact us at:

Biomedical Engineering Graduate Office
Purdue University
206 S. Martin Jischke Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2032
Phone: 765-494-2982
Fax: 765-494-1193
Email: WeldonBMEGrad@purdue.edu