Admission Requirements & Checklist for
completing an ISE Graduate Application

After you review the content below, please follow this link to the Application Form for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering.

What are the minimum requirements for admission?

  • Applicants should have earned a bachelor’s degree or a degree in technology at a recognized college, university or technical institution.
  • An average GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score of 75th percentile in the Quantitative Area and Analytical Writing. The GRE exam is mandatory for most programs in the ISE Department. We do not require the GRE subject test. Test results are valid for five years.


  • The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. If the applicant received a degree in the United States, this test is waived. TOEFL test scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken.
  • The iBT (Internet based TOEFL) minimum scores for Lehigh University P.C. Rossin College of Engineering are: Reading - 20; Listening - 15; Speaking - 20; Writing - 20. The minimum composite score total - 79. Any student with one or more individual skill section scores below these targets will be required to take an English as a Second Language (ESL) course or lab work during the initial academic year, concurrent with their regular department coursework.
  • Any student with one or more individual skill section scores below these targets will be required to take an English as a Second Language (ESL) course or lab work during the initial academic year, concurrent with their regular department coursework.
  • Any student with two or more skill section scores below these targets, and a composite score below 79, will be required to attend the StepUp Intensive English Program at Lehigh. The ESL Department must be consulted regarding this requirement. The web site for ESL is www.lehigh.edu/~inesl.


  • A GPA of at least 2.75 out of a 4.0 scale or a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 on a minimum of 12 hours of graduate work at other institutions.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (in sealed envelopes direct from the Registrar at your previous institutions). These should be mailed directly to the ISE Department.
  • Two (2) letters of Recommendation - now available in an electronic version in the on-line application.

Is there a checklist for completing the application?

All applicants for the ISE Department must submit the following before the application can be reviewed:

  • P.C. Rossin College of Engineering Graduate Program Application (filled out completely, including essay). Online application available at http://www3.lehigh.edu/engineering/admissions/gradadmission.asp
  • Application fee of $75, payable to "Lehigh University", which is non-refundable and cannot be waived.
  • Two (2) letters of Recommendation are now available in an electronic version in the on line application.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (in sealed envelopes direct from the Registrar at your previous institutions).
  • GRE score - official scores reported by ETS (Educational Testing Service) to Lehigh University.
  • TOEFL score (mandatory for all international students) - official scores reported by ETS (Educational Testing Service) directly to Lehigh University.
  • Application for Financial Aid - filled out with the supporting financial documents adding up to the total estimated yearly cost as printed on the form.

  • Lehigh and ISE department codes for reporting test scores:

  • GRE scores: institutional code is 2365; department code is 1301.
  • TOEFL scores: institutional code is 2365; department code is 67.

  • The following documents are now part of the online application.

  • Resume: list in reverse chronological order education, employment (including summer work since secondary school) by University, Employer, Position/Grade and dates. Degrees earned with GPA should be noted on resume.
  • Extracurricular/community activities: major extracurricular and community activities or offices held.
  • Publications: list articles and books published, research work completed or in progress, and other creative work.
  • Membership: list membership in learned and professional societies.
  • Statement of Purpose: On a separate sheet, provide a summary of your career objectives and work experience with reference to the chosen field of graduate study.

  • Please send all documents (transcripts) directly to the ISE Department:
    Lehigh University
    Industrial and Systems Engineering
    Attn: Rita Frey
    Mohler Lab, Room 421
    200 W. Packer Ave.
    Bethlehem, PA 18015

    ISE Department graduate application deadlines

  • Fall semester (August) deadline for applications is July 15.
  • Spring semester (January) deadline for applications is December 1.
  • Deadline for financial aid for the 2012-2012 academic year is January 15, 2012.
  • April 30 is the application deadline for summer I session and May 30 is the application deadline for summer II session.

Note: Masters candidates are typically self-funded, with rare funding consideration given to candidates with outstanding scientific and/or research background. Ph.D. students may be enrolled by having their own scholarship/funding from government or private sources. Ph.D. applicants with an excellent academic and research record could receive offers of acceptance that carry full funding.


Council of Graduate Schools

The Council of Graduate Schools Resolution regarding graduate scholars, fellows, trainees and assistants.

- Students do not have to accept or reject financial offer before April 15.

- Any offer of acceptance before April 15 may be withdrawn in writing.

- If student accepts an offer and then receives another offer after April 15, a written release is required in order to “switch” to new offer.