Frequently Asked Questions

Couldn’t find what you were looking for? Here is a list of questions prospective and new graduate students often ask us. If you can’t find the answer here, contact us.

• When will a decision be made regarding my admission to the ABE graduate program?

  The ABE Graduate committee meets regularly to review graduate applications. Students will be notified of their admission status as soon as the committee votes to approve or deny the application. Completed applications submitted by the stated deadlines always receive priority consideration for funding. Offers of admission do not imply funding. A separate letter of offer would follow should any funding be awarded. 

  NOTE: If you are eligible for a government scholarship or funding from an outside source, contact Daphne Flournoy at dflournoy@ufl.edu so that information can be noted on your file. If there is a deadline for you to receive an admission decision in order to receive those funds it is important that you alert us to that date.

• What should I submit with my application?

  When applying, the University of Florida requires you to submit original, official copies of your transcripts, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (if applicable).

  Official copies of these scores and transcripts should be sent to the Office of Admissions – UF Institution code: 5812. If scores cannot be sent electronically, they should be addressed to UF Office of Admissions, PO Box 114000 (201 Criser Hall), Gainesville, Florida 32611-4000, U.S.A. An online application fee is required.

  NOTE: Do not send copies of your materials to the ABE department.

  We appreciate your help in our efforts to expedite the admissions process. The University of Florida will not process any application without acceptable GRE scores and a TOEFL score (when applicable). The minimum TOEFL score required is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test and 80 for the internet-based test.

  For letters of recommendations, we recommend that you submit your recommenders through the online application system so they can submit the required letters of recommendation electronically. If that is not possible, download three letters of recommendation forms. You need to have three professors and/or employers - who can attest to your academic ability - fill one out and return it to us. Your file will not be considered by our admissions committee without three letters of recommendation. Therefore, you must ensure that your references are submitted electronically or mailed directly to our department.

  For more information on admissions, visit our admissions page and UF Admissions.

• What does it cost to apply?

  Each applicant must submit a non-refundable $30 application fee. Your application will not be processed if this fee is not paid. Highly qualified engineering Ph.D. applicants may receive an offer of a fee waiver from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, but the University of Florida and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, due to limited resources, cannot pay, waive, or defer this application fee for applicants. Remember: This fee needs to be paid online before your application can be processed.

• Will I be notified when you receive my application?

  Students should apply by December 5 for admission to the Fall semester and by July 15 for admission to the Spring semester. All students who file an electronic application will receive a confirmation email from UF notifying them that their application has been received. Students can expect to receive the email approximately 48 to 72 hours after submission.

  The Office of Admissions takes a minimum of three to four weeks to review your application materials and will suspend the review of your application until missing documents arrive. So, having all materials sent at the same time except for scores from ETS will help speed the processing of your application. This department has access to the materials that you send to the Office of Admissions. We prefer your letters of recommendation be submitted using the online system but if that is not possible then please send them directly to the Agricultural and Biological Engineering department. Do not send these to the UF Admissions Office in this case.

• What type of financial assistance is available to graduate students?

  The following is general information on financial assistance:

  A limited number of Graduate School Fellowships are available each year, along with funding provided through grants from specific faculty members. To obtain a departmental assistantship, graduate students should contact specific faculty members in areas of their research interest. If the student meets the faculty member's requirements and there is funding available, then an assistantship may be offered to the student by the department or the specific faculty member.

  See the Graduate Funding Opportunities section for additional opportunities.

  NOTE: We offer graduate programs through the College of Engineering as well as the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Make sure that you know which college you are applying for.