GEA admission requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants should submit all of their materials by Feb. 15.
Admission to the program requires:
- A Virginia Tech graduate application
- A master's degree
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed
- GRE scores
- Three letters of reference, including at least two from former professors
- A sample of a written research report to enable the Geospatial Program Committee to evaluate the applicant’s potential for research and writing ability
- A written explanation of the reason for applying to the doctoral program, including career objectives, the main area of research interest for the dissertation, and the expected research advisor (the potential advisor must have indicated they are willing and able to serve as your advisor prior to application)
- A personal CV or resume providing information on education, employment history, and professional activity
- TOEFL scores (minimum of 550 on paper version or 213 on computerized version) for international students whose native language is not English or who have not earned an undergraduate degree from an American, Canadian, or British institution
Preference for admission will be given with to those with:
- A strong background in geospatial analysis, as evidenced by the master's thesis and coursework
- A 3.2 or higher GPA from the applicant's master's program
It is helpful to have a GRE score in the 65th percentile or above in both the quantitative and verbal categories, but keep in mind that this is just one measure used to evaluate an application. Applicants have been accepted with GRE scores lower than those in the past provided that the rest of the application is strong.