University of Pittsburgh

Admissions and Financial Aid

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to full graduate status, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a closely related field, a minimum QPA of 3.0 (relative to a possible maximum of 4.0) in all undergraduate subjects, and a minimum QPA of 3.25 in the mathematics curriculum. It is desirable that the applicant's undergraduate background include courses in calculus, linear and abstract algebra, differential equations, and real and complex analysis. It is also strongly suggested that applicants provide their scores on the GRE General Test and, if possible, on the GRE Subject Test in mathematics.

How to Apply

Before applying, please read the descriptions of the graduate programs. Please also refer to the admission requirements.

All applicants to the program must apply online. We are not permitted to accept hard-copy applications.

The deadline for consideration for admission and financial aid for graduate
applications is January 15 (U.S. Citizens) and January 4 (international
citizens) for the following Fall semester. Late applications will be
considered as space permits. No applications will be considered for the
Fall semester after May 15.

  • $50 check or payment voucher if you chose to pay your application fee by credit card
  • Official GRE scores from ETS are optional but strongly recommended.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and institutions you have attended
  • Three letters of recommendation from evaluators who can address your potential for success in a graduate program in the mathematical sciences. The referee should use one of the following forms: DOC or PDF. Evaluators have the option of submitting the letters online.
  • A statement of purpose (intellectual and professional goals and a short essay on why you want to study in this department)
  • TOEFL scores (minimum of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based) or IELTS scores (minimum of 6.5), or Internet-based (IBT) minimum of 80, mandatory for international students. Submission of the TOEFL is a University requirement for all applicants whose native language is not English (even if English has been the medium of instruction in your courses). TOEFL scores submitted must not be more than two years old (applicants who have recently received a degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States are exempt from submission of the TOEFL). An official copy of the test score must be sent directly from ETS or IELTS to the Department of Mathematics. The institution code is 2927, and the department code is 72.
  • Non-U.S. citizens: International Graduate Student Supplemental Application Forms Academic Year 2008-09
  • Additional information for international applicants is also available.

If you are having ETS send documents directly, you will need the correct codes. The code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927. The code for GRE scores for the Department of Mathematics is 0703 and the code for the TOEFL score is 72.

The department's address:

Graduate Admissions Committee
Department of Mathematics
301 Thackeray Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260

Financial Aid

Teaching assistants and teaching fellows normally conduct six hours of undergraduate recitation and laboratory sections per week, hold office hours, and do some grading. In return, they receive tuition remission, a living stipend, and healthcare benefits. The current (2007-2008) two-term total value of a teaching assistantship is $14,485; teaching fellowship, $15,070.

Research assistantships are given by faculty members who hold research grants that include money for graduate student assistants. Therefore, duties and stipends vary. However, students receive the same tuition remission and healthcare benefits as teaching assistants. A research assistantship currently has a two-term total value in excess of $15,000.

Mellon fellowships are University fellowships that offer tuition remission and living stipends. Mellon fellows have no duties other than those imposed by their academic programs of study. Exceptionally strong second- and third-year students are encouraged to apply for these fellowships. The current two-term total value of a Mellon fellowship (2007-2008) is $17,500.