Application for Admission to the Ph.D. Program
Application/Admissions Procedures
Applications and all supporting materials for admission must be received by February 15th for the following autumn, applications received after that date may not receive full consideration. Our programs normally begin in the autumn quarter only each year - students cannot begin their program mid-year.
Complete the on-line application, and then send all transcripts to Student Admissions, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago. If you are an International student, an official TOEFL score report needs to be provided to us by ETS (our code is 8503). If you are providing GRE scores, an official GRE score report needs to be provided to us by ETS (our code is 8503).
Admission Requirements for All Applicants
Applicants should hold an American Bachelor's degree or an equivalent foreign degree requiring at least sixteen years of primary, secondary, and university education. Applicants should have achieved basic competence in their fields, with excellent academic records. Student admission will be determined after TTIC faculty members review the applications and determine a candidate's academic ability, strength in previous academic pursuits, and motivation to perform research. Applicants who hold a Ph.D. degree from another institution will not normally be admitted.
You may also submit GRE scores as part of your application. Taking the GRE general and/or subject exams is optional, but may aid in gaining admission to TTIC. In any case, if you report GRE scores in the webform you MUST also request ETS to officially report your scores to TTIC.
Required Documents for Applicants
Additional documents may be requested by TTIC upon review of your original application and document submittal.
The required documents are:
- The Application for Admission.
- Transcripts and Certificates of Records. All applicants must submit official academic records (transcripts) with grading scales for each year of post-secondary education (college or university), as well as official copies of degrees awarded. Request the Registrar of each college or university you have attended to provide you with official transcripts in sealed envelopes; include them unopened with your application. If work is in progress, you should submit a supplementary transcript at the end of the term. If transcripts show degrees awarded, diploma certificates need not be submitted.
To be acceptable, copies of credentials must be validated with an original and legible seal or stamp by a school administrative officer such as a Registrar or an official of the issuing body. True copies prepared and signed by faculty members, city or government officials, notaries public, the Fulbright Commission or any other agency are not considered official. If institutional policies require submission of official transcripts directly to the Institute they may be mailed to TTIC. Photocopies of transcripts are not acceptable and records sent by fax are not acceptable. (See Important Additional Information for Foreign Applicants on page 3 regarding transcripts from foreign institutions). - Letters of Recommendation. Letters of Recommendation for the applicant should be submitted by at least three individuals qualified to evaluate your academic achievements and potential for graduate study. Recommendations from college instructors are preferred; if that proves difficult, you may also request letters from employers, supervisors, or professional associates. Recommenders should electronically submit letters to TTIC. If it is absolutely necessary to send it in the mail, please have them sent to:
Student Admissions
TTIC
6045 S. Kenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637 - English Language Requirement. All applicants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See minimum score requirements below under "Information for Foreign Applicants".
- Please have an official TOEFL score report sent directly to TTIC (code 8503). Please include a photocopy of your TOEFL scores with your application.
It is the applicant's responsibility to see that all credentials, including any materials being forwarded under separate cover to the Institute, arrive on time. Incomplete applications will be evaluated on the basis of materials received at the time of the regular review process. Applicants are encouraged to make photocopies of materials submitted. Applicants currently residing outside the U.S. should send all supplemental application materials via air mail.
Credentials of non-matriculates and applicants not admitted are retained for one year; if the application has not been reactivated by the end of that period all materials are removed from our files.
The TTIC course catalogue is available on-line at www.ttic.edu.
Graduate Student Support
The tuition ($30,000 per year) will be paid from faculty research funds. TTIC guarantees tuition support plus a monthly stipend for a period of four years provided the student maintains residency at TTIC and remains in good academic standing.
Read more about TTIC's policy on Institute Support for Students With External Support.
Important Information for Foreign Applicants
Applications for admission must be received by February 15th for the following autumn, applications received after that date may not receive full consideration. Our programs normally begin in the autumn quarter only each year - students cannot begin their program mid-year.
Applicants from countries outside the United States should submit official records of all university courses and examinations taken, with grades received in each. The documents should be issued in their original language AND be accompanied by official English translations of those documents. If your school does not issue official transcripts in English, you should send the original transcript AND and an English translation. The translation should be prepared or verified by a school official or faculty member proficient in both the original language and English, or an official translation service or notary.
Additional documents may be requested by TTIC upon review of your original application and document submittal.
If detailed transcripts are not available, the certificates must be accompanied by official statements showing the class or quality of degrees or diplomas, and marks received on degree examinations as compared with the maximum marks obtainable. If the schools that you attended are no longer in existence, or if it is impossible to obtain official documents from any schools, please ask the Ministry of Education in your home country to furnish an official statement testifying to the impossibility of obtaining records. The Ministry should also be requested to supply TTIC with a list of courses ordinarily followed in the school or university.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are international students and have not studied for at least one academic year within the last five years in a school in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or an English-medium university in Canada or South Africa, must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
To be successful in the academic program, it is essential that each graduate student is competent in understanding and communicating in English. The assessment of English competency will be made based on two factors: 1) the TOEFL score and 2) candidate interviews. The minimum TOEFL score to be considered for admission is 85 on the internet-based test (iBT) and 563 on the paper-based test (PBT). Please note that the computer-based test results are no longer valid (see the TOEFL website for more information).
The English language requirement may be waived if the applicant is a native of or studied in full-time status for at least one academic year within the last five years in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or English medium universities in Canada or South Africa. Students who studied in English in other countries, for example, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc., are not exempt from the English language requirement.
If you have further questions, please contact the Administrative Offices of TTIC, 6045 S. Kenwood Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60637. Telephone is 773.834.2500.