Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long is the ESTEEM Graduate program, and when does it begin?
A: ESTEEM is an 11-month program that begins with a 7-week summer semester in late June. After a short break in August, ESTEEM students enroll in Fall semester (late August–mid-December) and Spring semester (mid-January–April) classes and graduate in May.
Q: Is ESTEEM a professional or research master’s degree?
A: ESTEEM is a professional graduate program. Students are granted a Master of Science (M.S.) in Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship.
Q: Do you have to have a specific undergraduate degree to be admitted to ESTEEM?
A: Successful applicants are those who have a background in science, engineering, design and social sciences — such as computer science, electrical engineering, industrial design, biology, economics, data analytics, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, etc. We also admit students who do not have these type of degrees, but are able to demonstrate technical skills gained through work experience, research experience, self-directed learning, student organizations, etc. If you are interested in ESTEEM but are not sure whether you are a good fit, please contact us to discuss your situation.
Q: Do I need to send copies of my application documents to ESTEEM?
A: No. All application documentation should be submitted directly to the Graduate School via the Slate application system.
Q: Do I have to submit my application in one sitting?
A: No. You can start the application and log back into Slate to finish at a later time.
Q: I can start an application for Summer 2024 or Fall 2024. Which one should I choose?
A: ESTEEM begins during the Summer semester. Please choose the Summer 2024 option.
Q: I want to apply for the Naughton Fellowship. Are there two separate applications for the Naughton Fellowship and for ESTEEM?
A: There is no separate Naughton application, however there are some differences in application requirements. For more details, please visit this page. If you apply to ESTEEM and have earned or will earn your undergraduate degree from Dublin City University, University of Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, or University College Dublin, you will automatically be considered for the Naughton Fellowship.
Q: Is there is a standardized testing (e.g., GRE, GMAT, MCAT) requirement for admission?
A: The ESTEEM Graduate Program does not require the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or other standardized testing as part of the application process. We have had many successful ESTEEM students over the past fourteen years (an alumni base of close to 500) and have found that their standardized test scores did not always correlate with the positive impact they made in ESTEEM nor to their impressive ongoing professional accomplishments. If you feel your scores will strengthen your application, please feel free to submit them and the Admissions Committee will review them; however, the absence of any standardized test scores will not impact the overall evaluation of the application.
Q: Does ESTEEM accept unofficial or self-reported test scores?
A: Unofficial scores will be allowed for the purposes of initial evaluation by our Admissions Committee, however official copies are required prior to matriculation if admitted.
Q: How long does my Statement of Intent have to be?
A: The Statement of Intent should be no more than 500 words in length. For Naughton applicants, the limit is 900 words in length. Guidelines for the Statement of Intent can be found in the “Essay Short Answer” tab of your application. Once you upload your Statement of Intent in the “Essay Short Answer” section of the application, it will automatically appear in the “Uploads” sections as well.
Q: Do I submit my letters of recommendation?
A: Recommenders will submit the letters themselves. Add a recommender (name and email address) in the “Recommendations” tab of your application and they will receive a link directly from the application system where they can upload their letter.
Q: I completed my application, but I’m waiting for my letters of recommendation. Can I submit my application before my recommenders submit their letters?
A: Yes, recommenders can submit their letters after you submit your application.
Q: I have submitted my application to ESTEEM. When can I expect to receive an admissions decision?
A: Applicants can expect to receive a decision approximately 3 - 4 weeks after the deadline. More information about admissions status can be found by logging into the Slate Application System online system.
Q: Do admitted students receive financial aid?
A: All admitted students receive a merit-based scholarship and also have the opportunity to request additional need-based financial aid.
If your question was not answered here, please reach out to us at esteem@nd.edu for assistance. You may also want to visit the Graduate School’s FAQ page.