TRANSCRIPTS:
Q: Do I send official transcripts with my application?
A: A scanned/electronic copy of the official transcript will be used for initial review by our admissions committee. You will be required to have your official transcript sent to the Rackham Graduate School only if you are recommended for admission; please see Instructions for Submitting Transcripts. Use the Academic Records/Transcript Submission Form to submit your official transcript so that it is quickly associated with your application. Be sure to include your University of Michigan ID number on all documents. If there is anything you wish to explain about your transcript, please do so in the Statement of Purpose.
Q: Do I send official transcripts to the Department?
A: No, scanned copies of official transcripts should be uploaded with the application online and not sent directly to the department. Official transcripts from degree-granting institutions only should be mailed directly to Rackham Admissions if you are recommended for admission; see Instructions for Submitting Transcripts. Use the Academic Records/Transcript Submission Form to submit your official transcript so that it is quickly associated with your application. Be sure to include your University of Michigan ID number on all documents. If there is anything you wish to explain about your transcript, please do so in the Statement of Purpose.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA):
Q: How do I report my GPA?
A: All applicants should report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on page 5 of the online application. The GPA should be reported using a standard U.S. four point scale. Applicants who attended an institution outside the United States should follow the instructions to convert their international average grade point to a U.S. four point GPA (see "How to Convert Grades to a U.S. GPA" here).
Q: I am having trouble converting my GPA by using the Scholaro GPA Calculator. Who is the best person to contact about this?
A: If you are having trouble converting your GPA to the 4.0 scale or are unable to find your institution’s scale for your country, please visit https://www.scholaro.com/contact-us/gpa for assistance. If you have any questions regarding these materials you can reach out to rackadmis@umich.edu. It is the student's responsibility to report their GPA in the 4.0 scale.
Q: Is there a minimum GPA required to apply, and what are my chances of being admitted if I have a low GPA?
A: No. All applications are reviewed and evaluated relative to other applications submitted in the same year. Grades in relevant courses are much more relevant than the overall GPA. Applicants with relatively low GPAs may be admitted based on other factors.
Q: What is the average GPA of applicants?
A: We will use a holistic analysis of an applicant’s records. Grades in relevant courses are considered more than overall GPA.
TESTS AND TEST SCORES:
Q: Which documents or standardized tests are required for application/is the GRE required for the master's program?
A: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required to apply for admission to any of the master's programs. Students who have taken the GRE may include the test result as additional information in their application if they wish. The GRE scores that we do receive play a minor and supporting role in a holistic evaluation of the application. If you wish to submit your GRE score, submit a request to ETS to send it directly to the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan code is 1839.
Dates and places to take the examination may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service by creating a GRE account. The University of Michigan code for the GRE is 1839. The GRE scores are automatically added to applicant records as long as name and birth date can be matched. Applicants must request that their scores be sent to the University of Michigan using the code above, on the GRE website.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. We require official transcripts from undergraduate and any other graduate degree programs. Please follow the application instructions carefully.
Q: Do I need to take the TOEFL?
A: Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. You qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:
You are a native speaker of English.
You are an applicant from Puerto Rico.
You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Graduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
You are a current U-M student.
Q: Do I need to obtain a waiver or documentation to verify my English language proficiency exemption?
A: No, your English language proficiency exemption is assessed and verified when you submit your application materials. If you meet the criteria, you will be exempt.
Q: Can the English language proficiency exam be waived in certain cases for non-native English speakers?
A: Yes; please refer to these Rackham guidelines.
Q: My TOEFL score is below the minimum, but I have other evidence of English proficiency. Will my application be considered?
A: The only acceptable evidence of English proficiency is a score on a University-approved English proficiency test: see Rackham English Proficiency Requirements. If your score is below the minimum required by the University, your application will automatically be rejected. The department cannot waive this requirement.
Q: How long are TOEFL scores valid?
A: TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. We accept TOEFL scores expiring in late fall or early winter as long as the official report from ETS is received before the deadline.
Q: What is the minimum TOEFL score required?
A: The minimum TOEFL total score required is 84 on the Internet-based test.
Q: Do you accept English language proficiency tests other than TOEFL?
A: Yes, these are the accepted tests for Rackham Graduate School: TOEFL, ECPE, IELTS, and MET. Duolingo is not an acceptable test.
For full details, including minimum overall scores and how to
submit scores to Rackham Graduate school, see about more information, see Required Tests for Non-native English Speakers on the Rackham Website.
Q: What is the institution code for the TOEFL?
A: The institution code for the TOEFL is 1839.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Q: What should I do if my recommender has not received my online invitation to recommend me?
A: This tends to be a problem with a recommender's email account set up. The emailed invitation may be either blocked or automatically filtered into a junk mail folder. An applicant can check the status of their recommendations, resend a recommendation request, and even change a recommender if the recommendation is not yet started via an applicant's Personal Activity page. This page may be accessed under the Manage Your Account section of your online application homepage and by clicking on the Review Your Activity link. Once the application is submitted, the online application cannot be modified. Please refer to the application instructions for more details.
Q: My recommenders lost the email from CollegeNET (my online application) instructing them on how to submit the recommendation letter online. Can you resend the information?
A: No, we cannot. Only you, the applicant, can log back into your online application account and resend the information to your recommenders. If that does not work, then you need to contact CollegeNET directly.
Q: Can my recommender submit their recommendation via email to the department?
A: No, all application materials must be submitted online as part of the application system.
Q: Who should write my recommendation letters?
A: Your letter writers should be people with whom you have worked closely, and who are familiar with your work.
Q: I have been in the workforce for several years. Should I ask my employer or supervisors to write letters in support of my application?
A: Yes. We are most concerned with reading letters from individuals who can speak to your skills and abilities as relevant to the program. This can be from a supervisor, project lead, or anyone else who has overseen you in a professional capacity.
Q: Must all of the letters of recommendations be academic?
A: No, but the majority should be academic.
GENERAL MATERIALS QUESTIONS
Q: May I complete a paper application?
A: All applications must be submitted online. Any materials that are mailed or emailed directly to the program will not be considered.
Q: Is it possible for me to update my application after it has been submitted?
A: No, this is not possible. You should include all relevant information in your application before you submit it. We cannot revise materials via email.
Q: Can my materials be returned to me?
A: Sorry, no. We are unable to return or forward any submitted documents.
Q: Can I receive feedback on my application?
A: Unfortunately, we receive thousands of applications for less than 100 places for each program. We are not able to offer feedback on individual applications.
Q: How can I tell if my test scores and letters of recommendation were received?
A: You should be able to see if your test scores and letters of recommendation have been received and matched with your submitted application in the Wolverine Access system. If you have any further questions about your English language scores, you can contact rackadmis@umich.edu.
Q: What if my test scores or letters of recommendations are not submitted by the application deadline?
A: A completed application form and all supporting materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM (PST) on January 15 to be considered for admission. We strongly encourage students to plan ahead and get their test scores and letters submitted ahead of the deadline. For things applicants cannot control - i.e. scores and letters - it is okay if they arrive within a few days of the deadline. We encourage all materials to be received by the deadline, as review begins immediately after.
