Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is The Graduate School?
  In the Twin Cities, The Graduate School is located on the third floor of Johnston Hall, on the historic Mall. The building is situated southwest of Northrop Auditorium at the Mall’s north end. The street address is 101 Pleasant St. S.E. A map with parking and other information is available on-line.
  
  On the Duluth campus, the Graduate School office is located on the fourth floor of the Darland Administration Building, 1049 University Drive.
• How large is The Graduate School?
  The Graduate School spans both the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses of the University and is the University’s second largest college, with 9,763 enrolled students in Fall 2003. Only the College of Liberal Arts is larger, with 14,409 enrolled students. This and other interesting Graduate School facts are available on the Graduate School’s Prospective Students Web site.
• How do I get an application for admission?
  You must complete the Graduate School application online. When you submit the online application for admission, it is very important that you contact the major program to learn about additional program requirements necessary to complete the application process. If you receive an application information packet from the program, complete information including program requirements and an application for financial aid will be included.
• What are the admission requirements?
  The minimum credentials required for applying for admission are an application form, an application fee, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. However, most graduate programs will have additional requirements that may include standardized test scores (eg. GRE, GMAT), letters of recommendation, a personal statement, or a course paper you have written. You may find out about these requirements by viewing individual program web sites.
  
  The Graduate School prefers a cumulative undergraduate g.p.a. of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). However, in many programs where competition for admission is intense, admission standards may be much higher. You should consult your graduate program for more specific information.
  
  The Graduate School operational standard for English language proficiency for international students is a TOEFL score of 213, a MELAB score of 80, or an IELTS score of 6.5, but a number of programs have higher minimums. You should consult your graduate program for information about the minimum.
• What resources are available for students of color (US citizens and Permanent residents) graduate students?
  Please refer to Multicultural Initiatives where you will find the Office of Graduate School Outreach (OGSO). The Office is here to coordinate and lead the Graduate School initiatives in the recruitment, funding, retention and graduation of a diverse student body.
• What resources are available for international graduate students?
  Please refer to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The Office is dedicated to serving the University of Minnesota's international community. Its primary mission is to assist international students and scholars in successfully accomplishing the goals that brought them to the University, by using all available resources.
• What are The Graduate School and graduate program application deadlines?
  The Graduate School deadlines for applying are:
  • June 15 for fall semester
  • October 15 for spring semester
  • March 15 for summer session

  Many graduate programs have earlier application deadlines. These deadlines may be as early as December 1 for the following fall semester. For more information consult your graduate program or view the individual program web site.

• How much is Graduate School tuition and what does The Graduate School do with the tuition it receives?
  The tuition rates can be viewed at the One Stop web site.
• Why can't I register?
  The most common reasons are listed here. If none of the following apply to your situation, please contact the Graduate Student Services & Progress office at 612.625.0068.
  1. Graduate Student status has been terminated.
     The Graduate School requires registration every Fall and Spring to maintain active status. Failure to register every Fall and Spring semester will result in termination of graduate student status. To reactive the student status, a readmission to The Graduate School and a registration is required. Students are not generally admitted to a semester in progress. For further information on the readmission process and attendant paperwork, please click here.
  2. The registration period is closed.
     After the second week of courses students need Graduate School permission to register. Permission or "magic numbers" given by departments will not work. You must use the Registration Exception Request Form to add a course. For information and form, please click here.
  3. Registration in the course requires special permission.
     For restricted courses (requires instructor or departmental approval, or pre-requisites), please contact the department offering the course.
  4. A hold on the record prevents registration.
     Hold reasons and contact information are indicated on the student's record. Please work directly with the office that has placed the hold.
• How can I get involved in Graduate School and University governance?
  The Council of Graduate Students, or COGS, provides many opportunities for Graduate School students to become involved in graduate program and Graduate School governance, as well as governance at the University level. Through participation in governance, graduate students have an opportunity to help shape Graduate School and University policy on a wide variety of issues affecting graduate education and research.
  
  The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of each of the Graduate School’s degree-granting programs is automatically included in Graduate School governance by virtue of membership on one of the School’s six Policy and Review Councils. (The P&R Councils are governance committees organized by broad disciplinary grouping that review and recommend policy for graduate programs within each Council, review and recommend proposals for new and modified academic programs and graduate courses, and advise the Dean of the Graduate School on many other matters related to graduate education and Graduate School policy.) Other faculty members have input to Graduate School governance through their program’s DGS.