Graduate School Application Process

Graduate education consists of specialized education and concentrated study in one area and relies on the following components:

• Research
• Internships
• Building on knowledge of what's known
• Creating new knowledge, facts and ideas
• Problem solving
• Individualized learning
• Adviser / advisee mentoring

Master's Degrees:

1. Professional (e.g. MSW, MBA, MEd, MPH, MArch)
   • Skills to practice a profession
   • Terminal degree
   • At Minnesota, may be offered by The Graduate School or another University college
2. Research (e.g. MA, MS, MSAeroE)
   • Thesis, comprehensive exam
   • Required for careers in some fields
   • One to two years of full-time study

Doctoral Degrees:

1. Professional (e.g. MD, JD, DDS, DVM)
   • At Minnesota, The Graduate School offers the DMA, EdD, DPT, AuD
2. Research (PhD)
   • Discovery of new knowledge
   • Four to six years of full-time study
   • Written and oral examinations
   • Dissertation

Academic Considerations:

• Most graduate schools, including Minnesota, prefer a 3.0 gpa; some schools or individual departments prefer a higher gpa
• Consistantly improve your academic performance
• Secure an internship or job directly related to your academic and career goals
• Become involved in research projects/independent study
• Qualify for an honors program, or senior research project
• Many graduate programs require multiple languages
• Take a graduate course(s)

Graduate Program Selection Considerations:

• Applicant fit or match with the program curriculum and research is critical to success in graduate study
• Quality of the faculty influences the quality of the program
• Check laboratories, research and computer facilities, libraries
• Graduates and current students: what institutions did they attend as undergraduates, how successful have they been after completing their graduate degrees
• Location: certain majors lend themselves to specific locations and environments
• Cost: availability of assistantship or fellowship money versus cost of tuition and living expenses - what is the bottom line
• Internships: what opportunities to work in the field are provided
• What is the average time required for students to complete their degree
• What placement / career services are available

Other Considerations:

• The Graduate School at Minnesota embraces the University’s position that promoting and supporting diversity among the student body is central to the academic mission of the University
• Diversity encompasses many characteristics including economic disadvantage, special talents, evidence of leadership qualities, race or ethnicity, a strong work record, and disability
• The Graduate School at Minnesota invites applicants to indicate how they’ll contribute to diversity

What is required to apply for admission to the Graduate School?

Although requirements will vary by institution, the following are generally required at Minnesota:

• Bachelor's degree (or its international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution
• Standardized test scores (e.g. GRE, GMAT)
• Letters of recommendation (usually three)
• Writing sample, portfolio or audition
• Additional graduate program application

What to do: End of Junior Year / Summer Before Senior Year

Narrow the number of institutions you are interested in:

• Consult your adviser / faculty members
• Talk to graduate students in your area of interest
• Review publications such as Peterson's Guide and U.S. News & World Report
• Make campus visits
• Consult college catalogs
• Seek alumni recommendations

Letters of recommendation:

• Carefully choose recommenders
• Avoid using "influential" people or friends
• Ask faculty members who know you, your work, goals and accomplishments
• Keep in contact with faculty recommenders during your junior and senior years
• Ask the recommenders to include specifics, such as class rank, comparison ratings or specific research experience
• Highlight accomplishments not readily seen in the rest of the application
• Give recommenders lead time / provide postage
• Arrange for one extra letter as "insurance"

What to do: Early Fall

Obtain application materials:

• Attend graduate and professional school recruiting fairs to obtain application materials
• Before attending, research schools that interest you
• Send for application materials and catalogs
• Use the Internet to locate information and obtain application materials
• Carefully review application materials for information and requirements (e.g. have you completed the necessary prerequisites or is experience required?)
• Take the GRE or GMAT if required. For information contact Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541, Phone: 609-921-9000
• Start drafting your statement of purpose
• Consider financial aid options

What to do: Mid to Late Fall

Complete application forms:

• The graduate application process is more interactive than the undergraduate process
• Follow directions / proofread
• Copy everything you submit
• Note deadlines and apply early

When the application is submitted:

• Submit application fee
• Minnesota requires payment by credit card

Transcript considerations:

• Minnesota will accept transfer work with grade on another transcript
• Minnesota will accept legible photocopies or faxes of transcripts / credentials submitted by the applicant, but official or certified transcripts / credentials must be provided before enrollment. If available, they should be sent directly from your institution.
• Students who have been previously enrolled at the University of Minnesota do not need to submit U of M transcripts to the Admissions Office.  We will obtain these for you.  Please check with your individual programs to see if they require you to submit University of Minnesota transcripts.

Statement of objectives:

• Clearly state area of interest
• State long term goals
• Opportunity to state educational / research accomplishments related to goals
• Include awards, literary prizes, publications
• Outline any teaching experience
• List language skills
• List leadership roles / volunteer work
• Focus on the positive
• Tailor to the specific program; mention faculty with whom you would like to study
• Follow directions (i.e. answer specific questions)
• Use correct paragraph construction, spelling and grammar to demonstrate writing ability
• Length: brief but informative, and stay within any stated page limits

What to do: Winter

• Final admission decision
• Financial aid awards
• By agreement of all universities in the national Council of Graduate Schools, financial aid accepted on or after April 15 is a firm commitment

Role of The Graduate School vs. graduate programs:

• Application processed by The Graduate School Office of Admissions
• Admission decisions made by graduate programs
• Official notification of admission decision comes from The Graduate School Office of Admissions

Select your graduate program:

• Program should closely match your interests-what's the best fit
• Consider the cost of living and tuition expenses vs. availability of funding
• Location
• Consider the quality of programs, rankings
• Ask faculty for advice

Following admission:

If you are admitted, we encourage you to visit campus and speak with faculty and students in your prospective graduate program. We believe this is the best way for you to assess the quality and environment of our programs.

Thank you for your interest in graduate study at the University of Minnesota.