Recommendations and requirements

Deadline information

How to apply

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Correspondence and information

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Application information

Recommendations and requirements
Training in chemistry, mathematics and physics, as well as basic biology, is recommended for all three degree programs. Students with undergraduate majors in non-biological subjects, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, psychology and statistics are also invited to apply.

In general, our Admissions Committee is most interested in undergraduate and graduate academic performance, GRE scores, research experience, good letters of recommendation, and the academic statement.  The academic statement should demonstrate an ability to discuss your research interests, and show the depth of your understanding, as well as a passion in the larger questions relating to your area of interest. Unusually promising students whose backgrounds are substantially deficient in either the biological or physical sciences may receive special status for one or two terms in order to enable them to acquire a suitable background. 

We highly recommend that you contact faculty whose research is of interest to you, prior to applying. Also, please note that in addition to the quality of your application, our admissions committee takes into account the abilities of our faculty to mentor additional students in their labs.

Deadline information

Deadline for the Ph.D. program is December 1.

Deadline for the Frontiers M.S. program is February 1.

Deadline for the Traditional M.S. program is February 1 for the fall term and October 15 for the winter term.

All application materials should arrive by these dates to be considered for the following fall term. Students are admitted to the doctoral program only in the fall term, which begins in September. Applications that arrive after the deadline, or remain incomplete beyond the deadline, will be at a competitive disadvantage during the admissions process.

You might be eligible for a waived application fee!

How to apply
A complete application includes the following materials:

• A completed on-line application form, which includes a statement of purpose, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation with the official Rackham Recommendation Form cover sheet
  
• One set of official transcripts from degree-granting undergraduate institutions
  
• Official GRE scores (code: 1839)
  
• Official TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS scores (code: 1839)
  (only for international applicants or non-native speakers of English)
  
  

  These materials need to be sent directly to Rackham:
  

  • A completed on-line application form (no hard copies need to be submitted)
  • Official test scores (i.e., GRE, TOEFL)
    
  • One set of official transcripts from degree-granting undergraduate institutions. (Unofficial transcripts for other coursework can be uploaded through the online application form, but are not required.)
    
    
    Send Rackham materials to:
    University of Michigan
    Rackham Graduate School
    Attn: Transcripts/U-M ID# (if known) or date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
    915 E. Washington St.
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
  
  

  If your recommenders will be sending hard copies of their letters of recommendations, these need to be sent to the department:
  
  

  Graduate Coordinator
  U-M EEB Department
  2019 Natural Science Building
  830 N. University Ave.
  Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048
  
  

  For applicants who are non-U.S. citizens:
  
  • Please do not submit any financial information at this time. Providing Evidence of Financial Support (non-U.S. students only) can be found on the Rackham Graduate School Web site.
  • Please visit Submitting Transcripts and Other Supporting Documents with Your Online Application on Rackham's Web site for detailed information about submitting transcripts and diplomas.
    
    

    For more information about Rackham, the admissions process, and application information, contact the EEB Graduate Coordinator at the address listed below, or visit Prospective Students Seeking Degree Status on Rackham's Web site.

    
    

    
    Correspondence and information
    If you have questions about your application, or about EEB at U-M in general, please contact:
    
    Graduate Coordinator
    Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
    2019 Natural Science Building
    830 N. University Ave.
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048
    Phone: (734) 764-1443