Apply for Admission

The History PhD program operates under the Horace B. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. The admissions page on Rackham Graduate School's website provides detailed instructions for applying for graduate studies at the University of Michigan. In addition to the application, various supporting documents are required by the History program. All of these should be uploaded to the application. Only transcripts should be mailed to the department.

Application Process

Please do not submit an online application before September 1. Our deadline for submittal of the online application and all supporting documents is midnight (EST) December 1. This is a firm deadline. Detailed instructions may be found on our website under Application Procedures.

Step 1. Register as a prospective student: https://inquiry.embark.com/UMich/Rackham/

Step 2. Take all required tests

• Please be sure that the University of Michigan (institution code 1839) is indicated on the recipient list for all test scores (GRE, TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS) so that scores are sent to U-M electronically.
• Test results must be received by University of Michigan no later than Dec. 1. Please be aware that it can take 3-5 weeks for the electronic transmission to occur.

Step 3. Apply online

• Complete an Online Application (This will open a new secure window; you must have a valid credit card to apply)
• Register your three faculty letter-writers with the online application
• Upload your Personal Statement AND the Statement of Purpose to the online application
• Upload a writing sample
• Upload a CV
• Upload scans of transcripts

Do not mail printed copies of the application and uploaded materials—they will be received by the department and Rackham, electronically, through the online application website.

Step 4. Mail transcripts to Rackham Graduate School and UM History Department

• One set of official, final, undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts, with your degree posted
• One set of official undergraduate or graduate transcripts for programs that are underway
• Mailing addresses: For Rackham Graduate School: 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. For the History Department: Graduate Admissions, UM Department of History, 1029 Tisch Hall, Ann Arbor MI 48109-1003.

Please Note: Except for transcripts, no materials should be mailed to the History Department. Everything should be uploaded to the online application.

Questions? Email us at History Admissions