What is the average GPA of incoming students in the OS program?
The average cumulative GPAs of entering students from 2004-2008 ranged between 3.5 and 3.6. It is important to remember that this is an average, and there is no minimum GPA requirement. We encourage students to maintain a strong cumulative GPA in order to remain competitive with their peers, but all applications will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee, regardless of their cumulative GPA. Also remember that GPA is not the only criterion for gaining admission to the program. The Admissions Committee also reviews student performance in the three pre-requisite courses and the quality of in the essays submitted with the application.

What are the pre-requisites for applying to the program?
Psychology 111, 112, 114, or 115 and
Sociology 100, 101, 102, or 195 and
Economics 101

Can I take pre-requisite courses on a pass-fail basis?
While there is no rule against taking pre-requisite courses on a pass-fail basis, we recommend that you take these courses for a grade. It will provide the Admissions Committee with more evidence about your academic preparation for the program.

Can I transfer in my pre-requisite courses from another institution?
Yes, transfer and AP credit may be used to fulfill prerequisites. For transfer credit, applicants must provide OS with original transcripts from any institution if the courses taken at that institution were transferred to the University of Michigan. The rigor of the institution from which the courses are transferred may be taken into account in the admissions process.

I don’t have all my pre-requisite courses completed. Can I still apply to the OS program?
Applications will only be accepted if at least two of the required three pre-requisite courses have been completed and the student is enrolled in the third pre-requisite course at the time of application. We strongly encourage students to have completed all three pre-requisite courses before the application deadline. This provides the Admissions Committee with the most complete picture of candidates’ preparation for the OS program.

Will taking a lot of OS courses before the application cycle increase my chances of admission to the program?
Although consideration is given to any concentration courses or other related courses already taken by a student, this does not guarantee admission to the program. Students should be advised to take courses that would meet requirements for distribution and for other concentrations besides OS.

I am a transfer student. Can I still apply to OS?
Yes, transfer students may apply to OS, provided they have completed all pre-requisite requirements for application. In addition, they must provide OS with original transcripts from any institution attended, if the courses taken at that institution were transferred to the University of Michigan. Transfer students must also be aware that if they are accepted, this may mean a delay in graduation time, as the program requires a minimum of three semesters on the Ann Arbor campus, beginning with the Fall semester following their admission to the program. We advise transfer students to communicate the fact that they are a transfer student when they submit their application.

How can I make myself an outstanding candidate for the OS program?
The Admissions Committee seeks candidates who have a passion for the study of organizations and who have demonstrated academic preparation for the rigor of the program. In making its decisions, the Admissions Committee takes on a holistic approach when looking at applications. Each aspect of the application from overall academic performance to the quality of the essay is given equal consideration. Admission is highly competitive. There is no exact “formula” for acceptance.

What other materials and documentation should I submit with my application?
Letters of recommendation or another other documents are not required for the application. If submitted, these materials will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee, but given the large volume of applications submitted each year and the short time frame allotted for review of applications, we can not guarantee that these documents will be reviewed by the Committee.

What else can I do to prepare to apply to the OS program?
The best things you can do to prepare are to perform as well as possible in your courses and give a good amount of time and attention to your essay question response.

It is also strongly recommended to develop a “Plan B”! Consider what other concentrations interest you. The admissions rate for 2008 was 32%. That means that 68% of OS applicants had to select an alternate concentration. When planning your classes before applying to OS, make sure that your choices will fit not only OS requirements, but also help you get situated to pursue another major of interest to you. In this way, you can be moving forward with more than one concentration and not need to play “catch up” in another concentration if you are not admitted to OS.

Must I forward my application materials to the OS program together or can I send parts separately?
We encourage students to send application materials as soon as possible in order to assist us in processing the applications. We request that students forward UM transcripts as soon as their Fall grades are posted. This can be done online through Wolverine Access. Students are welcome to forward their transcripts from other institutions during the fall semester preceeding the OS application deadline. It is important to request transcripts from other institutions far in advance of the deadline, as it may take weeks for the transcripts to be sent. Please have all application materials sent to:

Interdisciplinary Program in Organizational Studies
713 Dennison Building
500 Church St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1042

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When will I find out about the results of my application?
Students will be informed about the admissions decision (by email and formal letter) typically before spring break. Admitted students will be required to attend an evening orientation meeting shortly after spring break.

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When should I apply to the OS concentration?
The OS Program admits students once a year, in January. You should plan to apply in the winter term of your sophomore year. To apply, you must have completed at least two of the three prerequisites and be enrolled in the third. Please also note that you may apply to the OS Program only once.

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If there are additional things about me that I'd like the admissions committee to consider, may I attach other materials to my application?
Applicants may submit any additional materials with their application. However, due to the volume of applications that are submitted, the admissions committee may not look at any additions to the applications unless it is necessary.

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I'm considering applying to the Organizational Studies Program, and I've read through all the web site materials. What is the best way to obtain further information?
Each semester, the Organizational Studies Program conducts a "General Information Session." Attending this session will allow you to meet program faculty, staff, and students, hear a presentation about the program and the admissions process, and participate in a question and answer session. If you are not able to attend the session, you can make an appointment to meet with Jessica Santos, our Student Services Coordinator, or with the OS Peer Mentors online. To get to the on-line advising calendar, go back to the Organizational Studies home page and to the right of the photo there is a box that gives the link to our on-line advising calendar.

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Advising FAQs

How do I make an appointment to see a program representative?
Prospective concentrators can make an appointment to meet with our Prospective Student Advisor, Jessica Santos, or our Peer Mentors via our online advising appointment scheduling system, located in the top right hand corner of the front page of our website.

Current concentrators may also use this online scheduling system to make a scheduled appointment with Cathy Philbin, the concentration advisor. Please note that Cathy is in the office on a part-time basis, so it is important to schedule appointments as far in advance as possible, especially during the busy registration period.

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Can AP credit be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements?
Yes, AP credit can be used to fulfill prerequisite course requirements.

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Can transfer credit be used to fulfill prerequisites and other program requirements?
Yes, transfer credit may be used to fulfill either prerequisites or program requirements. However, there is a limit of three transfer courses that may be used to fulfill concentration requirements (not including prerequisites). Your transcript must show that transfer credit has been awarded for the specific course requirement you wish to fulfill. If general or departmental transfer credit is awarded for a course you have taken elsewhere, you may bring the course description to Cathy for review and possible inclusion in your OS program. Please visit the Undergraduate Admissions Office (1220 SAB) for additional information on transfer credit. Please be aware that a maximum of 60 transfer credits are allowed to count toward your LSA degree. Also be aware that once you reach junior status at UM (55 or more credits), you may not transfer credit from a community college.

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Once I am accepted into the Organizational Studies concentration, do I still need to maintain contact with my general LSA/Honors/RC advisor?
Yes, you should check with both your general advisor and your concentration advisor at least once each term. Cathy can help you plan and document completion of your concentration, and your general advisor will check all LSA general requirements you need for graduation (distribution, foreign language, etc.).

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Are there any OS courses that fulfill the LSA Upper Level Writing Requirement?
Yes. ORGSTUDY 310, Formal Organizations and Environments, will fulfill the ULWR. Since all OS students are required to take OS 310, you should not need to search for other ULWR courses. Please be aware that you must have already completed the first-year writing requirement in order to receive credit for the ULWR requirement.

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Are OS courses offered in the Spring and/or Summer terms?

You may occasionally be able to find courses in the OS curriculum that are offered in the spring or summer, but you should be aware that offerings are very, very limited. If there are no appropriate OS courses available at UM for you to take, you may want to look at other 4-year institutions in the metro Detroit area or close to your hometown. You may also wish to consider completing an independent study (ORGSTUDY 499) during the summer months. Lastly, if you are not able to find any way to complete OS requirements in the spring or summer, you may want to focus on completing your LSA general requirements instead.

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Are there special issues for study abroad credit?
If you are planning to study abroad, it is suggested that you talk with Cathy as early as possible. OS is a long concentration, and if you will be off campus for a term, it is important to plan ahead!

The only term for which study abroad is problematic for OS students is the fall term of the senior year. ORGSTUDY 410 Field Research is the course that most OS students take to fulfill their research requirement in OS, and it is available only in the fall term of senior year. ORGSTUDY 490 Advanced Research Team also can fulfill the research requirement, but is offered on a more sporadic basis. If you are considering being off campus in the fall of your senior year, you should see Cathy as early as possible for curriculum planning.

When you choose a study abroad program, first check with the Undergraduate Admissions Office credit evaluators to be sure your study abroad credits will be accepted at UM (this is not necessary if you be attending a UM program). After checking with the credit evaluators, follow the directions below for petitioning credit to count in your OS concentration. You may also want to see your LSA advisor to determine which courses may be able to count for distribution.

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Can transfer credit be used to fulfill program requirements?
Yes, transfer credit, including study abroad credit, may be used to fulfill program requirements. However, there is a limit of three transfer courses that may be used to fulfill concentration requirements (not including prerequisites). First, you must check if the course is transferable to UM, and information can be obtained at the Undergraduate Admissions Office (1220 SAB). There is a helpful transfer credit website. Please also be aware that a maximum of 60 transfer credits are allowed to count toward your LSA degree, and that once you reach junior status at UM (55 or more credits), you may not transfer credit from a community or junior college.

Once you have received verification from the Admissions Office that the course will transfer to UM, you can check the OS curriculum list. If the Admissions Office indicates that the course you plan to take is exactly equivalent to a course on our curriculum list, then you can be sure the course will fulfill your OS requirement, and you just need to give Cathy a copy of the Admissions Office form. If the course transfers only as "departmental" credit, you may petition to have the course count in your OS concentration. See the instructions for petitioning below.

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If I wish to count a particular course in my OS concentration, but it is not listed as part of the approved curriculum, can I petition to have it count?
Yes, you may petition to make substitutions in the curriculum. Email Cathy with the following information:

• Department, number, and title of the course;
• Term you wish to take the course (or that you took it, if already completed);
• Brief description of the course;
• Name of your pathway and brief paragraph on how this course fits in to your pathway and why you think it should count toward your OS concentration.