Graduate Program FAQ

AOSS graduate students are admitted through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. You are encouraged to explore the Rackham web site and familiarize yourself with the Rackham Graduate Student Handbook.

When is the application deadline for Fall 2009?

The AOSS Graduate Admissions Committee encourages all application material to be in to our offices by January 15 , 2009 for financial aid consideration, otherwise February 1, 2009. This is not a strictly enforced deadline; however, there are a limited number of financial aid opportunities. Late applicants may have a decreased chance of receiving a financial aid award, if admitted. If your application will be significantly delayed, please contact Margaret Reid to discuss your situation. The deadlines for Winter 2010 are October 15, 2009 for financial aid consideration otherwise November 1, 2009.

Where do I send the application materials?

This varies by degree. SGUS students must be current University of Michigan undergraduates and will first send applications to AOSS. MEng students, admitted through the College of Engineering, will submit applications directly to the College. Ph.D. students will submit applications to the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

Submit Academic Records to the Rackham Graduate Program and to AOSS

You must provide a set of official final undergraduate and/or graduate academic records/transcripts, with your degree posted to Rackham. Official documents must be provided from the institution awarding the degree.

Your completed online application and supporting documents (including academic records/ transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, etc.) should be SUBMITTED EARLY ENOUGH TO ARRIVE TWO TO THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE. Early submission may avoid unnecessary delays.

Please mail transcripts to:

University of Michigan

Rackham Graduate School Admissions

ATTN: Transcripts

915 E. Washington

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070

 

NOTE: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

Graduate Application AOSS Checklist:

• Submit your Statement of Purpose (or Personal Statement) with your online application.
• GRE Scores (may be mailed separately by testing center) See below for GRE Test Codes and additional information.
• TOEFL Score (may be mailed separately by testing center) See below for TOFEL/TSE Test Codes and additional information. This score is required for all non-native English speakers.
• Transcripts from all academic institutions attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. Not required for SGUS/MEng students.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or research sources should be submitted online with your application. Not required for SGUS/MEng students.

Graduate Application Rackham Checklist:

• The application page marked "Rackham".
• A $60 domestic application fee or $75, international application fee. Applications received without the appropriate fee will not be processed.
• Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended, with degree posted (international transcripts must be translated into English).
• Please include a Program Code on your application

How do I apply for financial aid?

All students, both domestic and international, admitted into the M.S. or Ph.D. programs are automatically considered for financial assistance. Graduate student research assistantships (GSRA's), graduate student instructorships (GSI's) and several fellowships are available. All forms of financial aid offer a monthly stipend, tuition and insurance for the academic year, which consists of fall and winter terms (eight months). Employment on research projects is generally available for students remaining on campus during the summer months.

You may also apply for need-based funding which is usually a student loan, through the University's Office of Financial Aid, (734) 763-6600. There are application materials required to complete this process.

Where can I find information on the cost to attend?

The Office of Registrar.

What is the required minimum GPA?

AOSS requires a minimum undergradaute GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

How many total credits are required for graduation ?

AOSS requires a minimum of 30 credits for a master's degree and 68 credits for a Ph.D.

Can you give me information about GRE requirements?

The College of Engineering requires all applicants to its graduate programs to take the GRE test. The new GRE required test scores are:

• Writing: 4 or better
• Verbal and Quantitative: 1200 or better

AOSS does not require a GRE subject test, only the general test. However, if you are very strong in a particular subject (for example, physics) then it will count in your favor if you take the subject test and score well on it.

GRE Test Codes:
0806 Planetary Science
0501 Atmospheric Science
1839 School Number

 

What is the TOEFL test? Do I have to take it?

All non-native English-speaking applicants are required to take the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) within two years of applying. Even if you are currently attending an English-speaking university, you must take this test if English is not your native language. Required TOEFL score is: 230 or better (computer test) OR 84 or better (Internet-based test).

TOEFL/TSE Test Codes:
75 Oceanography
99 Other
1839 School Number

 

Can I send photocopies of GRE andTOEFL scores for review and send official scores after the admission decision?

Photocopies cannot be considered. Official score documents must be sent.

What undergraduate prerequisites does AOSS require for admission to the graduate programs?

The prerequisite courses for admittance are:

• Four terms of calculus, including one term of differential equations
• Two terms of physics with lab
• One term of chemistry with lab
• At least one course in either FORTRAN or C computer programming

Most applicants from undergraduate engineering, science or mathematics programs will have taken these courses. Applicants from non-related undergraduate programs (for example, Art History) will be required to take these courses before applying to the graduate programs.