Required Documents
You need to submit five types of documents with your application in order to be considered for admission: academic statement of purpose, personal statement, letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae or resume, and official transcripts.
Programs May Require Other Materials
In addition to the general University application documents, listed above, programs may require other materials they need for making admission decisions, such as writing samples. Review the website of the program to which you will apply. Program website and contact information can be found in the Program of Study section of our website.
Application Materials Become the Property of the University of Michigan
Application materials, once submitted as part of your application, become the property of the University of Michigan. Materials will not be returned, and copies will not be provided for applicants nor released to other institutions. Please keep a copy for your records.
Academic Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. Some graduate programs have additional requirements for the Statement of Purpose. Please consult with the graduate program for specific details.
Personal Statement
How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan? The Personal Statement may be up to 500 words long and not repeat the Academic Statement of Purpose.
Letters of Recommendation
Most graduate programs require three letters of recommendation per application be submitted. Most graduate programs prefer the electronic submission of letters of recommendation.
Transcripts
As part of the application process, you will upload scanned official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended that a Bachelor, Master, Professional, or Doctoral degree was obtained. You also must have one set of official transcripts mailed to the Rackham Graduate School.
Transcript Requirements for International Applicants
Applicants who have studied in the following countries or regions should be informed of and meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for admission consideration. The Rackham Graduate School requires…
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Your curriculum vitae or resume describes your: education, work experience, research experience, teaching experience, professional affiliations, volunteer activity and community engagement, honors and awards, and publications.
Register for Your University of Michigan Identification Number (UMID)
Benefits of Having a UMID Including your UMID on your application and required documents allows them to be matched and processed quickly. Register for a UMID Create your ApplyWeb account…
Document Upload Requirements
Documents must be uploaded as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat files (.doc, .docx, or .pdf). If your documents are in a different format please review our guide for converting your…