Graduate Application FAQ
Q: What is the deadline for submitting an application to Chemistry?
International (non U.S. citizens) Applicants - December 15th
Domestic (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) Applicants - December 31st
Q: What are the department and institution codes?
The U-M Institution code is 1839 for GRE and TOEFL scores. You do not need to include a department code.
Q: Do I need to take the Subject GRE?
The subject GRE is optional/not required.
Q: What are the average GRE scores?
Although there is no required minimum GRE score, average verbal and quantitative scores of admitted students are within the 86-88th percentile."
Q: What is the required GPA?
Although there is no required minimum GPA, admitted students have an average GPA of 3.8.
Q: Do I need to take the TOEFL test?
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. They are required to submit a TOEFL score unless they will graduate with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. TOEFL scores are valid for two (2) years.
Q: What are the required minimum TOEFL scores?
The minimum scores needed to be approved for admission by the Rackham Graduate School are:
• 23 reading
• 23 listening
• 17 speaking - Actual average score of applicants is 23-24
• 21 writing
• 84 totalApplicants who score above the minimum scores indicated above but below the following scores may be required to take an English language course prior to class registration.
• 26 reading
• 26 listening
• 23 speaking
• 27 in writing
• 102 total
Q: Can I get a fee waiver?
There are application fee waiver opportunities for US citizen and permanent resident applicants.
Q: What is an official versus unofficial transcript?
In order to be considered official, all academic records/transcripts must bear a seal and a signature in ink of an authorized official of the institution (such as the Registrar or Recorder of Records). Official documents must be sent from the institution awarding the degree. Academic records certified by notary publics are not official. For your convenience, we offer the ability to upload unofficial transcripts within the online application.
• This transcript will be considered unofficial.
• The graduate program's admissions committee is able to make a decision based upon your submission of an unofficial electronic transcript(s).
• When submitting unofficial transcript(s) online, upload the front and back of the transcript(s).
It is your responsibility to request the release of OFFICIAL transcripts from the institutions involved. You will NOT be required to submit a hard copy of the official transcript(s) to Chemistry. Hard copies of official transcript(s) only are required to be sent to the U-M RackhamGraduate School along with the following form to:
Rackham Graduate School
Attn: Transcripts/U-M ID# (if known) or Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
915 E. Washington Street
Ann Arbor MI 48109-1070 .
Q: How many students apply to Chemistry each year?
During a typical application season we receive more than 650 applications.
Q: How many students are accepted to Chemistry each year?
The Chemistry class size averages between 40-50 students per year.
Q: How many international students are accepted to Chemistry each year?
On average 20% of our incoming students are non US citizens.
Q: How many students is faculty member ______ accepting in their lab next year?
Students do not join labs until after they have completed their first year in the program. The number of students a professor can accept varies from year to year, so we do not have this information in advance. You should include the names of three UM faculty whose research interests you in your research statement, but contacting faculty before you have been admitted will not secure you a position in their lab.
Q: How do I check that my application materials have been received?
To verify submission of your application, transcripts or test scores, you must create a ‘Friend’ account. Please see this link for information on how to establish your account .
To check on the status of your recommendation letters, login to your ApplyWeb account (the one you created to fill out your application) and check the ‘Activity’ page.
Q: When will I know if I’ve been accepted?
Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The Chemistry Department will contact you once a decision has been made. Please DO NOT contact the Rackham Graduate School with inquiries on the status of your application, as they do not know the answer to that question. If you have not yet heard from the Chemistry Department regarding your application, a decision has not yet been made. Please be patient. Thank you.