How to Apply

Important Deadlines:

Master's (Application fee and GRE waived)

• January 15, 2023: Final Funding Consideration Deadline for Fall 2023
• April 1, 2023: Master's Application Deadline for International Applicants
• April 30, 2023: Master's Application Deadline for Domestic (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents) Applicants

PhD (Application fee and GRE waived)

• The PhD application portal is closed for Fall 2023
• September 2023: PhD application portal opens for Fall 2024

Applications are submitted through the University of Michigan’s Rackham School of Graduate Studies online application.

Your Application Checklist

Choose your program.

• Scroll down to "Environment & Sustainability" in the Rackham Application Portal
• MS applicants choose: Environment and Sustainability MS
• MLA applicants choose: Landscape Architecture MLA
• PhD applicants choose either Resource Ecology & Management PhD or Resource Policy & Behavior PhD

Provide your transcripts.

1. All applicants must upload a scanned copy, front and back, of their official transcript/academic record issued by the Registrar or Records Office, to ApplyWeb for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned or in progress. The scanned copy of the official transcript is used for initial review by the graduate program faculty.
2. If you have community or junior college, non-degree, or study-abroad coursework, indicate this information on page nine of the application under the “Additional Education Information” section. Do not submit any transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework to Rackham unless you attended a non-U.S. institution
3. An official transcript must be submitted to Rackham only after an offer of admission is made.
4. International applicants can convert their grades to a U.S. GPA using the Scholaro GPA Calculator if your institution provides the cumulative average grade (e.g., 88/100, 8.5/10, or 4.6/5.0) on your academic record/transcript. If your institution does not provide the average or you attended more than one institution, calculate your average using the following formula for each institution you attended:

• Add all the numerical results for courses taken during your undergraduate study.
• Divide the sum total number by the number of courses taken. This is your average result.
• Take this average and convert using the Scholaro GPA Calculator.

Provide your test scores.

• SEAS no longer requires the submission of a GRE for all master's and PhD programs.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS scores, unless they meet the Rackham Graduate School criteria for an exemption.
• Additional information regarding test scores is available on Rackham’s website.

Update your resume.

Make sure your resume provides current educational information and professional experience, including dates. These dates should match your application. Including community service activities and your hobbies/interests is encouraged, as it helps us get to know you better. Your resume should be no longer than two pages.

Write your essays and share your work.

Your academic statement of purpose is your opportunity to introduce yourself to faculty and explain how graduate study at SEAS fits into your plans. Faculty members use the statements to understand your education and career objectives, as well as to see how well you write and organize your thoughts. Ideally, your statement should be concise (not more than two double-spaced pages), well-written, and describe your academic and research background, your career and educational objectives, and how a SEAS graduate program will help you meet your goals. Please indicate your planned field of study and the faculty members with whom you wish to work.

Your personal statement (~500 words) should convey how your background and life experiences—including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges—have motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. In other words, you should describe the personal journey that has led you to apply to SEAS. Please do not repeat your academic statement of purpose.

All applicants will be prompted to reply to a brief essay prompt pertaining to diversity involvement and leadership. This essay is optional, but we greatly appreciate any and all responses.

Applicants to the Landscape Architecture program may opt to submit a portfolio to highlight any previous creative design work.

PhD applicants are expected to provide a writing sample.

Choose and register your recommenders.

All applicants must register and receive letters of recommendation from three letter writers. Applicants will register their letter writers via the online application system, which will generate an emailed set of instructions (sent to each letter writer) to upload their letter electronically.

Choose your letter writers wisely! Recommendation letters are one of the best ways for the faculty and staff who review your materials to learn about your strengths and understand how you stand out. Choose recommenders who work in your area of interest and can vouch for your capacity to work on team projects and/or conduct research. Make sure your recommenders feel capable of writing a strong letter for you and give them plenty of time to complete the task (four weeks, if possible).

Know the application review timeline.

Master’s program applications will begin to be reviewed by faculty shortly after the January 15 funding deadline. Applicants with completed applications can expect to receive a decision in early March. Initial funding offers will be provided as part of this notification process.

PhD program applications will begin to be reviewed by faculty shortly after the December 15 deadline. Initial communications to PhD program applicants will be sent in early January.

Additional Considerations

Instructions for dual-degree applications

• Dual-degree students must apply to both graduate programs (e.g., MS in environment and sustainability through SEAS, and MBA through U-M's Ross School of Business).
• Each school requires a separate application and supporting materials (official transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, test scores, and letters of recommendation). In your statement of purpose for SEAS, you should indicate your interest in pursuing a dual degree.
• If you are admitted to both programs, you may choose to pursue a dual-degree program. Each school and/or program must be notified of your decision.

Application instructions for undocumented and DACA students