FIND YOUR GRADUATE PROGRAM AT SEAS
Want to learn more about graduate programs offered by the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)?
Your success as a graduate student is built upon the foundation you establish as an undergraduate. Make sure it’s a strong one.
Develop Relationships/Find Mentors
Your professors were once prospective graduate students themselves, and they are a tremendous resource for navigating the academic landscape. Go to office hours, get to know them and find out about their research. These are your potential future mentors, project advisers, letters of recommendation writers and colleagues.
Someone who shares your research, scholarly or creative interests is a good candidate to become a mentor. In many cases the professional relationship you form with your mentor will influence your entire career. A mentor not only shares knowledge and skills, but also becomes a bridge between your academic career and your future professional community.
Mentors:
- Help identify potential obstacles before they become roadblocks.
- Take an interest in your career and your personal well-being.
- Understand your academic and professional goals and help you move toward them.
Look for mentors who share some of your background and experiences, but don’t shy away from a mentor of a different race, ethnicity or gender. Consider your own strengths and know where you need help. Aim for a team of three to four mentors who can complement each other and help promote your success.
Get Involved Beyond the Classroom
Join co-curricular clubs, student teams and professional organizations. In addition to giving you opportunities to build and use leadership skills, these are great ways to create connections and get exposure in your field.
Maximize Your Experiences
Graduate programs and employers expect competitive candidates to have a minimum of two significant experiences (internships, research, volunteer work) before applying to a graduate program. Summer research is a great way to meet that expectation; it’s also a smart investment in your professional development. You’ll network, get hands-on experience, develop professional skills and contacts, and get a taste of what graduate school might be like. Be sure to summarize your research or work experiences and include them in your CV.
Application Process
Your application to an environmental master's program or other graduate program determines how well your experiences and goals match the offerings of your program of interest. Applications are reviewed as a complete package. All parts are important—with special emphasis on research experiences.
Show Your Research Potential
When applying to graduate programs, it's important to highlight the research skills and experiences that demonstrate your potential as a researcher.
Consider including experiences such as:
- Research experiences at your home institution
- Honors thesis or independent research
- Relevant summer research programs or work
- Honors program work
- Conferences (local, national, international)
- Relevant volunteer work
Academics
Undergraduate grades can be a strong indicator of your performance in graduate-level courses. Take advantage of academic opportunities to increase your knowledge and skills, including special projects, relevant classes outside your curriculum, and workshops and seminars.
Leadership and Community Involvement
Graduate programs are interested in candidates that are critical thinkers and problem solvers, but they also want scholars from different backgrounds and experiences who can bring a new light and perspective to their work. Show them you’re a well-rounded applicant who looks to make a contribution to society and expand the reach of your work.
Reviewers look for:
- Leadership experiences
- Mentoring and teaching opportunities
- Volunteer engagement
Be Confident
Think about all the things you’ve accomplished in your journey to graduate school and make sure your achievements are recognized.
- Awards or special recognition for your work
- Unique and/or prestigious academic or professional affiliations
- Publications
- Conference presentations