Application Process

Sections

• Online Application
• Subplans
• Transcript
• Application Statements and Resume
• Letters of Recommendation
• Test Scores
• Track Application Materials
• After Admission Decision

The application review process for Aerospace Engineering (AERO) Master’s of Science in Engineering (MSE) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduate programs is managed by Rackham Graduate School and the Aerospace Engineering graduate program.

Find out more about our admissions guidelines and admission requirements for international students.  The online application and application materials are submitted to Rackham.

Application Materials

Online Application

Name

The name used on the application should be your full legal name as it appears on your passport or other legal documents.  It is very important to note any other name that appears on prior academic records or test score reports.

UMID number

UMID (University of Michigan identification) number will be emailed to you within five business days after completing page 5 of the online application. Please note your UMID number on all your application materials to ensure accurate and timely processing. If you need to submit your application before you receive your UMID number, please note your date of birth and the program’s name (ex. AERO MSE) on your application materials.

Subplan selection

On the master’s application, choose one of three fundamental areas as your subplan.  Although the master’s program is a multi-disciplinary program with the opportunity to explore all three areas, this choice will be used in matching admitted students to faculty academic advisers.

PhD applicants should explore the research areas and the faculty working in each research areas.  On page 3 of the PhD application, choose one of twenty research areas as your primary subplan.  On page 9, indicate your second and third subplan preferences, as well as, up to five faculty members with research of interest.

The Graduate Admissions Committee considers the abilities of our faculty to mentor additional students in their labs.  A PhD applicant will only be admitted if there is a match of interest with faculty member(s).  You are not required to find a faculty advisor before applying.  But, we recommend that applicants to the PhD program contact faculty whose research is of interest.

Transcript

Submit a transcript from every school where a bachelor’s, master’s or professional degree was awarded.  The Graduate Admissions Committee recognizes applicants may still be enrolled and transcripts may not include the current semester’s grades.

Submitting your transcripts is a two-step process:

1. Scan your transcript (or academic record) which bear the school’s seal and signature of the Registrar.  Then upload the transcript at page 5 of the online application. The Graduate Admissions Committee evaluates this transcript during their preliminary review.
2. Request that your school’s Registrar send an electronic official transcript (e-transcript) to racketranscripts@umich.edu.  Include a Transcripts/Academic Records Submission form, if possible.
   • • Allow time for official transcript to be received, matched with your application and evaluated by Rackham before the application deadline.
     • If your school is unable to send an e-transcript, then see Paper Transcript Instructions.
     • If you attend international school, read more about the particular requirements for non-US institutions.

Have you received my transcript?

Our department cannot confirm that transcripts mailed to Rackham Graduate School have been received. It typically takes a minimum of five business days for Rackham to upload transcripts after they have been received. See: Track application materials

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Application Statements and Resume

The academic statement of purpose, personal statement, and curriculum vitae (CV) or resume together give a fuller picture of your interests, motivations, and experiences to the Graduate Admissions Committee.

Academic Statement of Purpose

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be a concise, typically no more than two pages, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. You can include information about potential research labs and faculty advisors in this statement.

Personal Statement

The Personal Statement should respond to the question: 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? In this statement you can note additional information or extenuating circumstances specific to your situation. The statement should be about 500 words and different than the Academic Statement of Purpose.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

The resume/ curriculum vitae is included in your application and should describe your education, work experience, research publications, teaching experience, honors and awards. We recognize that your resume represents a snapshot of your experiences when you submit your application. Although your experiences may change, the application is not updated after it has been submitted.

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Letters of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation should be current and written for purpose of the applicant’s program. Three letters are required for the PhD or MSE application.  Only two letters are required for a SUGS application.

Who should write my recommendations?

At least two of the three letters of recommendation should be from faculty who can speak to the applicant’s academic and research experience. One letter may be from a non-academic reference, such as an employer, especially if the you have been out of school for several years.

How do I register my recommenders?

Register your recommenders on the online application, being careful to correctly spell the recommender’s name and email. Each recommender will receive an email notification to complete the recommendation form through ApplyWeb. You may register your recommenders in ApplyWeb before completing your application by selecting “Submit Recommendation Request”. Then you may continue to work on the application.

What does it mean to waive your right?

Waiving your right to access a recommendation means that you will not be able to view the letter. It is advised that applicants check the waiver box “YES” for each recommender because many recommenders will not submit a letter if you select “NO.”

Have my letters been received?

Check the status of your letters of recommendation using the ApplyWeb Activity Page or track application materials.

What if my recommender has not submitted my letter yet?

• Verify that the emailed invitation was not blocked or filtered into a junk/spam mail folder by your recommender’s email provider.
• Resend the notification email to your recommender using the ApplyWeb Activity Page.
• Applicants may change a recommender unless the recommender has already started the recommendation.

Will you accept letters that arrive after the application deadline date?

Yes, we will accept letters that arrive after the deadline date.  However, please keep in mind that we still need to receive the missing letter in order to completely review your application and applications missing a letter will be at a competitive disadvantage during the evaluation process.

Can my recommendation be emailed?

We strongly prefer that all recommendations be submitted electronically. If it is necessary for a letter of recommendation to be submitted by other means, please contact Kathy Miller, Graduate Admissions Coordinator. She will contact the recommender and request the submission of the letter and Recommendation for Admission form.

• Rackham’s Letter of Recommendation Information

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Test Scores

The GRE and TOEFL tests’ reporting code is 1839 (a department code is not required).

GRE

GRE scores are required to be submitted. GRE scores of up to five years old, as of the application deadline, may be used. See Academic Background of Applicants for information about the typical test scores of admitted students.

TOEFL/IELTS Information

TOEFL (IBT) minimum score is 84. English language proficiency scores of up to two years old, as of the application deadline, may be used.

• Rackham’s English proficiency requirement.

Track application materials

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to application status inquiries. Applicants are able to check the status of application materials.

• Please wait five days after creating your account in Wolverine Access.
• Please allow several business days after BOTH your application AND your transcript/scores/letters have been submitted for materials to be processed and matched to your application.
• Log into your U-M Friend Account in Wolverine Access and select “New & Prospective Student Business” to view the status of:
  • Test (GRE, TOEFL) scores
  • Official transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation

What do I do if my materials have not been received by Rackham?

If it has been more than five business days since your materials and application were submitted to Rackham, then email Rackham rackadmis@umich.edu. Include in your email:  your UMID, AERO graduate program (MSE or PhD) and GRE/TOEFL information (a scanned copy of your ETS report) OR transcript information (name of school, spelling of your name by the school, whether sent electronically/mail).

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After admission decision

The AERO Graduate Admissions Committee and Rackham Graduate School will notify the applicant of the admission decision via email.

• Aerospace Engineering’s Graduate Admissions Decision Timeline

Respond to Admissions Offer

1. Notify the AERO department of your decision to accept (or decline) the offer by emailing Kathy Miller, Graduate Student Admissions Coordinator.
2. Notify Rackham of your decision to accept (or decline) the offer in Wolverine Access.

Admission Deferral

An applicant receiving a master’s admission offer may defer admission for up to one year under limited circumstances. If your circumstances meet these criteria, please send your deferral request and reason for deferral to  Kathy Miller, Graduate Student Admissions Coordinator, after your admission has been finalized by Rackham Graduate School.

Apply subsequent term

If an applicant is not admitted and chooses to apply to the same program again, then a new online application must be submitted for the new term.

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