Application Procedures for Graduate Studies - Frequently Asked Questions and Helpful Hints for Applying

Application deadline for Fall admittance is JANUARY 8 of the same year.

Please note that it is necessary to send applications and supporting materials to BOTH the Graduate School AND the Department of Geology and Geophysics.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why the duplication of application and materials - sent to the Graduate School AND to the Department?
  Application for admission and application for financial aid differ in that admission is granted through the Graduate School and financial aid is the responsibility of the department.  Decisions for financial aid must be made in the department by the end of January, therefore a complete set of application materials is needed in the department by JANUARY 8 in order to make a fair assessment of each applicant.  Materials that you send to the Graduate School are not guaranteed to reach the department in the time needed to review the applicant pool.


• What if I miss the January 8 deadline?
  An incomplete file generally places an applicant at a disadvantage, and an applicant may not receive financial aid.  If you know that you will not be able to meet the deadline, it is best to contact the Director of Graduate Studies and explain your situation.


• If I am applying for Spring of the next year, do I have to adhere to the January 8 deadline?
  As the financial aid is decided for an entire academic year, it is in your best interest to adhere to the January 8 deadline.
   
• What if I want to work with a faculty member in Duluth?
  Duluth has its own Masters program, and applicants for a Duluth MS apply directly to UM-Duluth.  However Ph.D. candidates who wish to work with a member of the Duluth faculty must apply through the Twin Cities and meet the same requirements.  More information about the Duluth geosciences department is available on their web site: http://www.d.umn.edu/geology/.
   
• What if I don't know exactly what area of geology or geophysics I want to study?
  See Helpful Hints for Applying below and Areas of Study and Research.

Helpful Hints for Applying

You do not need to know exactly what you want to do for research in graduate school, but you do need to know that your possible fields of interest match what we do here at Minnesota. Therefore:

• You should communicate with potential faculty advisors in advance to discuss research interests and possibilities. Examine the departmental web pages or other informational materials to read about faculty research interests and determine which faculty member(s) you want to contact. Send them an email telling them about yourself and asking questions about possible graduate research opportunities.

• When you write your personal statement as part of the formal application, note as specifically as possible the geoscience fields in which you are most interested. We recommend that you also indicate the names of potential faculty advisors in your statement, so that you can be sure that the appropriate faculty members examine your application.

Procedural Step-by-Step

• Try to have an idea of what area(s) of study and research you wish to conduct, and possibly with which faculty member(s) you would like to work. These links will be helpful:
  • Individual Faculty Pages
  • Areas of Study and Research, alphabetically
  • If you are not sure, here are some helpful hints
• Contact individual faculty members/potential advisors to discuss research possibilities.
• Submit online applications to BOTH the Department and the Graduate School.
• Assure all supporting materials for BOTH applications are received in the respective offices by JANUARY 8 (see Application Materials Checklists).
• Follow-up with the Department office to assure all materials have been received, as review of applications will commence the week of JANUARY 8. Email Sharon at kress004@umn.edu.