What is the Rackham Graduate School?

Can I request a paper application packet?

When is the application deadline?

How do I check the status of my application materials?

Do you offer a part-time or an online Ph.D.?

What can I do to improve my admission chances?

When can I expect to receive an admission decision?

I have been assigned to a waitlist. What does that mean and how does the waitlist process work?

How many letters of recommendation letters do I submit?

Can I defer my admission offer?

Can I be a Graduate Student Instructor?

Will I get my application fee back?

Will you return my portfolio to me?

I am an international student. Am I eligible for funding?

How do I apply for merit-based scholarships?

Is there a language requirement?

What is the Rackham Graduate School?
The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies is the overall administrative unit for graduate programs and works in conjunction with 17 schools and colleges to recruit applicants, administer the admissions process, and serves students through the final stages of degree attainment.

Can I request a paper application packet?
The Taubman College no longer prints paper application materials. We require all of our applicants to use the Rackham online application

When is the application deadline?
The application and supporting materials must be submitted by the application deadline of December 15th each year, for admission the following Fall term. We admit students only once a year and all applications are considered at the same time.

How do I check the status of my application materials?
When your application and application fee have been received by the Rackham Graduate School you will receive an Acknowledgement Email. This email will confirm receipt of your application and provide you with your U of M ID number. It will also inform you on how to check your application status online via Wolverine Access.

Do you offer a part-time or an online Ph.D.?
No, you must be registered as a full time student studying on campus. Students are expected to devote full time to their studies and are supported financially to enable them to do that.

What can I do to improve my admission chances?
Begin planning in advance to present a complete, high quality application. In submitting your application, one of the most important items is a clear concise personal statement outlining your professional, intellectual, and research interests. Prepare for the GRE and/or TOEFL tests and leave yourself enough time for a re-test if you feel you have not done your very best. In this same vein, start well in advance contacting current and previous universities and colleges about submitting grade transcripts. We cannot consider your application without them.

When can I expect to receive an admission decision?
The Admissions Committee typically completes final admission decisions by Mid-February. All applicants will receive an official decision letter as soon as the committee has reached a conclusion. You can also check your admission status online by using Wolverine Access, Web Application Status page, "View Decision" tab.

General Architecture Admissions Timeline is as follows:

December 15
Application deadline

January 15
Applications go the admissions committee for review

Mid–February
Admission decisions reached and applicants notified

I have been assigned to a waitlist. What does that mean and how does the waitlist process work?
The waitlist means that we are interested in your application, but have already offered admission to other candidates. If space becomes available, we will admit students from the waitlist in a non-ranked order.

How many letters of recommendation letters do I submit?
Three are required and should testify mainly to academic and professional capacity and promise. Letters should be substantive statements from academics and professionals familiar with your abilities and accomplishments. Electronic submission of recommendations is preferred. You will be prompted to register recommenders using the Rackham online application, enabling recommenders to submit letters of recommendation electronically to the Doctoral Program in Architecture.

Do NOT send paper copies of recommendations if they are submitted electronically.

Can I defer my admission offer?
Applicants may choose to defer their admission for up to 2 years. Financial support cannot be guaranteed.

Can I be a Graduate Student Instructor?
Students will be selected for GSI/GSRA positions as part of their funding package depending on the teaching needs of the College.

Will I get my application fee back?
No, the application fee is non-refundable.

Will you return my portfolio to me?
When you submit a portfolio as part of your application, it becomes property of the University of Michigan . If you would like to have your portfolio returned to you after admission decisions are made please submit a prepaid, self addressed envelope.

I am an international student. Am I eligible for funding?
Yes, you are eligible for the funding package described in the funding section of our website.

How do I apply for funding/ scholarships?
All applicants are automatically considered for funding/scholarships that are available. Because financial resources are limited, we encourage all applicants to seek outside sources of funding as well.

Is there a language requirement?
No, however, it is recognized that work in some areas of specialization (e.g., architectural history and theory) and on certain research/dissertation topics may require a reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages.

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