How to apply
Note to International Applicants
Students are advised (but not required) to submit complete applications by December 1 to provide adequate time for admissions review and visa processing before the MUD Program begins in July.
Application deadline/Admissions timeline
October 1, 2008–January 15, 2009—All application materials due at Taubman College of Architecture
Admissions decisions are communicated on a periodic basis beginning in late fall through early spring, typically at the end of each month from November through February (or later, if appropriate). Final decisions on all complete files are made by the first week of April. All admitted students must pay a $500 enrollment deposit fee to accept their offer of admission.
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission of the Master of Urban Design degree program, applicants should already possess one (or more) of the following degrees:
- 5-year Bachelor of Architecture
- 5-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
- Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban Planning,
or their international equivalent.
Applicants must show evidence of understanding, aptitude and achievement in the design of the physical environment, as well as an interest and a commitment to urbanism. Professional design experience will be viewed favorably.
Selective courses may be waived on a case by case basis for prior academic experience or work experience in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning; or in organizations such as non-profit housing or real estate development corporations.
Deadline
Applications to the Master of Urban Design Program are accepted from October 1 until January 15 and are reviewed as they are received. Admissions are offered on a space available basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. Depending on the size and quality of the applicant pool each year, applicants who apply late may be at a competitive disadvantage. Admissions decisions are communicated on a periodic basis beginning in late fall through early spring, typically at the end of each month from November through February (or later, if appropriate).
Application form
The application form is required from all applicants and must be completed online via the link below.
https://apply.embark.com/Grad/Umich/Arch/
All supplementary material (official transcripts, application fee check or money order, letters of recommendation, portfolio, and certification for financial support for international students) must be sent in one package to Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Attn: MUD Admissions. The form must be filled out completely and accurately to be considered a valid application for admission. Do not use an application form from the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
Application fee
A nonrefundable application fee is required from all applicants. The rates are:
Domestic students: $60.00 USD
International students: $75.00 USD
Applicants may pay the fee online using a credit card or include a check or money order, made payable to the University of Michigan with their application materials. DO NOT send Cash.
Statement of purpose/Personal statement
This essay should be 1000–1500 words and give the admissions committee a clear idea of a) Why you want to study urban design, b) What you want to learn/gain from the program, c) Why you want to pursue your degree at University of Michigan. The statement of purpose may be submitted as an attachment to the online application or mailed in with your application materials.
Official transcripts
The College requires applicants, domestic and international, to provide one official transcript or certified credentials (transcripts) from all universities and community colleges attended. If your academic credentials are in any language other than English, you must submit both the original document and a certified English Translation. International credentials should include a certified copy of the diploma, if awarded. Applicants holding degrees from Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Burma, India, Nepal, and Pakistan must include detailed examination records, for all years of the program, showing subjects, marks received, and class obtained. U of M graduates and current students do not need to submit a transcript from Michigan, but should request transcripts for any other schools they have attended.
Letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. If possible, at least two of these should come from former professors. Recommendations should be completed online as part of the online application process. Please ask your recommenders to complete the online form and attach their letter electronically. If absolutely necessary, we will also accept hard copy recommendations if they are on University or company/firm stationery. Please request your letters of recommendation sufficiently early to ensure your recommenders submit their letters along with your application.
Download the Master of Urban Design Recommendation Form
Portfolio
All applicants are required to submit samples of their academic work and, if possible, their professional work. The following guidelines have been prepared by the Graduate Admissions Committee to help applicants select and prepare these samples. Please see the Portfolio requirements page for details.
Resume or C.V.
Please submit an up to date resume or curriculum vitae with your application.
The graduate record examination
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Information about the GRE including test dates and locations can be found at http://www.gre.org. Please contact ETS (http://www.ets.org or http://www.gre.org) and have an official score report sent to the University of Michigan (Institution code 1839, department code 4401) at least 6-8 weeks prior to the deadline. GRE scores must be no older than 5 years old (Before April 2004) to be valid. There is no minimum requirement for the GRE test.
MUD Scholarships/Financial Aid
Incoming Student Scholarships
(Awarded directly from Taubman College)
Merit-based scholarships are available to selected incoming students. Applicants are automatically considered for scholarships and are notified of an award in the admission letter. Because financial resources are limited, we would encourage all applicants to seek out other sources of funding as well. Please apply for all scholarships, fellowships, and grants that you are eligible for to increase your chances of receiving an award.
Federal Financial Aid Awards (FAFSA)
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid administers the Financial Aid award packaging and their website has a Chart of Financial Aid Awards that outlines the various types of Federal Awards. Since the MUD program begins in Summer 2009, pplicants should complete FAFSAS for both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years.
Work-Study Awards
A Federal Work Study award is an award that allows a student to work for eligible employers on and off campus to earn money to pay for school. A student must be hired for a work study job through the Student Employment Office and earn the wages up to the specified award amount. Work Study employees are paid directly by their employer; the wages earned are NOT automatically applied towards tuition. It is the student's responsibility to manage their earnings accordingly.
Private Loans
There are a few private loan options for students, such as a CitiAssist Loan or an MI-LOAN.
Student Employment (Non-Work Study)
There are employers on and off campus that will hire students (mostly part-time) for regular non-work study jobs.
Graduate Student Staff Assistant Positions
Applicants are considered for two Graduate Student Services Assistant(GSSA) positions automatically. Typically, a 20% GSSA position would cover 100% of tuition for the term and provide a small stipend.
TOEFL/iBT Examination (International Students Only)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Internet Based Toefl (IBT) is required of all non-native English speakers. Information about the TOEFL/IBT including test dates and locations can be found at www.ets.org/toefl/ . Please contact ETS (www.ets.org) and have an official score report sent to the University of Michigan (Institution code 1839, department code 12) at least 6-8 weeks prior to the January 15th deadline. TOEFL/IBT scores must be no older than 2 years old (Before April 2007) to be valid. The minimum requirement for the TOEFL test is 220 computer based or 560 paper based. The minimum requirement for the IBT test is 84. Non-native English speakers who have graduated from a University where English is the primary language of instruction are not required to submit a TOEFL score.
Financial certification (International students only)
Estimated Financial Certification 2008–2009 (PDF)
All international students are required to submit financial certification as part of their application to show they have funding available to study in the USA. The estimated financial certification for 2009-2010 academic year is $60,075 USD. The final tuition rates will be set in July and an exact figure will be available then. Financial certification is an administrative piece necessary to process I-20 forms for admitted students. Only funds in a liquid account, such as a checking or savings account will be accepted: Property, life insurance, stock, jewelry, mutual funds, land, medical savings, benefit certificates, trusts, securities, retirement accounts and long term savings for housing do not qualify. If a student is supporting him/herself, we will only need an original bank statement in the student's name showing sufficient funds.
If a person other than the applicant will be sponsoring the student, the applicant must submit two important documents for the financial certification. You must submit either #1 and #3 OR #2 and #3 below. An applicant may have several different sponsors. We will need the following documentation from each source of funding.
- A letter of support (who will support the student and what their relationship to the student is) signed by the family member(s) offering financial support to the student. It must be an original signature.
Or
- A completed financial certification form (found in the online application) with original signatures from the family member(s) offering support and the proper boxes checked.
And
- An original bank statement (on bank letterhead), showing the type of account, the exact balance of the account, and be signed by a bank representative (original signature required). The statement must also show the account holder's name and it must match the name of the person offering support exactly.
Passport copies (International students only)
Each international applicant should submit a copy of their passport (and copies of any dependent family members' passport that would be accompanying the student to the USA) with their application materials. Passport copies are required in order to process an I-20 form. In order to avoid processing delays, please submit the passport copies with your application materials.
Evaluation
Applications will not be evaluated until all credentials have been received and the application fee has been paid. Applications missing credentials cannot be guaranteed a review by the Admissions Committee. Eligible applicants are considered for admission on the basis of the following criteria:
- Quality and content of all previous academic education
- Evidence of professional commitment and direction-statement of purpose, employment record, letters of recommendation, portfolio, etc.
- The number of openings available