Graduate Admissions FAQs

No, however, most successful applicants have a degree in computer science, engineering, physics, or mathematics. Your application should demonstrate that you have sufficient preparation to succeed in the required courses for the degree program, which are detailed in the program guide (Google Doc).

All application materials are considered holistically and ranked in relation to other CSE applicants.

Please refer to the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies page for information regarding the transferring of credit into a CSE Master’s degree program. Rackham does not allow credits to be transferred to a PhD program.

The MS (Master’s of Science) and MSE (Master’s of Science in Engineering) degree requirements are the same. Students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering can elect either degree citation. Students without an engineering bachelor’s degree are eligible only for the MS.

No. If you are interested in both the PhD and MS programs in CSE, you should fill out the PhD application and indicate on page 9 of the application that you would like to be considered for the MS program (should you not be offered admission to the PhD program). There is no effect on your PhD admissions review if you select this option on the application.

Yes. To apply for a program other than CSE, you must complete a separate online application, pay a separate application fee, and submit separate copies of ALL required credentials, GRE scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. Please refer to the Rackham admissions page for instructions.

The Rackham Graduate Application closes over the summer (starting around June) and will reopen for the new admissions cycle in late August/early September.

All CSE graduate programs are intended for day-time students. Some Master’s students choose a part-time schedule of one course per term. Students working full-time would need cooperation from their employer as CSE does not offer evening or weekend classes.

The CSE division does not participate in formal college visits other than the Explore Graduate Studies Workshop held each fall. Interested students may find more information here.

Every applicant offered admission to the PhD program will be considered for financial support. No separate application is required. Admission at the MS level is not accompanied by financial aid. For more information, please refer to the Funding page.

When evaluating applications, the Graduate Admissions Committee considers every aspect of your application.

Your statement of purpose should address your academic research interests, past research experience, and future career goals. Your personal statement should describe how your life experiences affected your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Some suggested topics for your personal statement are: volunteer and/or community service; extra-curricular activities; leadership activities; educational, cultural, geographic or socio-economic background underrepresented in your discipline of graduate study; financial hardship; first generation U.S. citizen or first generation in family to graduate from a four-year college.

If you do not see a specific faculty member listed in the dropdown, please include their name in another area of the application (e.g. the statement of purpose or the Additional Information section). The application can be searched by faculty using keywords and they will be able to find applicants that indicated their names within the application. We cannot add their names to the list once the application is live.

No. The application fee is determined by the Rackham Graduate School. CSE is unable to waive or defer it.

GRE scores are neither required nor expected. The Graduate Admissions Committee (made up of CSE faculty) will not consider any scores that are submitted when reviewing applications. Each application will be holistically reviewed and ranked in relation to the other applications received.

Yes, the English Proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS) can be waived if you meet one of Rackham’s exemptions. A list of those exemptions can be found here.

Please see the list of required materials here. Please follow the CSE application checklist and Rackham’s application checklist carefully.

No. If you are offered admission, however, you must submit a final, official transcript to the Rackham Graduate School with your degree posted that includes the date your degree was awarded.

Submit a transcript for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional or Doctoral degree earned. For instructions on submitting transcripts, please see the Rackham Graduate school website. For CSE’s requirements, please see the How to Apply page. Note: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

Your letter writers should be people with whom you have worked closely, and who are familiar with your academic work and research potential. It is suggested that at least two of the recommendation letters be from academia.

It is suggested that at least one of your letters be from a faculty member who knew you well. The other two may be from employers. Keep in mind that the CSE Graduate Admissions Committee wants to know about your aptitude for completing coursework and conducting independent research. Character references do not carry as much weight.

This tends to be a problem with how a recommender’s email account is set up. The invitation is either blocked or automatically filtered into a junk mail folder. An applicant can check the status of their recommendations, resend a recommendation request, and even change a recommender if the recommendation is not yet started via an applicant’s Personal Activity page. This page may be accessed under the Manage Your Account section of your online application homepage and by clicking on the Review Your Activity link. Once the application is submitted, the online application cannot be modified. Please refer to the Rackham Letters of Recommendation page for more information. Applicants should contact [email protected] if they need direct technical assistance. Recommenders should contact [email protected].

Our office does not use Interfolio, nor do we accept letters of recommendation by email or physical mail. Please use the Online Recommendation System through the Rackham Graduate Application – DO NOT elect not to use the system, as we will not accept alternate methods of submitting your letters of recommendation. Applicants should refer to the process outlined on the Rackham Graduate School Letters of Recommendation page regarding the submission and/or update of any letters of recommendation. Applicants should contact [email protected] if they need direct technical assistance. Recommenders should contact [email protected].

No. You should include all relevant information in your application before you submit it. All application materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

After you submit your application and create a Friend Account, you will be able to confirm the receipt of test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation via Wolverine Access. Follow the directions listed here to set up a U-M Friend Account. Please allow 7 to 10 business days after completing the steps above, to verify your received materials. Please note, CSE is unable to send confirmation when your complete application has been received.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the status of submitted materials via Wolverine Access. Please note that application PDF forms, written essays (statement of purpose, personal statement etc.), curriculum vitae or resumes, transcripts from Community or Junior College, non-degree study and/or study abroad coursework will not be confirmed in Wolverine Access. Please, therefore, review your application carefully before submitting it. You should refer number 8 on the Rackham application checklist for more information.

No. All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

Only Rackham Admissions staff can unlock a Friend Account. Please send an email to [email protected] indicating that your Friend Account is locked. The email should include your name, UMID, and email address registered in connection with the Friend Account.

You will need to submit a new application, pay the application fee, and provide new supporting documents. GRE and TOEFL scores will need to be resubmitted only if the scores have expired. TOEFL scores are valid 2 years from the test date, and GRE scores are valid 5 years from the test date.

The CSE Graduate Admissions Committee, comprised of faculty, begin making admission offers in January and continue through April. You will be notified by email once a decision has been made.

If you would like to give someone permission to contact the CSE Graduate Programs Office on your behalf, you must indicate this on your application before submitting it.

Deferral of admission may be granted for up to one year following the original term of application. Decisions are made carefully and approvals are few in number. What are the circumstances under which deferrals may be granted? In rare situations, unforeseen and extenuating circumstances occur that affect an applicant’s ability to enroll. These situations may include a medical emergency, family emergency, delay or denial of a visa to study in the United States, or natural disaster (e.g. earthquake, hurricane). When these types of circumstances occur, an admitted student may request to defer enrollment (referred to as deferred admission) for up to one year following the original term of application. A new application and application fee are not required. If approved, only the offer of admission is deferred and not the guaranteed funding type.

Circumstances such as employment, enrollment at another institution, funding, or indecisiveness regarding enrollment are typically not appropriate justifications for requesting deferred enrollment. Requests for deferrals of up to one year are sent to [email protected] and the reason deferral is being requested must be included in the email. Consideration beyond one year requires submission of a new application, application fee, and required documentation.

If you have a specific question that is not answered here, please contact the CSE Graduate Programs office via email at [email protected].