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Home > Graduate : Admission

Admission

Requirements

The BA or BS degree, or a foreign equivalent, is required for admission. Students entering directly into the PhD program typically have an M.A. or M.S. degree or its foreign equivalent. Degrees need not be from a program in Geography.

Students whose previous work is not in geography may be asked to complete specific courses that do not provide graduate credit.

Five information sources on which admission decisions are based

1. The grade point average from all prior undergraduate and graduate study. For admission to the program, the preferred undergraduate GPA is at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), unless other information suggests that the undergraduate GPA may not be a reliable indicator of the applicant's promise. For students entering with a master's degree, the preferred graduate GPA is at least 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). Compute your GPA (PDF).
2. Scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) verbal, quantitative, and analytical (or analytical writing) sections. Preferred minimum scores on the GRE are 600 (verbal), 600 (quantitative), and 5.0 (analytical writing). International students are not required to take the GRE. The lack of GRE scores for international students will not affect a decision on admission, though it may place you at a disadvantage for some fellowship competitions. Submission directions (PDF).
3. Breadth and depth of the past program.
4. Letters of recommendation.
5. The applicant's statement.

English as a Second Language

Students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Preference in admission will be given to students who score--TOEFL: 600 or above on the paper-based exam (pbt), 253 or above on the computer-based exam (cbt), 100 or above on the internet-based test (ibt); IELTS: 7.0; MELAB: 84

Some applicants may be required to enroll in English as a Second Language or in composition courses during their first year in the graduate program, if the Department deems it necessary.

This requirement is waived for applicants who have completed one academic year of study at an American (or other English-speaking) university.

Admission Procedures

Applications are evaluated once per year, in January, for admission that fall. All application materials must be received by December 15 of the year prior to the year in which admission is sought (e.g., applications for admission in Fall 2010 must be received by December 15, 2009).

Students wishing to begin graduate study other than at the beginning of fall semester may take graduate courses as an Adult Special student through Continuing Education and Extension (CEE) or during summer session. Students may transfer up to forty percent of the degree coursework from such studies.

Important Note

Although the application process is fairly straightforward, one thing in particular tends to confuse applicants—application for admission must be made to both:

1. Department of Geography
2. The University of Minnesota Graduate School

Send the following materials to the Graduate School

1. The completed Graduate School "Application for Admission"; the form must be submitted online. Please note that we require that you submit the two applicant statements indicated in the Graduate School Application.
   [note: instructions are provided to allow letters of recommendation to be completed online as part of your application]
2. Official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended.
3. Application fee.
4. Official scores from TOEFL (institution code: 6874; department code: 70)/IELTS/MELAB, if applicable.

Mail Graduate School application materials to:
Graduate School
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55455-042

Visit the Graduate School Admissions site for more information.

Send the following materials to the Department of Geography

1. The Geography Department graduate application (PDF). [may also be submitted as an email attachment to willi046@umn.edu]
2. Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score report for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections, taken within the last five years,for applicants whose undergraduate degree is from a U.S. institution (institution code: 6874; department code: 2203)
3. Transcripts (photocopies/unofficial are acceptable).
4. TOEFL/IELTS/MELAB score report, if applicable.
5. Writing samples (optional). These must be faxed or sent via post--no email attachments.

The following materials MAY be sent directly to the Department of Geography, but it is not necessary as they can be downloaded by the department from the Graduate School Application website

1. Three letters of recommendation from persons who can judge the applicant's academic performance and promise as a graduate student. Recommenders can send their letters directly to DGS Assistant (address below) or submit them online at the Graduate School application website.
2. A statement of background and interests (same as the 2 statements required in the Graduate School online application--limited to 4 pages total).

Mail Geography Department application materials to:

Bonnie Williams, DGS Asst
Department of Geography
University of Minnesota
414 Social Sciences Tower
267 - 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis MN 55455