Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions:
GRE
TOEFL
General Requirements
Financial Aid
AIM or Applied Math
Actuarial Science
Application/Admissions Questions
Q: Is the GRE Subject Test Score required?
A: Yes it is required for ALL applicants.
Q: What if I missed the deadline to take the GRE Subject Test and plan to take it in April?
A: We review those applicants who have completed their application first. Those applications that are missing information are the last to be reviewed. Your April scores will not be available until after we are done making decisions (April 15), so it’s possible we may not be able to make a decision on your application due to the missing information.
Q: What is the minimum GRE score needed to apply?
A: There are no minimum acceptable GRE scores. However, for the last year’s incoming class, the median verbal score was 162, the median quantitative score was 168, the median analytical score was 4.5 and the median advanced mathematics score was 760.
Q: How old can my GRE test scores be?
A: Your test scores should not be more than 5 years old as of the application deadline date.
Q: If I take the GRE more than once, which scores will you use?
A: As long as your scores are less than 5 years old, we will use the best scores that you have submitted.
Q: Can I apply if I do not have my GRE test results back yet?
A: Yes, as long as you’ve taken the exam, you can certainly apply. Once your scores have been sent by ETS they will automatically be linked up with your application.
Q: What is the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Code for Michigan?
A: University of Michigan’s ETS Code is: 1839, the Mathematics program codes are as follows: Actuarial Science 0701, AIM 0702, Mathematics 0703
Q: If I apply to more than one Math Program, do I need to send the GRE scores to both program codes?
A: No, you only need to send it to one code and your scores will automatically match up with all applications in Mathematics at the University of Michigan that you have applied to.
Q: Can I send you the GRE scores or copies of my GRE scores?
A: No, We will only accept Official GRE Scores from Educational Testing Service (ETS) directly.
Q: If I am currently attending a University where the language of instruction is English and I WILL receive a degree from this University (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) do I need to take the TOEFL exam?
A: Applicants who have earned or will earn a Bachelor or Master degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English are exempt from submitting an Official English Proficiency Score. Verification from the school may be required.
Q: How old can my TOEFL exam be?
A: Your exam is valid for 2 years. It must be less than 2 years old before the application deadline (January 15).
Q: I have taken the TOEFL exam and my total score meets the minimum requirement of 84 but one of the areas (Speaking 23, Listening 26, Reading 26, Writing 27) is less than the minimum requirement. Should I still apply?
A: You can still apply, as long as your total score is 84 or higher.
Q: What is the mathematical background of the typical Math PhD admit?
A: Students admitted to the Math PhD program have a background roughly equivalent to U of M honors mathematics undergraduates. A detailed list of requirements for a bachelor’s in honors mathematics can be found here. For students interested in the AIM PhD program, please visit the AIM admissions page.
Q: Do I need to apply for financial aid separately?
A: No, all applicants are considered for financial aid automatically.
Q: How many of your students do you support?
A: Unless a student is self-supporting, our Ph.D. students are generally supported by either fellowships or Graduate Student Instructorships.
Q: I am interested in doing Applied Mathematics. Should I apply to the AIM program?
A: Applied Math is part of our Mathematics PhD program. Those interested in doing Applied Math AND an Interdisciplinary Field outside of Mathematics should apply to the AIM program.
Q: I know that I want to apply to the AIM program but do I need to know what my interdisciplinary field is before I apply?
A: No, many people have ideas of what they want to do and you should certainly list those in your statement, but we do not expect everyone to know exactly what they want to do.
Q: I want to apply to the Actuarial Science program. Which program do I apply to on the application?
A: The Actuarial Science program is part of our Mathematics Masters program so you should apply to that particular program. It is NOT part of the AIM MS program.
Q: Do you have an Actuarial Science Ph.D. program?
A: No, only a Master’s program.
Q: How do I know when my application is complete?
A: Our review of applications begins after the deadline (January 15 for International students; January 22 for domestic students). We finalize the application materials by creating a file from all the required material. When an application is complete, we will update the status and you will be able to instantly see this through New and Prospective Student Business on Wolverine Access. To view your application status, use the steps outlined on Rackham’s website.
Q: What if I am missing something?
A: As we go through our review process, we will notify you if you are missing something.
Q: When will you make a decision on my application?
A: Our Admissions committee makes decisions as they review applications. Once they have made a decision on your application you will be notified by email. All decisions are made no later than the April 15 deadline.
Q: I would like to apply to both a Master’s and PhD program; do I need to submit two separate applications?
A:
If you would like to be considered for both the Master's and PhD program, apply only to the PhD program and mention in your personal statement that you would also like to be considered for the Master's program. Please be aware that Master’s students do not typically receive funding.
