Application

First-time applicants:Complete the Rackham Graduate School application online.

Currently or previously enrolled applicants: If you are currently or were previously enrolled in the Rackham Graduate School, do not complete Rackham's online application. Instead, complete one of the forms below:

• Change of Program form (PDF) →: If you are currently enrolled in the Rackham Graduate School and want to change your degree program (e.g., if you are an MSI student applying to SI's Ph.D. program), you must complete the Change of Program form.
• Readmission form (PDF) →: If you have not been enrolled in the Rackham Graduate School for more than 12 months, you must apply for readmission.

Degree/Program Code

Please indicate "School of Information" on Line 14 of the Rackham application with the numeric program code for the doctoral program in Information: 01100.

Application fee

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents: $60 (U.S.)
• international applicants: $75 (U.S.)

This fee is never waived (enclose fee with Rackham application).

Application essay/Statement of purpose

A statement of your specific area of research interest.

• Explain why you think SI is a good place for you to pursue your studies.
• List research topic areas and the faculty with whom you would like to work.
• State your understanding of what it means to learn how to do original research and to undertake such research.
• Describe any experience doing research and courses or projects that you have been involved with to show your preparation.

Personal history statement

The Rackham Graduate School now requires a "Personal History Statement" in addition to the formal Application Essay/Statement of Purpose described above. This statement should convey how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. For this statement, please write a brief (one-half-page to one-page), non-academic statement.

Cover letter

One copy to the School of Information (optional)

Resume

One copy to the School of Information

GRE scores

Send official scores from the general test to the School of Information. Our institution code is 1839; our departmental code is 4701. The test should be taken within the past five years. Please schedule your exam well before the January 5 deadline.

Transcripts

You must provide two (2) sets of official final undergraduate and/or graduate academic records/transcripts, with your degree posted. Official documents must be provided from the institution awarding the degree.

One set must be submitted to the School of Information and the second set must be sent to Rackham Graduate School Admissions. It is your responsibility to request the release of any such records from the institutions involved.

Submit your transcript requests early enough so that the transcripts arrive at the University of Michigan two to three weeks prior to the application deadline. Note that if you have not yet completed your degree, you may submit your application with a current transcript and then submit a final transcript upon graduation.

Be sure to see the mailing addresses at the bottom of this page.

Visit the Rackham transcript help page for more details on how to submit your transcripts, including instructions for international students.

Recommendations

Three letters sent to the School of Information. Letters may be written by faculty members and/or professional colleagues who are in a position to judge your potential for success in the doctoral program and your capacity to make a contribution to your chosen profession.

Ask your recommenders to submit their letters online (you will be given a chance to register your recommenders for online submission if you complete the online application).

Or, you may give your recommenders a paper copy of the recommendation form (PDF) →, which they should send directly to the School of Information.

Financial assistance

Separate application is not required, because at this time, the School fully funds all doctoral students making satisfactory progress.

Doctoral applicants from historically underrepresented minority groups who plan to focus in an LIS-related area should consider applying for the ALA's Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship →.

TOEFL or IELTS scores

International applicants only. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) → must be taken within the past two years. The U-M institution code is 1839; the department code is 99. We accept a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL test, and 250 on the computer-based TOEFL test. SI prefers the TOEFL but students may choose to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency exam instead. On the IELTS test, we accept a minimum score of 7.0.