Menu
University of Michigan School of Information

How do I apply to the Master of Science in Information?

How to apply

The application for fall 2027 will open this September, with a deadline of Jan. 15. 

Join our interest list to stay connected and receive a notification when the application opens.

Request information

Application deadlines

Domestic applicants

Priority deadline: Jan. 15  
Apply by this date to receive first consideration for UMSI scholarships.

Final deadline: March 1

International applicants

Final deadline: Jan. 15   

For international students currently enrolled at the University of Michigan, the final deadline is March 1.

Funding note: Applications received after the Jan. 15 priority deadline date will still be considered for UMSI scholarships. However, to receive first consideration for these funds you must apply by the priority deadline.

Application requirements

The School of Information draws intellectually rich, academically diverse students from dozens of different disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, fine arts, law, business, education, engineering, and health sciences. Students and faculty are united by a holistic view of information and a common interest in user-oriented systems and services. 

We seek students who:

  • exhibit leadership potential
  • have a team-oriented approach to problem-solving
  • are capable of dealing with ambiguity and change, and
  • have a strong commitment to service.

Minimum requirements for admission

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree or an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the higher education authority in the country where the degree is earned
  • A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. We do periodically admit applicants with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.0, based on the strength of their overall application.

Application

To apply to the Master of Science in Information program, please use our online application. 

Application fee

You should pay this fee via credit card when you apply online.

Transcripts

We require one scanned or electronic transcript uploaded to the online application for all undergraduate and/or graduate programs in which you have received a degree. If you have not yet completed your baccalaureate degree, you may submit a current (in-progress) transcript now and a final transcript showing degree conferral upon graduation.

We accept unofficial transcripts for the review of your application and will require official transcripts if offered admission. 

  • We strongly prefer that applicants upload a copy of their transcript directly into the application (unofficial or scanned).
  • If needed, an electronic copy of your transcript can be sent directly from your institution to [email protected].
  • ​​If an e-transcript option is not available, documents can be mailed to:

University of Michigan School of Information
Attn: MSI Admissions
2200 Hayward Street, Suite 2260 
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Three letters of recommendation

Recommendations should be written by people who can provide substantive letters — people who know your work, abilities, and personal qualities, who have supervised you, and who can speak to your potential for successful graduate study. If you were recently a student, faculty members are appropriate. Other possible writers include employers and heads of organizations with whom you have volunteered. Personal friends and family members are not appropriate recommenders.

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

Short essay prompts

Within the online application, you will be asked to respond to the following questions based on your exploration of the University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI) website, as well as your own reflection on your academic abilities, experiences, and personal qualities. You are welcome to add comments from your readings, observations, and experience. Each question should be answered in 250 words or less. At UMSI, we highly value academic integrity. Please be sure that any essay content that is not your own original thoughts is properly attributed.

Tip for manually entered text:

You are encouraged to compose your essay in a Word document and then copy and paste it into the essay field.

  • What is one challenge or opportunity in the field of information that you are passionate about exploring and why?
  • What are your future goals in the field of information, and how do you believe a University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI) education will help you achieve them?
  • What personal, academic or professional experience would you contribute to the UMSI community and to the broader information field? Please focus on one or two specific experiences that help us get to know you better.

Personal statement

How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?

Please see the online application for further details. The Personal Statement should be one to two (1-2) pages double-spaced.

Resume

Please upload a copy of your current resume with your online application.

UMSI does not require a portfolio or published materials for the application and there isn't a specific place to submit it on the application itself. If you feel you would like to submit your portfolio or published materials, you may add a link to it in the “Additional Information” section of your application.

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide official score reports from one of the following tests, taken within the past two years:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (strongly preferred)

    • We recommend a score of 5+ overall with 5+ in each section on the new TOEFL scale (102+ overall with 25+ in each section on the previous TOEFL scale)
    • When taking the TOEFL, use the U-M institution code: 1839
    • The School of Information does not have a specific department code for the TOEFL; you may list "99"

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

    • We recommend a score of 7.5+ overall

Applicants who have earned a bachelor's or master's degree are exempt from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria is met:

  • You are a native speaker of English.
  • You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where all classes are taught exclusively in English.
  • You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where all classes are taught exclusively in English.
  • You are a current U-M student.

Example of not meeting the English Proficiency Exemption criteria:

  • You completed two years of an undergraduate degree program at an overseas institution (Fudan University) where the medium of instruction is a language other than English. You then transferred to an institution (Monash University) where all classes are taught exclusively in English and earned a degree from that institution.

Being a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking an English proficiency exam; if the applicant’s first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit English proficiency exam.

Note for international applicants:

UMSI does not require the submission of financial documentation at the time of application. International students who are admitted to the program will receive information about I-20s, F-1 visas, and submitting financial documentation in their email offer of admission. You should submit appropriate financial documentation at that time, following the instructions provided. 

Please email us [email protected] if you have additional questions about our application requirements.

Not a Candidate for a Degree (NCFD) admission

UMSI offers students a flexible enrollment with the Not a Candidate for a Degree (NCFD) admission status. Alumni — and graduates of similar programs at other institutions — might choose NCFD as a means to enroll for continuing education purposes (such as to take a refresher course for one semester) but not pursue a degree.

NCFD students are not eligible for financial assistance from the school and cannot register for courses until the first day of classes. 
 
To apply as an NCFD student, please follow all MSI application requirements; however, you will not need to submit letters of recommendation. Enrollment as an NCFD student is typically part time for 1-3 terms, evaluated on a case by case basis. Please indicate your proposed term(s) of enrollment and course(s) you are interested in within your application essay.