Tips for Completing a Well-Rounded Application

Our early application deadline is less than a month away! Most students are working on their applications, and you may be looking for tips for making sure that your application is the best it can be. We recently have had several posts related to navigating the admissions process, funding, and asking for letters of recommendation. Here are some additional tips and thoughts before you submit your application. 

Make sure all your application materials are in order

You can check the admissions requirements page for detailed explanation of required materials including: Application, Resume, Transcripts, GRE Scores, TOEFL or IELTS Scores (International Students only), (3) Letters of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, and Personal Statement. The admissions team requires each one of these elements for review, so it is important that they have all been completed. 

You should also make sure to pay special attention to the elements of your application that may be outside of your immediate control, like the letters of recommendation and test scores. I found it helpful to follow up with my writers and the testing agencies through emails or telephone calls to make sure they have sent everything to each one of my schools; this assurance can go a long way towards making you feel in control of these elements that you might never get to see. You can also check the status of your application here.

What does your application say about you?

The admissions review committee takes a holistic approach in evaluating each prospective student's application. This means that the admissions team is looking to see how well you fit with the school's mission statement, your potential for leadership, what you see yourself doing in the future of the field, and other related factors. Please read Ellen's post on writing the personal statement and statement of purpose for more tips.

Addressing the five questions listed under the Statement of Purpose on the admissions requirements page will allow you to address these topics and will help you complete a well-rounded application that gives the admissions review committee an idea of how you believe you can further the field of information. Make sure that you have expressed yourself clearly in this section and answered all of the questions posed.

Remember to proofread your statements and have a friend review them as well. I remember writing my personal statements and how difficult it was initially. What helped me most was imagining I was on the admissions committee and was reading my statements for the first time. What did I now know about the applicant based only the application? How does this person fit within the field of information? What has the applicant done in the past to ensure future success? Is the applicant a good fit for the school? After you've read your statements, make sure they tell your story, who you are, what you bring to the table, and what you hope to achieve by earning your Master's in Information.

For specific questions about the application process, you may contact the admissions team at umsi.admissions@umich.edu; however, please understand that given the business of the application season, and the number of applications the team receives, the time it takes to make an admissions decision may vary. For any general questions about the program, cultural issues, or questions about Ann Arbor, please check out the UMSI Prospective Students Facebook group.