Graduate Admissions

The Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science is a graduate program within Rackham Graduate School.  The Rackham Graduate School works together with the schools and colleges of the University of Michigan to provide more than 180 graduate degree programs and to sustain a dynamic intellectual climate within which graduate students thrive.  Some of the steps you take during your application process will be for Rackham, and some will be for the Michigan Program of Survey and Data Science (MPSDS). You will be directing application materials to Rackham and MPSDS.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements in order to apply for admission:

  • Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • While not a requirement, most successful applicants to the MPSDS Doctoral Program have earned a Master’s Degree in a relevant field (for example, Applied Statistics or Quantitative Social Sciences) if not actually in Survey Methodology.  Where appropriate, applicants to the PhD program will be considered for admission to the MS in Survey and Data Science.
  • Applicants should have a strong analytical background in social science disciplines and statistics. We ask that MS applicants submit a supplemental form (Summary of Prerequisite Courses) describing the coursework they have taken which will prepare them for the Program in Survey Methodology. For the statistical science area of concentration, three courses in calculus, one course in linear algebra, and one statistics course are strongly recommended. For the social and psychological science area of concentration, two quantitative courses, at least one of which must be a statistics course, and at least two undergraduate courses in the social sciences are recommended.  For the data science area of concentration, applicants should have some formal training in programming and at least one semester of statistics.
  • MS and PhD applicants are no longer required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.  
  • Proficiency in the English language. If the applicant’s native language is not English he/she will be required to present evidence of competency in English (TOEFL or MELAB scores) with their application. If, however, a non-native English speaker has been granted a degree by an English speaking institution, the TOEFL or MELAB test is not required. Please refer to the Rackham Graduate School’s Minimum Requirements for Admission for additional details.
  • The average undergraduate GPA for MS applicants admitted in Fall 2023 was 3.62 on a 4.0 scale.

How to Apply

I am currently a University of Michigan (UM) Graduate Student.

For current students seeking admission into the Program in Survey and Data Science, please view the Current and Previous U-M Ann Arbor Student  section of the Rackham website to determine which application best fits your circumstances.

Current students should contact the Program in Survey and Data Science for additional information about program content and supporting materials needed for the application (such as transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation and personal statement). The deadline for submitting the Application for Change of Program or Dual Degree form is the same as the program deadline for new Rackham applications, January 14.

I am not currently a University of Michigan (UM) Graduate Student.

This background information will be helpful: The name of the department that oversees many of the details for graduate students and graduate study at University of Michigan is Rackham Graduate School, usually referred to as “Rackham.” Therefore, some of the steps you take during your application process will be for Rackham, and some will be for the Michigan Program of Survey and Data Science (MPSDS). You will be directing application materials to Rackham and MPSDS.

Read all of these instructions carefully, because you may find that some parts apply to you and others do not.  Frequently asked questions when applying.

If you are filling out the Rackham Graduate School Application for the First Time Enrollees, you must use the Web Application.

Online Application Process

The University of Michigan strongly encourages all applicants to apply online.

The  Application Fee is paid directly to Rackham Graduate School. Please follow the link for the most current fee details. Applications received without a fee payment will not be processed.  For information related to application fee waivers, please refer to the Rackham guidelines for Application Fee Waivers and Grants.  Application fees as of September 1, 2020 are:

  • United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status, $75
  • Non-U.S. citizens, $90
  • Current Rackham students, regardless of citizenship, $10

The application fee is due when you submit your application.  This fee is non-refundable and subject to change.  Applications received without fees will not be processed.

Program Selection                                                                                                                                                      

Please indicate the degree for which you are applying and the appropriate number code on the application form.

o    The Program in Survey and Data Science PhD code is 02401.

o    The Program in Survey and Data Science Masters code is 02402.

o    The Program in Survey and Data Science Certificate code is 02403.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED

1) Academic Statement of Purpose

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your goals, and how study in the Program in Survey and Data Science graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.  (250-300 words for MS or Certificate applicants and 450-500 words for PhD applicants). 

The statement of purpose is the applicant’s opportunity to convey to the Admissions Committee information that cannot be found in transcripts, letters of recommendation, or test scores. It should clearly explain the applicant’s reasons for wanting to study survey and data science. 

If applying online, the statement of purpose should be submitted with the online application.  Rackham instructions for submitting documents online.

2) Personal Statement

The personal statement should describe how your personal 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.  The personal statement should be kept to a 500 word limit for PhD, MS or certificate applicants. Please do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.

If applying online, the personal statement should be submitted with the online application.  Rackham instructions for submitting documents online.

3) Test Scores

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide evidence of proficiency.

TOEFL scores are sent electronically from ETS directly to the University of Michigan (institution code: 1839). Official ECPEIELTS and MELAB scores must be sent directly to the Rackham Graduate School. Test scores are valid two years from the test date.

Additional information about the English proficiency requirement, please see the Rackham Graduate School website:  Required Tests for Non-native English Speakers.

4) Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Your curriculum vitae or resume describes your education, work experience, research and teaching experience, professional affiliations, volunteer activity and community engagement, honors and awards.

If applying online, the CV or resume should be submitted with the online application.  Rackham instructions for submitting documents online.

5) Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required and should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capabilities and experience of the applicant. Academic recommendations should be from faculty members in the major discipline. We encourage applicants to submit letters of recommendation electronically – please see the online application for instructions. Hard copy letters of recommendation are also accepted and should be mailed directly to the Program in Survey Methodology (see address below).

Letters of recommendation should be submitted with the online application.  Rackham instructions for submitting letters of recommendation.

6) Transcripts

A scanned/electronic copy of the official transcript will be used for initial review by our admissions committee.  You will be required to have your official transcript sent to the Rackham Graduate School, the administrative body that oversees many graduate departments at the University of Michigan, only if you are recommended for admission. Please submit an official transcript in this manner from any institution where you have earned a degree (i.e. undergraduate degree, graduate degree, certification).  For additional detail related to transcripts, Rackham Transcript Information.

All applicants should report their Grade Point Average (GPA) in the Degree Institution Information section of the online application. The GPA should be reported using a standard U.S. four point scale.  Applicants who attended an institution outside the United States should follow the instructions to convert their international average grade point to a U.S. four point GPA (see “How to Convert Grades to a U.S. GPA” here).

All transcripts which are not in English must include a certified translation with each copy of the transcript.  For additional information see Required Academic Credentials from Non-US Institutions

All other application materials must be submitted in English, including letters of recommendation.

7) Supplemental Application Questions for MS Applicants Only

  • The online application will ask you to provide your preference for study emphasis.  Please choose one:  statistical science, social and psychological science, or data science area of concentration.
  • The online application will provide a place for you to provide supplemental information, Summary of Prior Courses, during the application process. This form allows space to indicate specific details of the coursework you have taken that may be relevant to study in the Program in Survey and Data Science.  For the statistical science area of concentration, three courses in calculus, one course in linear algebra, and one statistics course are strongly recommended. For the social and psychological science area of concentration, two quantitative courses, at least one of which must be a statistics course, and at least two undergraduate courses in the social sciences are recommended.  For the data science area of concentration, applicants should have some background in computer science, with a minimum of two semesters of programming coursework, and also at least one semester of statistics.

8) Supplemental Application Questions for PhD Applicants Only

  • The online application will ask you to provide your preference for study emphasis.  Please choose one:  statistical science, social and psychological science, or data science area of concentration.
  • The online application will provide a place for you to specify the names of three faculty members with whom you would like to work and a brief reason for your interest in working with the faculty member.

Addresses to which material should be mailed:

Rackham Mailing Address:

University of Michigan
Rackham Graduate School
Attn: Transcripts/U-M ID# (if known) or Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
915 E. Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070

Program in Survey and Data Science Mailing Address:

Program in Survey and Data Science
Institute for Social Research
426 Thompson Street, Room 4050
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1248

Application Deadlines

Admissions applications and supporting credentials must be received at the University’s Rackham School of Graduate Studies by specific deadlines. These deadlines vary by program.

ProgramApplication Deadline
MS & PhDJanuary 14 for study beginning the following fall term
Change of Program, Dual Degree, & ReadmissionJanuary 14 for study beginning the following fall term
CertificateNot currently accepting certificate applications
Non-Candidate for DegreeOne month prior to the first day of classes for study beginning that fall, winter, or spring term

Applicants will be notified of the Program’s admission decision no later than April 1. All applications and supporting credentials become the property of the University of Michigan.

After you are Admitted

If the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science recommends you for admission, Rackham Graduate School will review your application to ensure Rackham’s minimum requirements are met. You will be notified by Rackham after admission has been finalized.  You will need to follow these steps for accepting your offer from Rackham.

International Students

After you accept the offer of admission in Wolverine Access, follow the steps to receive an F-1 or J-1 visa