Applications for Fall 2025 are now closed. Applications for Fall 2026 will become available in August 2025; check the Rackham Admissions website for additional information about applying HERE.
All applications and materials will be due no later than December 1, 2025 (11:59PM EST) for Fall 2026 admission.
Important Dates
- Applications for Fall 2026 due: December 1, 2025 by 11:59PM EST.
- Interview and Recruiting Weekend: Typically held in February. Select invited candidates will have an opportunity meet program faculty and current students. (Travel is arranged and funded by the program.) Select applicants who reside abroad will be invited for an online or phone interview. If you have not been contacted by the Program, no decision has been made on your application yet.
- Applicants are notified of admissions decisions in late February. If the program recommends you for admission, Rackham will review your application to ensure Rackham’s minimum requirements are met. You will be notified by Rackham after admission has been finalized.
Application Requirements
Application
Rackham Graduate School Application for Admission. The application fee is waived (covered by the Program) for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; the application fee is $90 for non-U.S. citizens.
Transcripts
Please upload a scanned/electronic copy of your transcript or grade report with your Rackham Graduate School Application. That copy will be reviewed by our Admission Committee. You will also be required to submit directly to Rackham an official transcript for each institution from which you have obtained or will obtain a degree (bachelor's and above) only if you are recommended for admission. More information about transcript requirements is available from Rackham.
Academic Statement of Purpose
The academic statement of purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals and accomplishments, and how the program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. Include any program faculty whose research areas are of interest.
Applicants are expected to have at least one year of research experience outside of undergraduate laboratory course work.
Personal Statement
The personal statement should include information on your background and life experiences — including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges — and what motivated your decision to pursue the Chemical Biology Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan. The personal statement should differ from your academic statement of purpose and is limited to 500 words. If you have had to make unexpected adjustments to your academic coursework or research experience, please feel free to use the Personal Statement or Additional Information on page 10 of the application for this information.
Letters of Recommendation
When you register your recommenders in the ApplyWeb application, each recommender will receive an e-mail notification to complete the recommendation form through ApplyWeb.
Letters of recommendation must be received no later than December 1st.
Additional information about recommendation letters and how to check on their status is available from Rackham.
CV or Resume
A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume describes your education, work experience, research publications, teaching experience, professional activities, volunteer activity, community engagement, honors and awards.
Official GRE Scores
Since 2015, the program has not required nor reviewed GRE scores.
Additional Materials Required for Non-U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents
Rackham English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency, unless they meet one of the Rackham Graduate School's criteria for an exemption.
Language test scores are valid two years from the test date. The scores must be received from the testing agency no later than the graduate program application deadline.
It is recommended that applicants complete all testing prior to November.
Additional Resources for Undocumented and DACAmented Students
Resources for Rackham Graduate Students who are undocumented/DACAmented