Application Process

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Program in Land and Atmospheric Science. All materials are submitted electronically through the online application system through the University of Minnesota's Graduate School website. Admission decisions are communicated to applicants using this system. A decision for admission notice will be sent to you once your application is reviewed by our Admission Committee. General information about the University of Minnesota Graduate School and other application information can be found here

Deadlines

While we accept applications throughout the year, completed applications must be received by December 1 for fall admission. This deadline ensures that qualifying applicants receive full consideration for university fellowships and assistantships. Applications received after December 1 will not be guaranteed consideration for fall admission or fellowships. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Materials

Apply for the program at the graduate school admissions site.

A GRE score is not required for admission to the Land and Atmospheric Science graduate program, and submitted scores will not be reviewed. 

Important: You will not be able to upload additional documents (resume, personal statement, diversity statement, transcripts, etc.) after you have submitted your application. Please make sure all materials are uploaded in the online application system before submitting. 

Exception: You are able to submit your online application even if all of your recommendation providers have not yet uploaded their recommendations.

MaterialsHow to Submit

Application

Create an application for admission on the University of Minnesota's graduate admissions website.

In Program Selection, choose:

  • University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Land and Atmospheric Science (MS or PhD)

LAAS Application Summary

Complete the Departmental Summary Form (PDF) and upload it under Graduate Program Additional Material in the "Materials" section.

Personal Statement

In the Personal Statement, you are asked to give a statement explaining your immediate and long-range career objectives in relation to your major field, being specific about your areas of interest. If there are particular faculty members with whom you wish to study, please list their names and explain why you would like to study with those individuals. Also, if known, indicate a proposed minor field or emphasis.

Diversity Statement 

Supporting the development of a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. This mission is enacted by the inclusion of academically excellent students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and/or a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. For additional context, please review the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive characteristics and/or life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to your graduate program and how that could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota.

Read these tips for writing an effective diversity statement. 

The Diversity Statement can also help determine eligibility for the DOVE Fellowship and CFANS Diversity Scholars Graduate Student Fellowship.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts or academic records are required to be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts.

There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material.

English language test

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for applicants whose native language is not English.

The University of Minnesota TOEFL institutional code is 6874.

Publications

Optional: Upload a list of your publications and articles into the "Other Materials" section of the online application under "Writing Sample."

Letters of Recommendation

You are required to have three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional associates who have had an opportunity to observe you in an academic or work environment and assess your potential for graduate work. 

To request recommendation letters from your references, click on the “Recommendations” link in the online application and provide the requested information for each of your references, i.e. name, relationship, telephone number, email address, etc. These individuals will be notified by email of your request and be given the website for the online recommendation form. An email acknowledgment will be sent to you and your references once they have submitted recommendations.

Review detailed information on students' rights to access their recommendations, then indicate whether you would like to waive your right. Your response will be shared with your recommendation provider. You cannot change your waiver response after sending this form to your recommender.

You can submit your application before letters of recommendation have been uploaded.

Application Fee

You will pay your application fee as the final step in the submission of your application. A separate application fee must accompany each graduate program admission application. Application fees cannot be waived or deferred, and are non-refundable.

  • International ($95.00)
  • U.S. citizen/permanent resident ($75.00)

Application Status

You may check the status of your application here

Questions

If you have additional questions, please contact Kari Jarcho, the LAAS Graduate Program Coordinator.