Application Hints

Take your GRE's early, in October or November. It takes two to three weeks to receive your scores. If you have a copy of your scores, it will expedite consideration of your application if you write them on the financial aid application or enclose a photocopy in addition to requesting ETS to sent the originals to the Conservation Biology Graduate Program.

Select letter writers who know you well, and give them plenty of time to write their letters. Also remind them that they will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their recommendation letters online as soon as you complete your application. If the letter writers do not have access to internet or are not willing to submit letters online then download the recommendation form from the Conservation Biology Web site and enclose it with each letter. The form explains Minnesota law on access to records, and allows you to waive, or not waive future access to the letters, so that the referee and admissions committee know whether they are communicating in confidence. Reference letters should be written on an organization's official stationary. Paper recommendation letters should be sealed and mailed directly to the program office.

It is a good idea to confirm that transcripts have been sent from your college records office. We have seen transcripts witheld pending payment of library fines or graduation fees without a student's knowledge. Also, be sure to send transcripts from all colleges attended, even if they record only a single class. You may contact our Graduate Program office at consbio@umn.edu or 612-624-7751 to ascertain whether your application file is complete.

Your statement of purpose is very important part of your Graduate School application. View it as an opportunity to introduce yourself to us. It is read carefully by the Conservation Biology Admissions Committee. It helps us to understand your interests and educational objectives, and is an important component in our admissions decision. In your statement of purpose, explain your research interest and let us know about any reseach questions that especially interest you. State which degree you seek, where you expect this to lead you, and any other long term goals related to this degree. Mention faculty with whom you would like to study and tell us how your interests fit within our program. State educational or research accomplishments that are related to your goals. Take time to craft a statement that represents your ability and intentions. There is no page limit, but most statements are about 2-3 pages.

We strongly encourage you to contact Conservation Biology graduate faculty whose interests overlap with yours. We do not admit an applicant, no matter how well qualified, unless we are confident that one or more CB Graduate Faculty members can meet that student's needs as an advisor. You are not obligated to work with a faculty member you have written to, but it is often the first step in establishing a relationship with a potential advisor and it helps us to gauge whether we can meet your needs.