Graduate Admissions
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Are application fee waivers available?
Applicants who cannot afford the fee for any reason are encouraged to review the information on the Rackham Graduate School's website to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver from the Graduate School.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a fee waiver from the Rackham Graduate School, please let us know that and request a fee waiver from Stamps by completing this form.
Stamps has a limited number of fee waivers available each admissions cycle. We will collect requests for fee waivers up until December 1, when we will start assigning the waivers. If waivers remain after the initial assignment, we will continue to assign them on a rolling basis until the application deadline. -
How can I check the status of my application materials?
As long as you submit your application by the deadline, Rackham will continue to process supplemental application materials (transcripts, recommendation letters, language test scores).
The best way to check if your materials have been matched to your application is to log into Wolverine Access, select the “Students” tab, then click on the “New & Prospective Business” link. Due to the high volume of documents received by Rackham, allow 10 business days for processing.
You can confirm the receipt of the following via Wolverine Access:
test scores
transcripts from institutions that awarded a Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, and/or Doctoral degree
letters of recommendation can be tracked through the online application system, ApplyWeb Account, activity page, or in your Wolverine Access account
Documents that will not be confirmed in Wolverine Access are:
application PDF forms
written responses (statement of purpose, creative statements)
résumé / CV
SlideRoom portfolio
transcripts for community or junior college, non-degree study, and/or study abroad coursework
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Will application materials be processed after the deadline?
As long as you submit your application by the deadline, Rackham will continue to process application materials (transcripts, recommendation letters, language test scores) after the deadline.
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Is an English proficiency test required of non-native English speakers?
Yes. The University accepts scores from the following organizations: TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS and ECPE. Duolingo scores are not accepted. If you are an international student who has completed an accredited undergraduate degree in the United States, you are not required to show proof of English language proficiency. Rackham provides detailed information about language tests on their website.
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Can I visit the campus?
All admitted students will receive an invitation to visit campus in March. If you are planning your own trip to Ann Arbor in advance of this, you can access the Art and Architecture Building and the Duderstadt Center (two of the three main facilities at Stamps) during the hours that they are open to the public.
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Is the GRE required?
No. The Stamps School of Art and Design does not consider GRE scores when making admissions decisions.
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What if I have additional questions?
Request information and learn about information sessions for our MDes and MFA programs.
Graduate Admissions: MFA
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What kind of work would you like to see in my portfolio?
The content of the MFA portfolio is entirely the decision of the applicant. The application committee looks for a strong body of completed work demonstrating a thriving, developed studio practice as well as potential in innovative areas of inquiry. Stamps does not provide individual feedback or critiques of application portfolios.
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What constitutes an established creative practice?
Exhibitions, residencies, art commissions, site-specific work, performances, screenings, studio assistantships, grants, community projects, and teaching experiences all constitute evidence of a creative practice.
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The SlideRoom portion of the application requests the names of three Stamps faculty members I might like to work with. Do I need to contact these faculty members before I submit my application?
No. You do not need to contact Stamps faculty members before listing them in this part of the application.
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Where can I find information about the MFA faculty?
The Stamps website profiles our faculty members.
Graduate Programs: Finances
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Can the program be completed while working full-time?
No. The MFA and MDes programs are designed to be completed through full-time study for two years.
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Are there teaching opportunities for graduate students?
Yes. Some of the positions offered with admissions are teaching assistant positions (graduate student instructors, or “GSIs”). Additionally, each fall and winter semester, a limited number of positions are available for graduate students to be hired as the instructor of record for an undergraduate course.
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Are there fellowships or teaching assistantships that defray tuition costs?
Yes. All of our admitted students receive the same financial aid package, which includes remission of 75% of the cost of tuition. More information, including details about graduate assistantships, is on our Tuition, Funding & Support page.
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Can international students receive financial support?
All admitted students, regardless of citizenship status, receive the same basic financial support with their offer of admission.