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Graduate Admissions FAQ

Get answers to your questions about Stamps Graduate Program Admissions here. For additional information on our MFA program, please see the MFA FAQ page. If your question isn't answered here, let us know.

Please note that the MDes degree has suspended admissions for Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 and will relaunch admissions for Fall 2024.

Apply: MFA

Graduate Admissions

  • Are 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.

  • What if I have additional questions?

    Request information and learn about information sessions for our MDes and MFA programs.

  • How competitive is the admissions process?

    Admission acceptance rates are similar to other selective programs - around 10%.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Is the GRE required?

    No. The Stamps School of Art and Design does not consider GRE scores when making admissions decisions.

Graduate Admissions: MFA

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The MFA application asks me to describe outside interests and name external faculty. Please explain.

    As far as the Creative Work Statement essay is concerned, we are interested in learning about your interests outside of the Stamps School. The outside cognate is an important part of our program. As an art & design school within a major research university, we want to ensure that students take advantage of the extraordinary engagement with external departments and areas of study. All the external academic units at the university have faculty biographies listed on their web pages. Your selection of an external area of study and external faculty member does not constitute a "contractual" obligation. Your description should demonstrate an interest in an area that has connections with your work whether in a general nature or as a specialization. In our two year program, MFA students begin work with their outside cognate during the first semester.

  • Do I need to contact the three faculty I name in my application?

    It is not a requirement that you contact your potential faculty advisors. Some applicants are in touch with faculty and others are not during the application process.

  • Where can I find information about the MFA faculty?

    The Stamps website profiles our faculty members.

Graduate Programs: Finances