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WRS Application Instructions

1. Fill out the UMN Online Graduate School Application

2. Submit your GRE Scores (copies are acceptable)

When you take the GRE exam by computer, you will get to a point where it asks you what institutions you want to send the scores. One of the institutions is the University of Minnesota Minneapolis/St. Paul (code R6874). No department code is needed.

If you have already have your scores, send a copy of them to:

Director of Graduate Studies in Water Resources Science
University of Minnesota
173 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

3. Submit Letters of Recommendation

Letters should be submitted online through the Graduate School Online ApplyYourself portal. Follow the instructions for online letters.

Letters should be requested from three persons familiar with your academic abilities and record. Recommenders typically are faculty advisors, instructors in courses you have had, or supervisors of previous or current work experiences. Recommenders should address the following points: (i) your academic aptitude and past record; (ii) the capacity in which they know you -- as teacher, research advisor, work supervisor, etc.; (iii) their prognosis for your ability to succeed in graduate-level coursework and research.

If you do not use the ApplyYourself online letter system, please provide a copy of the WRS Recommendation Cover Sheet to each recommender. Recommenders should send an original, signed WRS Recommendation Cover Sheet, with their letters on letterhead stationery attached, directly to the WRS office (address above). If you send us the letters, they must be in sealed envelopes with the signature of the recommender written across the sealed flap of the envelope. WRS does not have a specific form or format for letters of recommendation, but we request that recommenders address the following points: (i) your academic aptitude and past record; (ii) the capacity in which they know you -- as teacher, research advisor, work supervisor, etc.; (iii) their prognosis for your ability to succeed in graduate-level coursework and research.

4. Application for Graduate Assistantship

WRS requires that all applicants desiring financial support fill out the Application for Graduate Assistantship. Upon completing the form, upload it with your Graduate School ApplyYourself online application in the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section as a Graduate Program Additional Application document. The Application for Graduate Assistantship form requests your resume/CV. This information should be uploaded in the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section as a Resume/CV document. WRS does not require document uploads for the Writing Sample, Description of Research/Work Experience or Other Information.

Note: To be considered for a graduate fellowship for Fall Semester, the GA application, official Graduate School application, and all requested materials including letters of recommendation should be submitted by December 15.

Other financial aid options are also available. All applicants are encouraged to submit the application for assistantship, even if you would consider entry without funding. Along with the requested statement of purpose and immediate and long-range career objectives, please include a C. V. or resume outlining your experience, relevant awards, honors, presentations and publications.