Transcript:
Transcripts from all institutions from which degrees were earned. Updated unofficial versions of all transcripts from prior college work should be uploaded to the Graduate School website as part of the application (obtain a PDF file of the transcript from the university, or scan the transcript and then submit it via the electronic application as a PDF). International applicants must post transcripts translated into English. All transcripts submitted should include a grading legend.
No official (sealed) transcripts should be submitted in hard copy until you are admitted into our graduate program
Curriculum Vitae:
Curriculum Vitae or resume. (optional, but highly recommended) A Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) is similar to a resume but emphasizes your academic accomplishments–degrees, publications, professional experience, honors and awards, work experience.
Personal Statement:
Personal Statement of Academic Direction and Research Interests. Please submit online an essay (three pages maximum) describing your intended academic direction and research interests. Also, please explain how you envision pursuing those interests in the Geography Department, with reference to at least two faculty members you’d like to work with.
Recommendation Letter:
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from academic referees. You will be asked to enter the names and contact information (affiliation, email, phone) on the online Graduate School recommendation form, and thus activate a request for a letter of recommendation, to be posted online by your referees. These letters should assess your probable success in our graduate program, based as much as possible on your prior academic achievement, and discuss your ability to contribute to an intellectual community.
Personal History:
Personal History (optional). (Note: Only US citizens who qualify for diversity fellowships should submit this personal history. This is an optional item. We routinely nominate meritorious applicants for various diversity fellowships and scholarships, but cannot do so unless this statement is submitted online).
We actively seek diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and cultural experiences in our graduate program. To help us achieve this diversity, it would help us if, on this form as well as in your personal history, you could identify any factors in your life which you feel will help broaden our graduate program. These may include: economic and educational disadvantages, cultural awareness, overcoming personal adversity, and leadership awards and potential
Writing Sample:
Writing Sample. Master’s applicants (that is, students without an MA degree either already earned or in-progress), are encouraged, but not required, to submit an example of their academic writing. Post-masters applicants (that is, applicants who either already have an MA or will have one before they join our doctoral program) must post a paper from a graduate seminar or a published paper. Please post this work online in the Writing Sample section of the application.