We find that the best applicants to the Master of Science program show evidence of undergraduate research in geography or other fields. We strongly encourage Ph.D. applicants to show evidence of having a thesis completed or in progress in geography or related discipline. In addition, we have specific advice on the following elements of your application:
GRE Scores and Grades
We do not admit or deny applicants on the basis of GRE or GPR scores; rather, we aim to consider the applicant as a whole. For guidance, our average GRE score for applicants in the past decade was 1200 combined verbal and quantitative. This translates to approximately 300 combined on the new scale. If your GRE scores are below the 50th percentile, we urge you to consider retaking the exam to obtain a better score.
Statement
The statement should be an essay describing past experiences relevant to the M.S. or Ph.D. program and should indicate a proposed topic. Applicants should contact faculty with whom they share research interests, and they should mention these faculty by name in their essay. Strong essays provide an argument for why an applicant seeks graduate study in our department, making reference to specific faculty. Essays that are generic, focus on personal idiosyncrasies or elaborate on themes unrelated to the M.S. or Ph.D. program are neither persuasive nor compelling; similarly, essays that make no mention of previous research experience are weak.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation should come from academic referees rather than previous employers; however, in cases where your workplace involved issues relating directly to your planned M.S. or Ph.D. course of study, then letters from supervisors would be welcomed.