Prerequisites for Admission

Students entering the Applied Plant Sciences graduate program should have a foundation in the physical and biological sciences, preferably with some emphasis in plant science. A minimum of 10 credits of math and physics, 12 credits of chemistry and biochemistry, and 15 credits of biological or agricultural sciences are recommended for admission. In addition, students should have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree in agriculture, biology, or other related life sciences. Students with a B.S. or B.A. degree outside these areas may be admitted with the requirement that they take the prerequisite courses noted above at the undergraduate level in addition to their graduate coursework.

Submitting Your Application

Students may apply at any time; however, submission of all application materials by December 1 is strongly encouraged to ensure priority consideration for assistantships and fellowships awarded for the next academic year. Students can be admitted in the fall, spring, or summer.

Application forms should be completed online through ApplyYourself on the University of Minnesota Graduate School Admissions website. When you have completed your application and are ready to submit it, you must pay your application fee via credit card online.  Follow the instructions on the Graduate School website, and mail the following items to the Graduate School, University of Minnesota, 309 Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0421:

1. Offical transcripts 
2. Current registration information  

Also, mail the following items to the APS Graduate Program, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, 411 Borlaug Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108-6026: 

1. APS financial assistance form (click to download)
2. One copy of your Statement of Purpose
3. One copy of all transcripts and current registration information
4. One copy of GRE scores
5. One copy of TOEFL scores (if required)
6. Three letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with your
   academic and professional experience. There is no form for the letter, but the letters should be on official letterhead stationery.

Suggestions

1. Although this is not required, get in touch with one or more professors whose interests are similar to yours. Individual professors would be able to provide you with more specific information regarding opportunities for graduate education and research in their respective programs. See the list of professors under the Agronomy/Agroecology, Horticultural Science, Plant Breeding/Molecular Genetics, and Applied Plant Sciences specializations.
2. Take your GRE exams early (October or November).  It can take four to six weeks to receive your scores.  
3. Give your referees plenty of time to write your letters of recommendation.  
4. Confirm that your transcripts have been sent from your university. Be sure to send transcripts of all institutions attended, even if it is a record of only one class.  
5. Write your personal Statement of Purpose carefully. Well-written statements promote a positive impression. Consider questions such as: 
   a) What are your career goals? 
   b) What motivates you to attend graduate school?
   c) What academic preparation have you had? 
   d) What relevant experiences (volunteer, employment, writing, teaching, research) have you had? 
   e) What are your current limitations with respect to professional development that graduate study would enable you to overcome?
6. Make sure your application is complete. Check with us to make sure all application materials have been received.  Send email to medga001@umn.edu if you have questions.