*Please note: the essay prompts for PhD and MS applicants are different.*
First, briefly discuss:
- Primary research area or questions. For example, “I am interested in understanding the role of data quality in driving learning health system success” or “I am interested in understanding the role of trust as it relates to data and the improvement of learning health systems.” (1-2 sentences)
- Why Michigan/HILS? Are there particular research interest areas and faculty of interest to you? What types of mentorship and support will help you succeed? (You should contact 2-3 HILS faculty to introduce yourself and discuss potential fit before completing your Academic Statement of Purpose.)
- Explain why you identified the potential advisors you did. Please describe the interactions you have had with them.
Then address the following questions in 4-5 pages (double-spaced):
Explain in some detail the research areas you mentioned above and describe the primary research question(s) that you previously identified considering the following factors. These do not need to be separate headings. We are looking for cohesive, thoughtful writing.
- Describe your understanding of learning health systems, and what leads you to be interested in studying the science underlying the learning health system.
- Describe prior research experiences, courses, or projects that prepared you for doctoral study.
- Describe the research areas in which you are interested and hope to contribute, including any experience you have with informatics, health data analysis, implementation of evidence-based programs, clinical practical improvement, and/or policy and ethics.
- Briefly discuss the career path(s) you envision for yourself after graduate school. (We understand that these goals may change over time.) How will earning this PhD help you to achieve your goals?
- Mention any valuable leadership experiences you have had, and how they affected you and your career goals?
Finally, to contribute to our holistic review process, in 1/2 to 1 page, summarize the strength of your quantitative and analytical skills by:
- Referencing your grades in key math and science-related coursework and
- Discussing specific details of any research or work experiences that involved quantitative or analytical tasks.
To assist with your Academic Statement of Purpose, we encourage you to review the following resources:
The following information is required in the header of your Academic Statement of Purpose:
- Write "Academic Statement of Purpose" at the top of your document
- Your name
- The name of the graduate program
Set document margins to one-inch and verify that any tables fit within the margins.
Recommendation: Convert documents to PDF format before uploading.
Upload your Academic Statement of Purpose:(limited to under 10MB)
Accepted File Types: pdf, rtf, doc, docx
To assist with your Statement of Purpose, we encourage you to check out the following resources:
Please summarize the strength of your quantitative and analytical skills by (a) referencing your grades in key math and science-related coursework and (b) discussing specific details of any research or work experiences that involved quantitative and analytical tasks. The information provided will contribute to our holistic review process.
The following information is required on the header of your statement:
- Write "Quantitative Experiences Statement" at the top of your document
- Your name
- The name of the proposed graduate program
Make sure your margins are set up at one-inch and that any inserted tables fit within those margins to avoid pages being added or removed in your original document(s). You can also convert your documents to PDF format before uploading.
Upload your quantitative experiences statement:
Accepted File Types: pdf, rtf, doc, docx
*Please note: the essay prompts for PhD and MS applicants are different.*
First, briefly list:
- Primary research area or problem of interest for health improvement (1-2 sentences)
- Potential advisors; you should contact these faculty to introduce yourself and discuss potential fit before completing your Academic Statement of Purpose. (2-3 Learning Health Sciences Primary Faculty)
- Explain why you identified the potential advisors you did. Please describe the interactions you have had with them.
Then address the following questions in 3-4 pages (double-spaced):
- Please describe your understanding of learning health systems, how it applies to your primary area or problem of interest and your ideas to address the problem, noting particularly how you might be interested in using knowledge about learning health systems in practice.
- Describe prior research experiences, courses, or projects that have prepared you for graduate study, and any experience you have had in clinical practice improvement and/or informatics
- Explain in some detail the areas in which you are interested in practicing
- Specify at least one area of learning health systems that you would like to learn in depth.
- Describe another area, discipline, or method that would round out the breadth of your knowledge and why it would be a valuable part of your education.
To assist with your Academic Statement of Purpose, we encourage you to review the following resources:
The following information is required in the header of your Academic Statement of Purpose:
- Write "Academic Statement of Purpose" at the top of your document
- Your name
- The name of the graduate program
Set document margins to one-inch and verify that any tables fit within the margins. Recommendation: Convert documents to PDF format before uploading.
Upload your Academic Statement of Purpose:(limited to under 10MB)
Accepted File Types: pdf, rtf, doc, docx
How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?
For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
Do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.
The following information is required on the header of your statement:
- Write "Personal Statement" at the top of your document
- Your name
- The name of the graduate program
Make sure your margins are set up at one-inch and that any inserted tables fit within those margins to avoid pages being added or removed in your original document(s). You can also convert your documents to PDF format before uploading.
For each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress, scan one copy, front and back, of official transcript and upload to application. If offered admission, you will be asked to submit a hard copy of each official transcript. Do not submit transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework. If you previously attended U-M Ann Arbor, Rackham will access that transcript internally.
Please see Transcripts for complete instructions including specific information for submitting non-U.S. institution records.
Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted electronically by your recommenders. As you are completing the online application, you will be given instructions for how to "Register Your Recommenders." Recommenders will then receive an email that will guide them in uploading their letters.
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
An effective recommendation letter should provide an assessment of your potential as a graduate student and/or researcher. It is important that a recommendation letter be written by someone who knows you well academically or is familiar with your professional work. Recommendation letters provide the admissions committee with information that isn’t found elsewhere in your application.
Applicants (MS and PhD) whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide official score reports for one of the tests accepted by the Rackham Graduate School.
Please see the Rackham Graduate School’s information regarding Tests for information on accepted test scores, submission of test scores and exemptions.
Briefly explain your purpose for electing classes as a non-degree student. Include the name and course number of the class you wish to take. No classes in Psychology or Business administration are permitted.
The following information is required on the header of your Academic Statement of Purpose:
- Write "Academic Statement of Purpose" at the top of your document
- Your name
- The name of the non-degree program
Make sure your margins are set up at one-inch and that any inserted tables fit within those margins to avoid pages being added or removed in your original document(s). You can also convert your documents to PDF format before uploading.
Upload your Academic Statement of Purpose:(limited to under 10MB)
Accepted File Types: pdf, rtf, doc, docx
Upload your curriculum vitae or resume that describes your education, work experience, research publications, teaching experience, professional activities, volunteer activities, community engagement, honors and awards.
Make sure your margins are set up at one-inch and that any inserted tables fit within those margins to avoid pages being added or removed in your original document(s). You can also convert your documents to PDF format before uploading.
Upload your curriculum vitae/resume:(limited to under 10MB)
Accepted File Types: pdf, rtf, doc, docx
