This letter must be written by a native English speaker who is familiar with university mathematics instruction and the problems of foreign teachers. Although applications for admission are accepted at any time, financial aid is usually awarded to incoming students only for study beginning in the Fall term. The deadline for the receipt of all materials is the preceding January 16 for foreign students a nd January 23 for domestic students. There are no minimum acceptable GRE scores. Graduate Student Instructorships are awarded only to foreign students with English scores well above this level.
Letters of reference play an especially crucial role in the admission process.
Applicants should choose as recommenders people who know their strengths and weaknesses relevant to graduate study in mathematics. The most useful letters are those which list in some detail the accomplishments of the student and make direct comparisons with other students who have succeeded at major U.S. graduate schools. Foreign students already in the U.S. should submit mainly letters from their U.S. institution. Those students who will have completed a Master's degree in Mathematics by the time they begin studies at The University of Michigan must apply to the Ph.D. program. Others may apply to either program.