Application Steps and Instructions

Application fees differ for domestic and international applicants. Review the Graduate School’s Application fee page for more information. The fee must be paid to complete the application and eligible for review.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Fee Waiver Program and McNair Scholar Request for Application Fee Waiver are resources for eligible applicants seeking assistance with the application fee. Note that these programs may have earlier deadlines than the AIIS PhD application deadline. 

International applicants and other non-native English speakers must meet University requirements for English Language Proficiency (ELP), typically by taking the TOEFL iBT or the IELTS exam. Review these requirements carefully to understand if proficiency requirements and how to meet them.

Enter unofficial scores in the online application in the Tests section and upload an unofficial copy of your score report if desired.

Send official scores electronically:

• TOEFL: use institution code 6874
• IELTS: select University of Minnesota Graduate Admissions for the Institution/Organization and All Campuses for Department/Person.

Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted by the January 2 deadline. Additional letters will not be accepted.

Use your best judgment to select recommenders who can speak to your background and preparation for our program. Recommenders will be prompted to write a candid narrative evaluation of your qualifications and preparation for doctoral study in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. At least one letter should come from an academic adviser or mentor, if possible. Formal letters, 1-2 pages in length and submitted on letterhead, are preferred.

Please note the following:

• We recommend submitting requests early in your application process and communicating the submission deadline directly to your recommenders. 
• Recommenders receive an upload link by email when you click “Submit to Recommender” in the Recommendations section of the online application. 
• Letters can be uploaded while your application is in process as well as after it is submitted.
• If you need to change a recommender, log into your application and navigate to the Recommendations section, click on the recommender’s name, then click “exclude.”

Review more information about recommendations.
 

We do not restrict the length of this document and invite you to include all relevant qualifications both academic and non-academic (e.g., positions held, experiences and expertise, presentations and publications, fellowships and awards).

Upload your resume or CV in the Materials section of the application. 

The personal statement and diversity statement are required for all applicants, but the extenuating circumstances statement is optional. Upload statements to the Materials section of the application.

Personal Statement Prompt: Provide a statement (1000-1500 words) of your relevant goals and experiences and how these would be served by a PhD in American Indian and Indigenous Studies from the University of Minnesota. Your statement should:

• Describe your connections to and/or work with Indigenous nations/communities (please specify your tribal affiliation, if any). 
• Explain how your proposed research contributes to the intellectual project of American Indian and Indigenous Studies as reflected in the faculty and curriculum of this program.
• Identify faculty you are interested in working with and provide a convincing intellectual rationale for how and why your research interests connect with each faculty member you name.

Diversity Statement Prompt: Supporting the development of a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. This mission is enacted by the inclusion of academically excellent students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and/or a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Please write a statement (2 pages single-spaced maximum) that identifies the distinctive characteristics and/or life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that  you would bring to your graduate program and how that could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota.

Extenuating Circumstances Statement Prompt: An extenuating circumstances statement (250 words maximum) will be taken into consideration if submitted. A statement is most appropriate if you have experienced any serious medical, personal, or scholarly difficulties that have significantly impacted your academic performance. Details about personal situations, such as an illness, do not need to be disclosed for the impact of the circumstances to be taken into consideration.

Upload unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you attended, even if you did not receive a degree, to the Academic History section of the application.

The University only requires official transcripts from admitted applicants. Review more information about transcripts and credentials.

Provide a sample of your academic or professional writing that demonstrates your research skills and ability to formulate a strong argument. The sample does not need to be a formal paper, and can include public-facing work such as websites, reports, or creative expression as well as academic essays or chapters. The sample should typically be 25 pages or less.

Upload your sample to the Materials section of the application.