About Graduate School in Geology
- Admissions Requirements for M.S. in Geological Sciences
- Find an Advisor Before Applying
- About the M.S.
Find an Advisor Before Applying
An M.S. student must complete a research-based thesis to graduate. The research is conducted in tandem with an advisor, so much greater attention is given to applicants with whom an individual professor has agreed to advise.
Applicants should contact one or more professors about their research and the possibility of working together. As a first step, applicants can email or call those professors whose research they find interesting. These professors will reply in kind and can answer questions about their own work, as well as questions concerning the graduate program.
The application process includes writing a letter of intent, which should clearly identify the professor with whom a mutual agreement has been made. The professor can act as an advocate for the applicant, which will greatly increase his or her standing among applicants.