Frequently Asked Questions
How do I arrange a graduate advisor?
During the application process, your file will be circulated to potential advisors. An interested faculty member may contact you and recruit you directly. Alternatively, you can contact prospective faculty advisors yourself and encourage them to consider taking you on as a student. You should try to match your own areas of interest with those of your potential advisor.
How does the graduate committee fit into my graduate training program?
Each student has a major advisor plus a graduate committee composed of two additional faculty for an M.S. degree and four additional faculty for a Ph.D. degree. The graduate committee members provide additional advice and guidance in areas that complement the expertise of the major advisor.
Admissions
What are the admissions requirements?
The EES admissions committee has guidelines for acceptance based on performance in prior coursework, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and prior research experience. In general, EES graduate students have undergraduate GPA’s above 3.0 to 3.2 and GRE scores ranging from 550 to 750 on the separate verbal and quantitative tests. However, each student is evaluated individually for overall potential as a graduate student.
When should I apply for admission?
Generally, you should apply by January for admission in September and by September for admission in January. Some students who apply in January make arrangements with their advisors to begin summer research in May or June prior to the beginning of the next academic year.
Can I apply directly to a Ph.D. program or must I apply to an M.S. program first?
There is no set rule on this. Students who have an M.S. degree are welcomed to apply for the doctoral program. Students who have a B.S. or B.A. degree are encouraged to apply for an M.S., prior to the Ph.D. degree. However, B.S./B.A. students with outstanding academic records and prior research experience are welcomed to apply for the Ph.D. degree.
What are the prerequisites for admission to the EES program?
We recognize that students come from varied backgrounds and have differing aims in their graduate training. In general, students who plan to focus on ecological studies will need prior coursework in biology, chemistry, and math. Other coursework may be required for students planning to focus on environmental policy and economics. You should direct specific questions to prospective advisors or the EES Graduate Coordinator.
Can I apply to more than one graduate program?
You are not prohibited from applying to more than one graduate program, but this requires careful coordination on your part, so that your application does not get lost in the shuffle. You should inform the Graduate School of your intent and should alert the Graduate Coordinators in each program, so that they know that the file is being reviewed in two places.
How do I set up a tour of the campus?
If you wish to visit the campus and to meet with students and staff, you can contact the EES program for assistance or can simply contact prospective faculty advisors and make arrangements to meet with them.
Where is the University of Maine located?
The campus is located in Orono in east-central Maine, roughly 10 miles north of Bangor, 220 miles north of Boston, and 50 miles west of the coastal town of Bar Harbor.
Are application forms available online?
Forms for graduate applications and letters of recommendation are available at Graduate Forms
How long will my application remain active?
Normally, applications remain active for 4-6 months during one cycle of admissions for the next academic semester. If you wish to keep the file active for the next round, inform the EES Graduate Coordinator.
When will I be informed of my admissions status?
Generally, admissions are processed on a rolling basis as a faculty advisor agrees to take on a student. When this happens, you receive a letter of acceptance from the Graduate School. During the application review process, you will receive occasional updates, but it may take several months to determine whether or not you have been selected for admission. You can contact the EES program at any time for an update.
What happens if I am not accepted?
If you are not accepted to graduate school, it may be worthwhile to enroll as a non-degree student at a university that offers graduate coursework. If you can demonstrate your ability to complete graduate classes in your field, it should greatly improve your chances for admission in the future. Generally, classes taken outside of a degree program can be transferred to your graduate program, when you are accepted.
Financial Aid and Graduate Assistantships
How are graduate students supported?
Most, but not all, full-time EES graduate students are supported by research assistantships (RA) or teaching assistantships (TA) arranged by their major advisors. The assistantships typically provide a tuition waiver for 9 cr/semester and a monthly stipend of roughly ,000 to ,000/month, depending on the source of the funding. Some students are appointed on 9-month fellowships, whereas others are appointed on 12-month assistantships. Some EES students secure their own funding through EPA STAR grant or NSF fellowship programs. Graduate work-study assistantships are also available on a competitive basis. The Graduate School offers an annual competition for tuition waivers, University Graduate RA’s, and summer research fellowships for students who are not fully supported.
Do graduate students receive health insurance?
Yes, graduate assistants are covered by a health insurance program (with a co-pay).
General Description of EES Graduate Program
Who are the EES graduate students?
There are roughly 60 M.S. and Ph.D. students in the EES Graduate Program representing a broad cross section of North American and international scholars.
What kinds of housing options are available?
Although graduate student housing is available on campus, most students live in local apartments and shared rental housing.
What kinds of recreational opportunities are available?
Outdoor recreation is almost limitless and includes canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, fishing, biking, running, skiing, sailing, scuba diving, and swimming.
Current EES Graduate Students
When should I form my graduate committee and submit my Program of Study?
Program of Study forms for Masters or Doctoral degrees should be completed by the end of the first semester or beginning of the second semester. (Download Adobe PDF Reader here.)
When should I present my pre-thesis seminar and complete my research proposal?
Students are encouraged to complete these program requirements by the end of the first year of study, and preferably before the initiation of research.
How do I change my Program of Study (POS) or the membership on my graduate committee?
The Graduate School has forms for changing the POS that require signatures from the committee and EES graduate coordinator. To change committee members, contact the EES graduate coordinator.
What forms are required by the Graduate School?
Visit the Graduate School website (Graduate Forms) to become familiar with requirements for thesis/dissertation formats and forms related to applying for graduation, thesis acceptance, and completion of requirements for the degree.
