Application procedure
From EESwiki
Here you can find information about the application procedure for the EESlmu Master program. For the formal description of the procedure see Media:SelectionProceduresEESMaster.pdf
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Deadline: January 31, 2010
The deadline for students who wish to enter the program in October 2010 will be January 31, 2010 for non-EU students and the June 30, 2010 for EU students.
We will complete all interviews (in person, or by Skype) by March 10, 2010, and we will announce our decisions by March 15, 2010. Successful applicants will then have until April 15, 2010, to decide whether or not they will join the program. This should give international students sufficient time to make visa arrangements and find housing in Munich. Students must arrive in Munich by October 4, 2010 for a two-week orientation session. Teaching starts on October 18.
The application
To apply, you need to send us the following documents, initially as a single PDF-file:
- a CV, in English, including a list of courses you have taken and the grades for the courses (including an explanation of the grading system).
- a copy of your high school diploma and/or any higher education entrance qualifications (such as the Abitur).
- a copy of your Bachelor's degree. If you don't have this, you should include a Transcript of Records which shows that you can finish your Bachelor's degree before the 1st of October 2010.
- a letter of motivation (in English) in which you specifically explain why you want to attend our program (max 2 pages). This is very important - we recommend that you invest considerable time and effort into this letter.
- proof that you have sufficient knowledge of English. This can be a ToEFL test (with score 550 in a written test or 213 in a computer-based test or 79 in an internet-based test; Ludwig-Maxmillians U Biology TOEFL Code Number 4260), a IELTS test (Academic format: minimum score 6.0 with no part of the test less than 5.0), a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (minimum score A or B) or a Certificate of Proficiency in English (minimum score A or B). Other proofs (such as a university degree from an English study program) might also be accepted.
The formal requirements
Applicants will only be considered if they can realistically finish their Bachelor's degree before the start of the program. Applicants must have a background in biology or must show that they have a keen interest in evolution, ecology or systematics (for example, by showing that he or she has attended courses in these fields).
You can download the current version (Jan 2008) of the Satzung über die Eignungsfeststellung, which describes (in German) the selection procedure for the EES Master's Program. Don't worry if you do not read German - all of the important information is on this page.
The procedure
The selection committee will first check that the formal requirements are met. If this is the case, at least two people from the selection committee will read each application independently and grade it on a scale of 1-5 (1=highest score, 5=lowest score). The committee members will focus on whether the applicant 1) is likely to excel at the courses and scientific work that he or she will have to do while a student in the EES Master's program, and 2) shows sufficient interest in the topics that are covered within the EES Master's program. If the average of the grades is 2.5 or better, then the applicant will be asked to arrange an interview. The interview will take place in Munich for German and EU citizens. For non-EU citizens (or those unable to travel to Munich), the interview will be conducted by Skype videoconferencing software. If this is not possible, a telephone interview can be conducted from the applicant's university, a German consulate or embassy, or a DAAD office.
Before the interview, the applicant will be asked to send a short (maximum of 7 slides) powerpoint presentation, saved as a PDF file, to the committee. The talk can be on any topic in biology - for example, the applicant's previous research or an area that he/she might like to focus on during the Master's degree. The applicant will present this talk during the first five minutes of the interview.
At the interview, at least two members of the selection committee will be present. The purpose of the interview is twofold. The selection committee will ask the applicant questions to find out whether the participant is a good fit for the program, but the participant is also encouraged to ask questions to find out whether the EES Master's program is a good choice for him or her. The decision on admission is usually made within a few days after the interview.
If the selection committee deems the applicant suitable for the program, the applicant will be offered a place in the program starting in October of that year. Applicants that are admitted to the EES Master's program do not have to apply to the LMU separately. However, they need to send their (certified) official documents, so that the LMU can check that they are valid, issued by a recognized university, and meet all LMU requirements. After passing this check, applicants will receive a formal acceptance letter from the LMU, which will provide further instructions regarding exactly what they must bring to Munich in order to register with the university.
If at any stage during the procedure, the selection committee finds the applicant not suited for the program, the committee will let the applicant know that their application is no longer being considered.
Tips
- It is always a good idea to contact the program coordinator before you officially apply. If you want, you can visit the Biozentrum and talk to the coordinator, teachers or students to get an idea of whether the program fits to your background, your needs, and your future plans.
- If you are interested in the program because you want to do your Master's thesis with a specific researcher who is associated with the program, you are encouraged to contact this person before you formally apply to the program.
- We prefer if you apply by e-mail, but if necessary you can also apply by normal mail. Please send us a single PDF file with all the documents in it. Make sure the documents you send have your last name as the first part of the document name. For example, your file could be called Lastname_Application.pdf.
- Keep your CV and letter of motivation short and focused.
- In your motivation letter, in addition to providing your own background in the subject, don't forget to tell us what you expect from the EES Master's program - that is, which skills do you hope to improve, and what knowledge and experience do you hope to gain?
- You don't need to include a picture with your CV (even though this is common in Germany).
- Have a look at the frequently asked questions.
Address to send the application to / for more information
Elena Berg, Ph.D.
EES Coordinator
Tel: 0049 89 2180 74 208
berg*at*bio.lmu.de
LMU Biozentrum
Department Biologie II
University of Munich (LMU)
Großhaderner Str. 2
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried
Germany
