Food and Agriculture

We appreciate your interest in our MS programs. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers for applicants. If you have questions that are not answered below, please email the address at the end of this list.

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Question: How should I begin the application process?

Answer: The first step is to contact members of our faculty. It is important to identify a faculty member who is willing and able to support your admission to the program. Applicants who are not matched to faculty advisors cannot be admitted to our MS programs.

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Question: How do I find and contact faculty members about my interest in working with them?

Answer: Explore the diverse research interests of faculty in the School of Food and Agriculture and read more about the MS program in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (PSE) and the MS program in Horticulture. Prospective students are encouraged to email specific faculty members with whom they would like to study. Steps to reach out to faculty are listed below. Please complete these steps prior to submitting an application:

1. Review faculty profiles and identify faculty whose research interests you.
2. Email the top two to three faculty members that you would like to work with.
3. If a faculty member indicates their interest in working with you, schedule a follow-up phone call or video meeting.
4. If faculty indicate they are not currently taking on students, revisit your faculty list, and reach out to other professors.
5. If no faculty in the program are accepting students with your interests, explore other programs at the University of Maine or other institutions. Serious applicants typically reach out to many professors across multiple universities. 

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Question: How do I reach out to a specific faculty member in the program?

Answer: Follow these guidelines as you contact faculty by email:

1. Keep your email brief and your communication direct.
2. Avoid flattery, grandiose statements, or corporate marketing language (“highly motivated student” or “strong track record”). The recipient of your email wants information that helps them determine how your interests align.
3. Describe your personal connection to, or interest in, the work of the faculty member. Do not copy and paste the recipient’s own research interests from their faculty profile.
4. You may attach your resume/CV and transcripts.
5. Please wait three to four weeks before following up if you do not hear a response.
6. If a faculty member indicates they are unable to accept a new student, or does not reply after two attempts, please move on in your search. Faculty receive emails from far more potential students than they can accept into their programs.

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Question: When are applications due?

Answer: Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling basis. Our MS programs have no official deadlines for priority consideration, and the start date for the program varies with the availability of faculty support. For this reason, application deadlines are something to discuss with a potential advisor. Ideally, you should contact faculty two or three semesters before your intended start date.

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Question: Where do I submit my application to the MS program?

Answer: Submit your application using this online form.

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Question: What do I need to submit with my application to the MS programs in PSE or Horticulture?

Answer: A completed application includes the following:

1. Online application with a letter of intent

1. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment meaningfully on your potential for success in graduate school

1. Official transcripts of all your previous college work; unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application, but official transcripts must be provided upon request

1. Test scores

The GRE is not required for the MS programs in PSE and Horticulture.

Official English proficiency examination scores are required from international applicants, unless the applicant has received a degree from an English-speaking institution. The University of Maine Graduate School accepts the following score reports sent directly from the testing agency:

TOEFL (minimum score 82)

IELTS (minimum score 6.5)

Pearson PTE (minimum score 65)

Duolingo English Test (minimum score 115)

1. $65 application fee; please note that application fee waivers are not available through our MS programs; refer to the Graduate School’s Frequently Asked Questions for information about fee waivers through the Graduate School.

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Question: What should I write in my application essay?

Answer: Faculty are regular people too, so you can write to us plainly about your interest in graduate school! Please keep your essay brief; 500 words is a good limit. This letter of intent or personal statement should clearly communicate your strengths and your objectives for graduate school. Be sure to identify faculty with whom you have communicated. Briefly explain your broad areas of interest and some opportunities for you and faculty in the program to work together. As you consider research ideas, keep in mind that a student admitted into the program will develop a research project through a collaborative process with a faculty advisor. You may also wish to acknowledge or explain any weaknesses in your application. It should be clear by the end of your essay why the program is a good fit for you and your career goals. 

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Question: Do I really need to contact faculty members before I apply?

Answer: Yes. Applicants who have not reached out to specific faculty are unlikely to be admitted, as an applicant must be matched with a faculty advisor to be accepted into the program. The best procedure is to submit an application only after a potential advisor has suggested that you do so.

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Question: How soon will my application be processed?

Answer: It varies, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes applications are processed within a couple weeks, and sometimes they take quite a bit longer. For the best understanding of what is happening with your application, contact the faculty member who encouraged you to apply. Please do not email the graduate coordinator asking for updates about admissions decisions. Official decisions will be communicated through the Graduate School once your application has been processed. 

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Question: Is funding available? How do I find out?

Answer: Funding varies among faculty as a function of their research appointments and active research grants. Reach out to specific faculty to determine whether they have the capacity to support a student. Please do not ask the Graduate Coordinator whether specific faculty have funding or graduate positions available.

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Question: What is an assistantship and how do I get one?

Answer: An assistantship is a resource that students in the program receive when a faculty member or program has the resources to financially support them. Students on assistantships typically receive a tuition waiver, a stipend, and up to half of the cost of health insurance coverage. Although acceptance into the program is possible without an assistantship or other means of financial support, it is not typical.

Students receive a research assistantship when their advisor has the resources to support them in the program. Alternatively, a student may receive a teaching assistantship under some circumstances, in exchange for teaching undergraduate courses.

In addition to assistantships offered through our program, the University of Maine Graduate School describes additional scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships that may be available.

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Question: I am an international student interested in applying to a program at UMaine. What other information do I need to know?

Answer: Please visit the Graduate School’s page of questions frequently asked by international applicants. These include questions about English proficiency exam requirements, financial documentation, obtaining an I-20, and deadlines for visa processing.

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Question: I noticed your programs are thesis-based. What does this mean?

Answer: The MS program in PSE and the MS program in Horticulture are thesis-based programs. Students and advisors identify a committee of at least three faculty members, develop a program of study (minimum 30 credits), and the student develops a thesis research proposal under the guidance of their committee. The student completes meaningful original research, prepares a thesis, and presents and defends their thesis research prior to graduation. Typically, a thesis-based MS program takes about 2 years to complete.

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Question: I want to apply to a PhD program instead of an MS program. Can I apply to a PhD program to work with faculty affiliated with the PSE and Horticulture programs?

Answer: Yes, our faculty advise PhD students through several interdepartmental graduate programs. Typically, PhD students working with our faculty are enrolled in the Biological Sciences PhD program or the Ecology and Environmental Sciences PhD program. The first step is always to discuss research possibilities with our faculty, who can help direct you to the best program for your application.  

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Question: What do I do if I have other questions not listed above?

Answer: Please check the program guidelines for the MS programs in PSE and Horticulture for additional degree information. Next, search the Graduate School’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

If you still have questions, please email the Graduate Coordinator at bryan.j.peterson@maine.edu.