Graduate Application Assistance Program

BME/Academics/Graduate/Graduate Admissions/Graduate Application Assistance Program

The BME GAAP application opened on September 1st, 2024, and all applications must be received by November 4th to be considered.

What is BME GAAP?

The BME Graduate Application Assistance Program (BME GAAP) is a student-run initiative at the University of Michigan that supports prospective applicants from non-traditional paths or historically disadvantaged backgrounds, as described below, by pairing them with current graduate students who can help review application materials throughout the process of applying to a BME Ph.D. program. 

The graduate students who serve as mentors are acting as volunteers, and make no guarantee that students who participate as mentees will be accepted into the University of Michigan BME Ph.D. program or any other academic program.

Our Mission

The BME GAAP aims to encourage applications to BME PhD programs from students that will help shape a respectful and diverse academic community. We do this by providing improved accessibility and guidance throughout the application process for those that may need it most. Diversity of background, thought, and of life experience is essential in cultivating vibrant scientific communities within BME programs.  BME GAAP will provide guidance to motivated applicants who identify with groups that are historically disadvantaged, underrepresented within STEM, or come from non-traditional academic backgrounds and may lack support and/or guidance in their pursuit of higher education. These students may be less likely to know how to navigate the application process; to know what graduate school application reviewers are looking for; to know how best to approach a CV or a personal statement. 

Who is eligible to be a Mentee?

Mentees are:

  • Currently undergoing the process of applying to BME PhD programs- including but not limited to University of Michigan BME.

Mentees are one or more of the following:

  • A member of an under-represented racial or ethnic group
  • Students who identify as LGBTQ+
  • First-generation college students
  • Have a disability, visible or invisible
  • International students
  • A member of another group that will add diversity to BME PhD programs

Diversity has a broad definition, so we try to include anyone who feels they are a part of any group that may have less access to resources and knowledge about graduate school.

How to apply

To join the program as a mentee, you must fill out a short application (link below) including a submission of your CV and personal statement, after which the BME GAAP board members will review. Once all materials are received and eligibility is confirmed, prospective applicants will be paired with graduate student mentors. The earlier this application is received, the sooner prospective students will be matched with a current graduate student in our program. 

Applications to the Biomedical Engineering Application Assistance Program will be accepted through November 4 to allow our volunteers enough time to review the prospective student’s provided materials before their application deadlines.

Apply by filling out the google form here.