How does the application work?

• The common application will be completed as a Qualtrics form.
  • Note: this is much easier to do on a computer than a mobile device.
• You will only need to upload your resume once. (File Size Max: 350MB)
• You will choose and rank the teams you wish to apply for.
  • Note: the most strategic approach is to base rankings on your genuine interest in the projects.
  • This video from the National Resident Matching Program provides a general overview on how our matching process works.
• For each team you choose to apply to, you will complete a separate Experience & Interest Form detailing your qualifications.
  

How many projects should I apply for?

• You may apply for as many teams as you like! The average student applies for 4 or 5 projects. More or less than that is also fine.
• Note: applicants will receive one offer (at most) and declining an offer removes you from the pool.

How do I know what role or skillset to apply for?

• Students apply to a team, rather than a specific role on the team. Each member of the team will work across all functions. (Pro tip: you can indicate in your Experience & Interest Form that you are particularly interested in a particular area.)
• For Research Teams, the faculty will assign subteams. First and second year students, generally considered “Apprentice researchers”, will be assigned to a subteam as well; where they will focus on developing skills, rather than taking on technical leadership roles.

Does it matter when I apply?

We do not process the applications until after October 6th. There is no advantage to completing it early – other than, students who wait until 11:30 pm on the 6th sometimes experience issues with the uploads taking longer than they expected, and may not make the deadline. So plan ahead!

How do the credits work?

All projects require students to enroll for academic credit for both semesters. 

MDP Faculty Research Teams (FRST teams):

• Undergraduate and graduate students are required to enroll in 2 credits/semester for at least 2 terms.
• Once on a team, research students are encouraged to continue beyond 2 terms and you do not need to reapply or continue enrolling after you finish the 2 term commitment. If you want to switch teams, you need to reapply in the fall.

MDP Industry Sponsored Projects:

• Undergraduate students are required to enroll in 7 credit hours split across two terms (3/4 or 4/3). Undergraduate students are expected to work 14-16 hours a week. Four or more of these hours per week should be team based-work.
• Graduate students are required to enroll in 4 credit hours split across two terms (2/2). Graduate students are expected to work 8 hours a week. Four or more of these hours per week should be team-based work.

I don’t think I have room to take MDP for credit.

You must enroll for credit in order to participate in the program. Before you apply, please connect (via email, walk-in advising, or a scheduled appointment) with your departmental academic advisor or graduate coordinator to make sure the project fits into your schedule, and whether or not it will impact future semesters or graduation timelines.

Can I use the credits toward my degree?

All students can count the credits toward the required number of credits to graduate.

Many students can use ENGR course credit for direct degree substitution.
Click here to see your department’s academic policy for MDP credits.

Additional Information about Eligiblity.

• The projects only start in the Winter semester. No fall starts available!
• You need to be a student on the Ann Arbor campus through December 2025.
• The 2 semester committment is non-negotiable.
  

I am currently a senior but I plan to do SUGS/go to graduate school at U-M. Can I apply?

• We do have people who apply as second-semester seniors, but please be sure to let us know in the application (that’s a good thing for the experience/interest form – “I have applied for a master’s degree in XYZ which would be relevant to this project because ….”

Attention International Students on F1 Visas: Almost all industry sponsored teams require the use of part-time CPT. In order to be eligible to use the part-time CPT, a student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis while physically present in the US for one academic year (i.e. two full consecutive terms). Students on F1 Visa who qualify for CPT are allowed 20 hours of part-time CPT per week during each semester they are enrolled. This type of CPT is available on a “use it or lose it” basis.

These measures are in place to protect your visa status. See the International Center’s website for more information.

Faculty research projects and industry sponsored projects sponsored within the University of Michigan do not require CPT.

All projects will indicate if part-time CPT is required.

I submitted my application but made an error (GPA, declared major, ranking of projects, etc.)

As part of our post-application processing, we do a student records data pull for all students and will correct any academic discrepancies (like year in school) as it arises. For any other specific issues, please email our office directly.

How competitve are the projects?

About 40%-60% of applicants are offered a position. The precise number and percentages depend on the year and the particular needs of each project. Some projects are more competitive than others.

What happens when the application closes?

The application has a hard closure on October 6 at 11:59 PM. Offers will go out on a rolling basis as teams are formed, but students will only receive one offer, and will have a specified number of business days to reply.

Offers are sent via email beginning in early November. All applicants will be contacted no later than mid-December regarding their application status.

After the priority October deadline, students may indicate interest by joining the waitlist.  Priority on the waitlist is based on the student best able to fulfill the needs of the specific position available (not the time you joined). 

Some projects receive so many applicants (e.g., 100+ for 5 positions)  that they are not included as options in the waitlist.