Selection Process

How does the selection process work?

In order to identify the most promising candidates, faculty members of the research school and the coordination office participate in a multistep selection procedure as outlined below. In general, applicants will be evaluated based on their academic qualification, aptitude for research, achievements, motivation, scientific background and the letters of recommendation.

a) First round of selection:

Complete applications will be reviewed after the deadline of application and a first round of selection will be carried out. During the review process, we may give you a ring or arrange a skype interview to further discuss your application, your interests and your future plans.

b) Second round of selection:

Applicants that successfully have passed the first round of selection will be reviewed thoroughly and independently by three faculty members of the research school. Your application will likely be reviewed by faculty members that you have listed in your preference list or by faculty members working in your favorite research field. During the review process, we may give you a ring or arrange a skype interview to further discuss with you your application, your interests and your future plans.

c) Subsequent selection steps:

The most promising candidates will be invited to participate in subsequent seletion steps. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, those will be conducted using online tools. Invited candidates will have a panel interview with the selection committee and individual interviews with faculty members of the research school (i.e. potential supervisors).

To get accepted to the school candidates need to
a) perform well in the panel interview and
b) establish a match with a supervisor who will offer the candidate a position in his/her group.

Please note that candidates that fulfill both criteria, will be invited to Munich, to visit the future supervisor and his/her team. IMPRS-LS will cover travel expenses and accommodation for the trip to Munich.

d) Final decision:

The selection committee will finally approve the established matches between candidates and supervisors and will accept those candidates to the IMPRS-LS. Accepted students may start their research project anytime between March 01 and October 01 (with prior consultation of the supervisor). Official start of the program is October 01 each year.

e) Verification of international degrees:

Academic degrees issued in foreign countries will have to be approved by the admissions and registration office of the university that will award the doctoral degree (normally either Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) or Technische Universität München (TUM)). The coordination office will assist accepted students in these procedures.