Admission Information

General Information

Interested students should follow the application procedures provided under "Apply Now." Applicants must select one of our degree programs under the School of Biomedical Sciences (e.g., Biomedical Sciences-Neurosciences).  Fall is the only term in which we admit students. 

Please see our specific program pages by clicking on the Program Areas tab to review admission requirements. We also highly advise potential applicants to review the typical profile of admitted students below, as meeting minimum university admissions requirements is typically not sufficient to be considered for admission.

Typical Profile of Admitted Students: Admission Expectations

Admission into the biomedical sciences programs is competitive. We historically accept on average 10.9% of applicants, thus meeting minimal university requirements will not be sufficient to receive an admission decision. We use a holistic review process to evaluate academic performance, understanding of research methodology and techniques, research potential, and persistence and commitment to a research career.

Below is the typical student profile to help you identify your competitiveness:

• Extensive research experience during undergraduate and/or during masters program.
• Average undergraduate GPA of 3.5 (on 4.0 scale) and average master GPA of 3.6.
• Academic preparation in undergraduate and/or graduate courses relevant to the program (see specific program information in the catalog).
• Strong letters of recommendation from faculty advisors who can speak on the applicant's research experience and attributes to be successful in graduate school.
• A strong goal statement that describes motivation to engage in biomedical research, including descriptions of prior research experience, long-term goals, and research interests they wish to pursue in graduate school. Identification of potential faculty advisors is optional but not required.

Application and Admission Timeline for Fall Admission

• We only offer fall admission into our programs.
• The application cycle opens in August. Starting in 2025, our deadline to apply is November 15th.
• Applications must be complete by December 1st for full consideration.
• Applications are reviewed in December-January. 
• Top applicants are interviewed in February-March.
• Final decisions are made in March-April.

For information on graduate assistantships, see Financial Assistance.

Faculty Advisor Selection

Choosing an advisor prior to arriving on campus is not required. All incoming students are expected to rotate through laboratories in the first year before selecting a faculty advisor.