Admissions, Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
Applicants who are interested in graduate study in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University should have a background in general biology and must have graduated from a recognized four-year college, university or institute of technology, or have earned equivalent credentials. Applications are online, and must be submitted and completed in order to be reviewed. The application package consists of:
- One official transcript from each college-level institution attended,whether or not a degree was conferred
- International students must provide one copy of each transcript, officially translated into English.
- An official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test
- The subject test is not required, but recommended. Photocopies of GRE scores will not be accepted, and scores must be no more than five years old.
- Institution code: CMU 2074
- Department code: Biology 0203
- An official report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from applicants whose native language is not English
- Photocopies of TOEFL scores will not be accepted, and scores must be no more than two years old. In special cases, the IELTS scores will be accepted.
- Institution code: CMU 2074
- Department code: Biology 35
- Three online letters of recommendation
- These letters should be from individuals who are in a position to evaluate the student's ability to successfully complete a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences; at least one letter should be from the college most recently attended.
- A Statement of Purpose
- This document should be a well-written, 1-2 page essay describing previous research experience, primary areas of interest, motives for a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and reasons for considering the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon for graduate work.
- A US $50 non-refundable administrative processing fee for international applicants (non-United States citizens). There is no application fee for citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Credit card payments are accepted via the linked webpage in the online application. The fee will NOT be waived and the application will not be processed without payment.
The Admissions Committee will review all completed applications and invite selected applicants (domestic students and international students who are presently residing in the United States) to visit the department for interviews.
The interview visits in 2010 are February 11-12 and February 25-26. Selected international applicants living outside the United States may receive a telephone interview.
The final deadline to apply (i.e., the submitted online application) is January 1; we will accept transcripted letters of recommendation arriving shortly after that date. All students are notified of acceptance for the fall semester by April 1.
