The Biomedical Sciences Cluster | The University of Chicago

Admissions - Application Information

Admission to Graduate Studies

Prospective student candidates interested in admission for studies leading to advanced degrees in the Biomedical Sciences Cluster (Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, Microbiology and Pathology/Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine) must submit:

A completed application.
Transcripts; official, final transcripts will be required prior to matriculation.
At least three letters of recommendation from college or university professors who know the applicant's work well. Individuals who have been away from school for several years may submit recommendations from their employers.
Graduate Record Examination scores. When sending GRE scores, the Institution code for the University of Chicago is 1832. The Department code for Biological Sciences is 299. Subject exam is optional.
TOEFL scores are required for international students. The English Language Proficiency requirement may be waived if the applicant studied on full-time status for at least one academic year (within the last five years) in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and English medium universities in Canada and South Africa.

It is strongly recommended that applicants apply directly to one of the five graduate programs within the Biomedical Sciences. The Biomedical Sciences Cluster is not a graduate program but an administrative unit. It is in the best interest of applicants to apply to programs in rank order based on interest (highest to lowest). Applicants need not identify four individual programs, however the option is available should a student be undecided on their area of specialization. It is perfectly acceptable to apply to only one program. Applicants currently residing outside the US should send all application materials via air mail.

Evidence of a sound background in the biological sciences is important as well as academic credentials suggesting that the candidate has the ability to pursue advanced study and research successfully. Previous research experience, while not required, is considered an asset.

All applications to programs in the Biomedical Sciences Cluster (Cancer Biology, Immunology, Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, Microbiology, and Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine) must be submitted on-line. The application opens in September and the deadline is December 1st. The programs generally do interviews in January and February, with final decisions completed by mid-March and formal letters of acceptance sent from the Dean's office by early April. Accepted applicants matriculate in the following Fall quarter.

Special Programs

The MSTP/ISTP and MD/PhD. programs are facilitated at Chicago because of the close ties with the Pritzker School of Medicine, which is a component of the Division of Biological Sciences. These programs add another dimension to our scholarly interests. While there is considerable sharing of courses, thesis sponsors and other resources among these programs, each special program has additional, unique features that appeal to certain highly motivated students. We also enjoy strong intellectual collaboration with graduate programs in other Divisions, especially in Chemistry, Geophysical Sciences and Behavioral Sciences.

Minority Applicants

We especially encourage applications from African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Island candidates. The Division of Biological Sciences is committed to enabling qualified minority students for future careers in teaching, research and industry. The Division's Graduate Minority Committee was formed in 1993 in an effort to improve recruitment and mentoring of students from underrepresented ethnic minorities. We also encourage prospective minority applicants who have recently received their Bachelor's degree to explore the Biological Sciences Division's Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), which includes many of our faculty as mentors and provides an opportunity to gain research experience prior to applying for graduate programs.

Questions?

If you have questions about completing your application, you may email them to BSD.OGPA@lists.uchicago.edu or call 773-702-5853.

Admissions Information

Cancer Biology

Immunology

Microbiology

Molecular Metabolism
and Nutrition

Molecular Pathogenesis and
Molecular Medicine