Admissions/Application

Prospective Students
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The Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology offers its own rigorous Ph.D. program, but also participates in the College of Medicine's Ph.D. Flex Option for Graduate Students in Biomedical Sciences, as well providing research training via the combined M.D./Ph.D. program of the College of Medicine. In addition, the department offers an M.S. program with either a thesis track or a non-thesis track option. Individuals who have bachelor's or master's degrees in microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, genetics or related fields are strongly encouraged to apply to whichever program suits their needs.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for either the doctoral or master's programs are expected to have a strong undergraduate background in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics with an overall GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. The department requires that all applicants take the general aptitude test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). In some instances MCAT scores may be acceptable. Minimal GRE percentile scores of competitive applicants are in the range of 70-80%. Applicants are encouraged to take one of the advanced tests in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics, but this is not required. The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and should be taken so that results are available by February 1 of the admission year.

HOW TO APPLY
Ph.D. applications are due by February 1 for matriculation in the Summer or Fall Quarter. Master's applications are due by March 1 for Fall Quarter. Late applications will only be considered if vacancies still exist. There are two principal steps that must be followed in order to submit a complete application to this program:

1. The following items are to be mailed directly to the Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology at the address given below:
2. All applicants to graduate programs at the University of Cincinnati are required to submit an online application to the Graduate School - this can be accessed at www.grad.uc.edu. There is a $40 application fee, which can either be paid by credit card online, or else by check or money order. If you plan to use this latter method of payment please pay particular attention to the instructions given. Note that you must indicate the graduate program of interest (i.e., Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology - Ph.D. or M.S.) in step 1 of the online application. This information will be forwarded to us by the Graduate School.

• A Resumé (or curriculum vitae) outlining your education and work career, publications, honors and awards, previous research activities, etc.
• A one page Biographical Essay that includes relevant information about your background, your reasons for applying to graduate school, and your career aspirations.
• Official Transcripts of all college-level work taken for credit at any college or university. Transcripts should include evidence of degree conferred (where appropriate) and bear the original signature of the authorized official and the seal of the institution. Transcripts should be sent directly to the department by the institution - please use the address the given below.
• Three Letters of Recommendation (with attached Personal Reference Forms).Complete Part I of the Personal Reference Form yourself (see download information below). Then, please ask three persons who can assess your academic qualifications, interests and potential for graduate study (ordinarily professors in your major field and/or scientists familiar with your research) to complete Part II of this form. In addition, each of these three people should provide us with a personal Letter of Recommendation. Please ask them to send both items (i.e., form and letter) directly to our office - see address below. Letters of recommendations must be on official university/department letterhead.

  Download Personal Reference Form (PDF format) here. Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 or higher is needed to read this file.

• Official reports of results on the following examinations sent to the department by Educational Testing Service (photocopies of score reports will not be accepted).

1. Graduate Record Examination. It is suggested that this test be taken no later than December in order for scores to be received by the February 1 deadline. Our institution code is 1833; department code 0202 or 0212.
2. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is other than English. Our institution code is 1833; department code 07 or 34.

   If you have any questions regarding these examinations, please contact the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

   Send all completed application materials to:

   Graduate Program Coordinator
   Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology
   University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
   P.O. Box 670524
   Cincinnati, OH 45267-0524

Your application is not complete and cannot be acted upon until all of the above items have been received in this office. You will hear directly from the department concerning your application for admission and financial aid.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION
International students who are either in, or coming to, the United States on student (F1) visas can only be granted graduate admission on a full-time basis. As noted above students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before they can be considered for admission. This requirement may be waived with permission from the University Dean for those international students who have a 4 year degree from an accredited American college or university and who have studied oral and written English while a student in the American college or university. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 600 (paper test), 250 (computer test) or 100 (internet based test). Students admitted into our program typically have TOEFL scores of 610 or higher. Non-native speakers of English who receive financial awards from University general funds are required to take the University of Cincinnati's Oral English Proficiency (OEP) Test upon arrival at the University of Cincinnati. In addition, all international students are required to carry student health insurance.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Your application materials will be reviewed by the Graduate Program Committee (consisting of 7-8 faculty members and a student nominated by the departmental Graduate Student Association) - decisions on whom to invite for interview are typically made in January and February. We usually invite numerous students at a time for interview - in that way we can best showcase the department and its facilities, as well as giving candidates the opportunity to meet potential future classmates. During the interview day you will meet both faculty and current students already enrolled in the program, so that many opportunities are available to have your questions answered. In addition, of course, all your travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the graduate program. Typically, there are also opportunities to see something of the city of Cincinnati and its surroundings. Our goal is that at the end of your visit you will have seen both the exciting academic and personal opportunities that being a graduate student in our program extends.

Decisions on admission are made subsequent to interview and are the responsibility of the Graduate Program Committee. Recommendations for admission are reviewed and approved by the Department Director. New students may be admitted at any time; typically acceptances are announced by March 15 and students are requested to respond by April 15. Students must arrive the Wednesday after Labor Day for orientation and to begin their first research laboratory rotation. However, we strongly encourage students to begin their graduate career in early July (with full financial support) in order to get a head start on their laboratory experiences before their formal course work begins in the Fall.

ADMISSION WITH ADVANCED STATUS
Students admitted into the program with previous graduate level training will be notified in writing at the time of admission if they qualify for "advanced status". Doctoral students can petition the Graduate Program Committee for the transfer of up to nine graduate credits for work completed at other institutions; Master's students can petition to transfer up to six credit hours. This may be for course work or for special projects, research or equivalent. For these students the Graduate Program Committee will determine course requirements. To be excused from an advanced level course at a date later than the time of admission requires a majority recommendation of the Graduate Program Committee. Advanced status students may also elect to complete the candidacy exam earlier than usual.