What does one need to do to enter a graduate school program?
The application process. -- The process of applying for entry into a graduate school program has some common general features, but varies by institution and by program within an institution. Generally speaking, you apply to two places -- to the university (typically, the Graduate School) and to the program within a department. At most universities, the Graduate School has online instructions and forms that are very simple to understand and complete. But, the process at the department level is more involved and important. Departments typically have a website or at least they have contact information (a faculty member who is the Graduate Coordinator) and they include details of the structure of the program and how to apply. You should look at and interact with the Department first, because, it is the department that accepts you as a student. Also, at many universities it is the department that awards full tuition waivers and stipends -- and the deadlines for consideration of stipends is usually December - February the year prior to starting in the Fall.
The following are the typical requirements to enter graduate programs in the Biological Sciences:
a). you have taken the GRE general exam and subject area exam
b). you have or will graduate with a bachelor's degree in the field
c). you have completed specific courses in the field
d). you have 3 letters of recommendation from professors in the field
e). you have met other specific requirements of the program
f). you have contacted and been accepted by a research advisor in the program
Concerning undergraduate courses and degrees. -- Most graduate programs in the Biological Sciences expect that you have completed a B.S. in Biology (or some related biological field) by the time you would enter their program, that you have taken typical core biology and physical science courses, calculus, statistics, and 5-6 upperlevel elective biology courses that are relevant to the specific graduate program you wish to enter. Of course, they expect that you have done well in these courses -- typical science GPAs of entering students are 3.2 or higher, although lower GPAs can be acceptable if your junior/senior years are outstanding and you have had significant relevant experiences (especially undergraduate research). Most graduate programs do an assessment of a student's background, sometimes including an oral or written test. Based on a student's previous coursework and skills, specific graduate courses might be required as part of your curriculum.
Relevant experience, including especially Undergraduate Research. -- Because graduate programs involve research, the single most important experience you can have is participation in Undergraduate Research. Whether you did a summer research project at another institution during your undergraduate career, or did a 2-year project with a faculty member in our department is immaterial. The important thing is that you participated and that you have learned how to do a research project. Having communication skills -- being able to create and present a powerpoint presentation in front of an audience -- is extremely valuable. Completing an honors thesis and being able to show that thesis (assuming it is of good quality) to a prospective research advisor is extremely valuable. Participation in professional meetings, especially if you make a presentation is extremely valuable -- its shows that you can work and interact with professional biologists. Having a publication in a scientific journal (or one that is in the process of being reviewed) is the most valuable experience you can have.
In addition to undergraduate research, attending our Faculty Research Seminars and Guest Lectures and understanding how these things work are extremely valuable. Being comfortable and professionally conversant (being able to ask questions of speakers) is extremely valuable. Other relevant experiences can include volunteering or internships at institutions or in programs that are appropriate for the field you are trying to enter. For example, having an internship at a zoo that involves care of animals could be very appropriate for someone trying to enter a wildlife program.
GRE general and subject area exams. -- All graduate programs require the general exam of the GRE. This is generally similar to the ACT/SAT exams that you took to enter undergraduate school. Most universities and departments -- remember that the department accepts/rejects your application first -- have minimum acceptable scores for the general exam. Many departments weigh the general GRE score heavily in their decision to accept a student and most of them will use it as a major factor for awarding stipends -- so they are very important. Like the ACT/SAT exams, you can study for the exam, there are classes you can take, and the ETS (they run the exam) has excellent materials to help you prepare (see below). Because departments award their stipends sometime in Dec - Jan - Feb (you need to find their deadline), it is imperative that you have taken the general GRE in time for the scores to be available then. Generally speaking, you should take the general GRE exam in the Spring or Summer the year prior to the year you want to begin graduate school (this is similar to the situation for the MCAT and medical school).
| GRE General Test |
Concerning the subject area GRE exams, some graduate programs require them and others do not. You need to check with potential programs to see their requirements. There are two relevant subject area exams for the Biological Sciences -- a) Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, and b) Biology.
See also many GRE tutorial website, such as – www.mygretutor.com
Finding a research advisor and being accepted by the department -- If you visit websites of various graduate programs in the Biological Sciences and talk to Loyola faculty and visiting biologists, you will realize that there are many variations on how prospective students find and secure a research advisor. In most biology graduate programs, a prospective graduate student must contact potential research advisors before they apply and, often, you correspond with them extensively and even visit them at professional meetings or at their institution. If they "accept" you as a potential student, their commitment to you is an important part of the acceptance process -- especially with regards to the awarding of stipends. Contacts with research advisors are often facilitated by good letters of recommendation and by personal contacts of your Loyola professors with them. Often, we will be able to point you towards a professor or program that we believe are of high quality, but also we know them and they know us.
In contrast, in some laboratory biosciences, especially those housed within health sciences centers and medical schools, students do not contact and join a research advisor prior to or during the application process, but are accepted by a committee of faculty in the department. When an accepted student enters the program, they go through a series of rotations, spending a few months in each of several faculty members' research labs and then selecting (or be accepted by) an advisor with whom they will spend the next 4-5 years working (esp. for the Ph.D.).
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
The writing of letters of recommendation is an important faculty responsibility. As noted above, not only are letters required for application to graduate / professional schools -- they are often one of the most important factors in any application process. The faculty take this responsibility very seriously. To write a strong, positive, and effective letter requires that the letter-writer truly know the person they are writing for and about. Make sure you cultivate your relationships with faculty over your entire career. Request recommendation letter from only those faculty who truly know you well as a student.
Contents
Knowing yourself -- what are your interests and skills?
Fields and Careers in Biology
Finding out about opportunities -- what to do, where to go
What does one need to do to enter a graduate school program?
What is graduate school life like?