Admissions Information
If you are interested in applying to the graduate program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, please apply on-line. We no longer accept applications by mail. Any questions or inquiries should be directed to Helen Brunelle (Helen.Brunelle@uvm.edu or 802-656-1112).
Faculty advisors on the Admissions Committee would be happy to speak with you about your application at any point in the process, including before you apply. If you would like to know whether your application will be strong enough to justify the expense of the application fee, have a concern about some particular aspect of your application, or would simply like to know more about the Admissions process, please contact a Pre-application Advisor.
Admission to the Program
MMG admits students into the Ph.D. program and the Ph.D. portion of the M.D.-Ph.D. program. Normally, MMG does not admit students directly into the M.S. program. However, in certain cases (e.g., University of Vermont undergraduate students admitted into the Accelerated Master’s Program, or Ph.D. candidates who are not admitted to candidacy) MMG may award an M.S. degree. In these cases, specific guidelines/policies apply.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for admission to the Ph.D. program require that the candidate have a baccalaureate degree prior to the date of first enrollment, as well as:
- One year of Biology
- One year of Organic Chemistry
- One year of Inorganic Chemistry
- One year of Physics
- Mathematics through Calculus
Students who have not taken all of the prerequisite courses as undergraduates but have a good academic record may be admitted to the program and required to make up any deficiencies early in the program.
Documents required for application
The application form should be submitted as soon as possible. There is a non-refundable application fee of $40. For further information on the on-line application process, please visit UVM’s Graduate College site.
Personal statement
Please let us know, in one or two pages, why you want to go to graduate school. Describe any research experience you may have and how this relates to your plans/interests.
Transcripts
You should submit an official transcript from each college or university attended and an English translation of any transcript in languages other than English.
Letters of Recommendation
You should provide us with three letters from individuals who are familiar with your research experience or your academic performance (for example your undergraduate advisor or mentor, one of your College professors, etc.)
GRE Scores
Satisfactory scores on the general aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination are required. Subject GRE tests are recommended but not mandatory.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Foreign students whose native tongue is not English should take the TOEFL. A score of at least 550 (or 213 for the computer-based test) is required for admission. Generally, a minimum score of 600 (250, computer-based test) is required for any applicant seeking fellowships or assistantships. Information about the TOEFL examination is available from the Educational Testing Service, Box 6144, Princeton, NJ. 08541-6155, U.S.A.
Stipend
All students who are accepted into the Ph.D. degree program will be awarded a Graduate Fellowship. This is a full-time position that currently (2010-2011) pays $23,000 per calendar year, plus full tuition waiver and health benefits.
Advisor
Once a candidate is accepted into the program, s(he) will be assigned to a temporary advisor until a thesis advisor is chosen. Students are expected to do two rotations in two different laboratories during their first year. For further information on what to expect after acceptance to the MMG graduate program see Ph.D. guidelines.
Application Deadline
Application deadline is January 15. Review of applications will start in early December.
Application review process
The Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the faculty. Selected candidates may be invited to the University of Vermont for an interview, usually in March. The decision to admit is based on a combination of factors, including strong academic performance, documented prior research experience, GRE and TOEFL scores, strong and enthusiastic letters of support, and the interview.
