Applicants can start the application process by visiting the Graduate College. 

Our CMB Program application portal opens August 1, and the deadline is December 1 of each year.  All materials need to be received by this deadline, including the letters of recommendations, transcripts from all universities/colleges attended, and the application fee. The Admissions Committee begins reviewing completed applications right after the deadline. 

It is not required or expected for applicants to reach out to faculty prior to application. It is however highly encouraged for applicants to review the research conducted within the CMB program to assure there is an alignment with the applicant and faculty research. In addition, admitted students are required to engage in at least three rotations in the first year to find a mentor and the right research environment to complete the dissertation work.

A typical strong application will be able to provide clear evidence and description of one or more research experiences in which the applicant demonstrated intellectual engagement in a research project, as well as any evidence that the applicant conducted their research in an independent manner. The Committee looks for evidence of initiative and self-motivation. While initiative can pertain to how you conducted a research project, it can also be related to how you set yourself up for success (found a mentor, found resources, etc.). The Committee will assess whether an applicant’s preparation aligns well with the CMB program. Strong applicants will possess a solid grounding in biology and chemistry and demonstrate excellence in continuous academic engagement. Finally, a strong applicant will be able to tie their stated research interests or goals to those of specific CMB faculty.

There is no minimum grade point average to apply to the CMB program.

Your personal statement is an important part of your application as it’s the most direct way for you to present detailed evidence of prior engagement in research, passion for research, independent thinking, and self-motivation. Typically, this will be done by describing in detail prior research project(s) that you led or that you participated in (i.e., how did you get interested in the project? What specifically was your role? Describe the research problem and/or the question that your project was addressing, what did you find?, etc.). A strong personal statement will make it clear that the pursuit of a CMB PhD is the natural next step in your research career. It will also make clear why you chose the UVM CMB program.

No. Official documents are only required if an offer of admission is made, and the applicant plans to enroll at UVM. Matriculation will not be allowed if official materials are not received by the Graduate College. 

Yes. Learn more about the Graduate College application fee waiver.

Yes. Learn about applying as an International Applicant.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of English proficiency. Applicants must submit official scores of either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of the English proficiency will not be eligible for direct entry admission.

TOEFL: TOEFL results will not be superscored. Institution Code for TOEFL test scores for UVM is 3920. For more information about taking the TOEFL exam remotely, see TOEFL iBT® Test Takers.

IELTS: Official electronic IELTS scores should be sent to the following address:

Account Name: University of Vermont Graduate College
Address: 85 South Prospect Street Waterman Room 330
City: Burlington
State: VT
Zip code: 05451

Please note that applicants must enter the address exactly as it appears when making their request to the testing center.

Applicants can also report their official scores by emailing their Test Report Form Number (TRFN) to the Graduate College at graduate.admissions@uvm.edu.

For further information about English proficiency exams, please see the following: websites

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• Duolingo

Yes. The English Language Proficiency requirement will be waived for applicants who have received, or are expected to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in the United States or an institution in a country where English is an official language. For institutions outside the United States, the transcript, diploma certificate (or equivalent), or an official letter from the institution must confirm that English is the language of instruction.

Yes. Please log back into the system prior to the December 1 deadline and make the changes. If you request a change after the December 1 deadline, please connect with graduate.admissions@uvm.edu. 

For matriculation in Fall 2025, our CMB program received 278 applications. 

Our program asks current faculty for their ability to fully train a new student (this includes space and time in the lab, and funding for both research and stipend). Based on this response, the Admissions Committee hosts interviews and recommends offers to the Graduate College. For Fall 2026, the Admissions Committee would like to admit between 5-10 new students. 

Please contact graduate.admissions@uvm.edu if you have any questions about the Application. 

Please contact cmb@uvm.edu with any questions about the CMB Program. 

Your reference letters are critically important to a strong application. Referees who have mentored/observed you in a research setting tend to have the most impact. The strongest of these referees will provide detailed information about how long they have known you and in what context do they know you (e.g., mentor, PI, colleague). They will also be able to provide detailed information on your contributions to a research project, your technical abilities, your ability to work with others, and a critical evaluation of your research potential in the context of your peer group. Supervisors and/or senior colleagues who possess intimate knowledge of your critical thinking/problem-solving skills, or who can attest to your self-motivation, passion for science, and resilience, are appropriate reference letter writers.