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

Our CMB Program application 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 Recruitment & 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 strong application includes good academic preparedness in scientific courses, research experience, and informative letters of recommendations that comment to the character and abilities of the applicant. 

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

The personal statement should be a reflection of the applicants experiences and what has led them to apply to a graduate degree. The statement should also include future directions once earning the doctoral degree. 

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 Recruitment and Admissions Committee hosts interviews and recommends offers to the Graduate College. For fall 2025 matriculation, the Recruitment and Admissions Committee would like to matriculate 14 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.