To be considered for admission to the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Penn State - University Park, students must have the following:

An appropriate academic background, including a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years (junior/senior) of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university.
A degree in a biological, physical, or behavioral science, and courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Neuroscience courses are desirable but not essential.
Research experience is an advantage.
Students also must complete the forms and send in the materials outlined in the instructions on how to apply.

Admission is based on evaluation of:

Undergraduate transcript(s)
Description of academic preparation for a career in the neurosciences
Comprehensive description of research experiences and technical skills
Letters of recommendation
With some exceptions (noted below), international applicants need to take the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and submit the results of the test with application for admission. The Neuroscience Program requires a score of at least 600 on the paper test, a score of 250 on the Computer-based test, or a total score of 100 in the Internet based test with a reading component score of at least 23. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 7.0.