Undergraduate record and GPA– Students who took a rigorous undergraduate schedule in a science field are the most qualified applicants. A minimum of 3.0 GPA is required. For more information please read the FAQ about GPA. (insert link on GPA)
Demonstrated interest in the field– We ask for a resume or CV detailing prior employment, internships or volunteering in the animal field help to show a commitment to this career path. Be thorough and complete when describing past experience.
Graduate record exam– While no minimum scores are required, the GRE can help distinguish a student likely to succeed in a graduate program. * GRE is not required for incoming SDP students.
Statement of purpose– A well-written and creative statement of purpose can help us to identify students who are passionate and committed as well as highlighting unique skills
Three letters of recommendation– Strong letters of recommendation that help us get to know you as a student, future leader and person will help us evaluate your likelihood to succeed in our program and the field of management. A strong letter will comment on:
Your character and professionalism
Your ability to succeed in rigorous coursework
Your ability to think critically
Your attitude and demeanor
Admission to our graduate program requires a minimum undergraduate GPA above a 3.0, but our competitive applicants typically have higher grades. In addition, most of our competitive applicants have participated in undergraduate research or have had work experience in a research environment. Finally, our competitive applicants have demonstrated a passion and curiosity about biology and a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals. GRE scores are NOT required for admission to our graduate programs. For international students, we adhere to the Graduate School's requirements for unconditional admission: TOEFL scores above 80 (internet) or 550 (paper), or IELTS scores above 6.5. Conditional admission for students with lower TOEFL/IELTS scores is a possibility for strong international applicants.