Admission is quite competitive and applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are rarely admitted Applicants with a GPA between 2.0 and 3.0 may be considered if there is other evidence of exceptional promise included with the application Possible sources of evidence include relevant professional experience as evidenced by publications or letters of recommendation and or high GRE test scores 90th percentile or above The percentage and number of admitted applicants varies over time depending on faculty commitments and funding available However over the last several years between 10-30 percent of applicants are admitted to the graduate program Applicants should have a bachelors degree in a biological or physical science natural resources science math engineering or other appropriate discipline Applications include the following An unofficial copy of your transcripts Official copies are required after admission Instructions for submitting the official transcript will be provided in the admission letter At the beginning of your personal statement please list the names of one or more potential advisors in boldface type Two reference letters Additional letters will be considered although only two are required Consider submitting any additional materials that provide direct evidence of relevant experience or writing ability such as published papers research posters or reports Please upload any such documents as supplemental materials GREs are not required in order to apply to the BES program. TOEFL IBT - An overall score of 80 or above 82 for teaching assistantship consideration AND Minimum scores in the following areas - Reading 19 Writing 18 Listening 17 Speaking 18 the suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 20. If you are below the minimum in one area by two points or in two areas by one point but have an overall score of 80 or above the Dean will make a determination if you can be considered. IELTS - International English Language Testing System IELTS All scores must be sent directly to URI Required minimum score of 6.5 AND minimum scores in the following areas - Reading 6.5 Writing 6.5 Listening 6.5 Speaking 6.5. The suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 7. The minimum score on the Paper-based TOEFL is 550. Pearson Test of English - Required minimum scores are Reading 53 Writing 59 Listening 47 and Speaking 47 - 62 for international teaching assistants.