Admission Requirements
Application Process:
Our application deadline for Fall Admissions is December 1.
FSU offers a limited number of prestigious University Fellowships. Students wishing to be considered for these fellowships must complete additional application materials for those mechanisms by January 15. Please note that these are not required for admission to the program. Please click on "Request More Info" on the left of your screen to discuss your competitiveness or these University Fellowships with a representative of our program.
The College of Medicine
Biomedical Sciences Application Materials:
The admissions requirements for the program will be as follows and meet the minimum requirements established by the State of Florida, list above.
The application process consists of the University application with supporting materials. You will be required to submit the following to Office of Admission using their electronic application:
- University application
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose (Helpful Suggestions for Writing a Statement of Purpose) to include:
- Research Statement
- Research Experience
- Teaching Experience
- Faculty of Interest
- Any other information not found on the Curriculum Vitae
- GRE Scores (or approved waiver)
- Transcripts from all previous institutions
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Unofficial Transcripts and Score Report
Minimum University Admission Requirements:
In order to meet minimum University admission requirements, an applicant must have:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution.
- A minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree; or
- A graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution; and
- Test scores from a nationally standardized graduate admission test that are acceptable for the academic program to which the applicant is applying, or successful application for a GRE Waiver.
- In addition to the above, all students must be in good academic standing at the last institution in order to be considered for graduate study.
Transcripts:
Applicants must submit an official transcript from each college and/or university attended to the Office of Admissions. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions. Official transcripts for these credits must also be submitted.
Transcripts are considered official when they bear an official seal and signature and are sent from the issuing college or university directly to Florida State. FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file will be obtained by the Office of Admissions.
Original documents or signed, officially certified photocopies of original documents may be submitted by the student only when institutions outside the United States will not send academic records to other institutions. The verifying signature should be that of an officer of the institution attended. All academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. Certified documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
The address for submitting transcripts is:
Florida State University
Office of Admissions
282 Champions Way
P.O. Box 3062400
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2400
USA
Test Requirements:
Official test results are required from a nationally standardized graduate admission test, such as the Graduate Record Examination revised General Test (GRE) or an equivalent test (e.g. MCAT). These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Examinee copies are not considered official.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS), Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), and the Psychological Corporation do not retain scores longer than five years. If your test scores are older than five years, you must retake the test to have official scores sent directly to FSU from the testing agency.
GRE Waiver:
Applicants to the Biomedical Sciences PhD program who meet the following academic AND research background criteria will have the option to request a waiver of the FSU requirement to provide GRE scores. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for this waiver:
Academic Credentials:
- Upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from an accredited national or international college or university, OR
- Graduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from an accredited national or international college or university.
Research Experience:
- Undergraduate research-based thesis in a relevant field, OR
- Post-graduate research experience in a relevant field. This would include both graduate school and formal post-baccalaureate programs, OR
- Extensive (at least 1 year) relevant research experience. This includes both paid and unpaid work, but must reflect significant engagement, commitment, and an understanding of the research process.
Examples of relevant research fields include (but are not limited to): biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, chemistry, genetics, engineering, medicine, neuroscience, and pharmacology/pharmaceutical sciences.
Extenuating Circumstances:
- Students may also apply for the GRE waiver on the basis of extenuating circumstances.
Prospective students must present supportive evidence that they meet the selected waiver criteria (e.g., authorship on a peer reviewed scientific publication, statement from a former advisor or mentor, etc). All applicants will have the option to report their GRE test scores. Applicants should explain within the waiver request how they meet the criteria. Approval of a GRE Waiver Request does not guarantee admission to the program or university. Prospective students must still submit and complete a Graduate Application and meet all university and department admissions requirements to be considered for admission.
Applicants can access the GRE Waiver Request here.
Information on University Graduate Requirements:
Admission to graduate study is a two-fold evaluation process. The Office of Admissions determines eligibility for admission to the University, and the academic department or college determines admissibility to the degree program.
Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Admissions.