Application & Admission Information

When to Apply: By March 1

Who Should Apply: Applicants interested in further study in the broad area of biological science, with a focus on the mechanisms of disease. Specifically, applicants should be interested in bridging the gap between basic discovery and its application to the treatment of human diseases. Applicants should come to the program with a solid background in the biological sciences, with a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) being required. Applicants outside of the United States that have not received a degree from a primarily English instructed institute are also required to take the TOEFL exam to be considered for graduate school at UW-Madison.

How to apply:
Below is a checklist (printable PDF of checklist) of required items for applying to the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program: Submit to UW-Madison Graduate School:

1. Application
2. Application Fee
3. Statement of Research Interest (if submitting online- otherwise, send hard copies to CMP program)
4. 3 Letters of Recommendation (if submitting online- otherwise, send hard copies to CMP program)

   Submit to Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program:

5. GRE Scores
6. TOEFL Scores, if applicable
7. Transcripts
8. Summary of Accomplishments/CV

Description of Items required for applying to the CMP program:

1. Application: All applications are now submitted online through the UW-Madison Graduate School website. The applicant will be assigned a PIN number and can create a password if they choose to access their application at a later date. Once the applicant has submitted their completed application, it will be made available to the program(s) that they are applying to. Note: In the intended field of study, please choose Cellular and Molecular Pathology (G149) to apply to the CMP program.
2. Application Fee: The application fee is required by the UW-Madison Graduate School. All applications submitted before the September 1st deadline will have a $45 non-refundable application fee applied. Effective September 1, 2008 the Graduate School application fee will increase to $56. It can be paid by credit card (Mastercard or Visa), Debit/ATM care, personal check or money order, drawn on an US Bank. Once the applicant has submitted their online application, they will be directed to information on how to pay the application fee.
3. Statement of Research Interest/Personal Statement: This statement is an opportunity for the applicant to explain his/her interests in research and future career goals. This is also an opportunity to explain why the applicant has chosen to apply for graduate study in the CMP program. The applicant should use this area to list previous research experiences, trainers in the CMP program whose research interests them, and any extraneous information/discrepancies in your application materials including, but not limited to information regarding low GPA during a specific semester(s), low GRE scores, time off from school, or a career change. Some applicants choose to also include background information about themselves regarding their character, work ethic, etc. Note: The Recruitment Committee reads numerous statements, so strive to “stand out” by making the statement personable.
4. Letters of Recommendation: The applicant should request letters of recommendation from a minimum of three evaluators. These letters should be from people who are familiar with the applicant’s research experience or academic background. This includes, but is not limited to, research advisors and professors. Letters can be submitted either through the mail or electronically. In order to be submitted electronically, the applicant should fill out the contact information for each recommender as part of their online application form and the Graduate School will send an email to the recommenders with information on how to submit their letter. Note: If submitting recommenders’ names online, the applicant should notify recommender beforehand so they will look for the email from the graduate school. Applications are frequently delayed due to incomplete recommendation letters. It is the responsibility of the applicant to remind letter writers to get their letters to the Graduate School in a timely manner.
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: General GRE scores are required as part of the application. The general test consists of a verbal, quantitative and written analytical section. In addition, it is suggested that the student complete one of the advanced subject tests, although this is not mandatory. The applicant should plan to take their general GRE exam early in the fall to ensure receipt of their scores by the program for review. On the exam, the applicant should fill in 1846 for the Institute Code.
6. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) per UW-Madison Graduate School requirements. Again, the applicant should plan to take their exam early in the fall to ensure receipt of their scores. The institution code is 1846. Note: An admitted applicant whose TOEFL (paper-based) test score is below 580; TOEFL computer-based (CBT) test score is below 237; TOEFL internet-based (iBT) test score is below 92; or MELAB test score is below 82 must take an English assessment test upon arrival. The applicant must then register for any recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first semester they are enrolled.
7. Transcripts: Transcripts are required from all colleges or universities attended by the applicant. Official transcripts are required, but unofficial transcripts may be submitted for the application review process. If unofficial transcripts are used in the application process and the applicant is accepted, the applicant must send official transcripts to the Graduate Education Office as soon as possible following acceptance.
8. Summary of Accomplishments/CV: This item serves as a summary of highlights of an applicant’s background. The applicant should list information such as awards received, authored publications, scientific presentations, research experience (including name of PI and description summary), and any other information they feel will contribute to their application.

The Recruitment and Admissions Committee considers all of these criteria as a whole in addition to the availability of departmental resources in recommending acceptance to the Program. Students that meet or surpass departmental minimum application standards are reviewed by the Committee for possible phone or in-person interviews. Applicants that meet our standards but are not recommended initially for admission are placed on a waiting list until the recruitment process is completed; typically in April.

The Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program starts reviewing applications in December and admits students on a rolling basis. For that reason, it is to the benefit of the applicant to have all necessary application components submitted as early as possible, and no later than March 1.

Addresses to send application materials:
Mail to:
Cellular and Molecular Pathology Admissions
c/o Gretchen Harvey
Room 6152 MSC
1300 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
USA

Mail to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
228 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1380
USA