How to Apply

Tuition and Fee schedules are set by the university and are based on residency status. See the cost of UMB Graduate Education Programs for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

What documentation do I need to include with my application?

Transcripts

Unofficial copies of your transcripts may be provided for the application review process and should be uploaded as supplemental items to the online application. You must submit transcripts from each college/university attended, including coursework in progress at time of application.

If you are offered admission, you must then provide official transcripts from each college/university from which a degree was earned.  The transcript must be provided to the Graduate School directly from the prior, degree-granting institution in a sealed envelope in order for that document to be considered official.  Alternatively, it may be provided to the Graduate School electronically by way of a secure, encrypted platform.  Each transcript should bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution. 

Transcripts (US only) may be obtained from/provided by one of the following secure, encrypted transcript services:

Parchment 
National Student Clearinghouse

Have your transcripts sent to:
ATTN: Admissions
University of Maryland, Baltimore
The Graduate School
620 W. Lexington St., 5th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Official, electronic transcripts may be sent directly from your degree-granting institution to gradapply@umaryland.edu. 

International Applicants - Transcripts and Mark Sheets
International applicants must provide one (1) official transcripts in English and one (1) official native language transcripts or mark sheets from each college or university attended. Each set of documents must list subjects studied, grades or marks received, and rank in class or division.

The Graduate Programs in Life Sciences (GPILS) requires international applicants to provide a transcript evaluation from a NACES member evaluation agency in addition to official, translated transcripts or mark sheets.

GRE Test Scores - NOT Required
GRE test scores are not requred to apply to the CMBS MS program

TOEFL Test Scores
Use University code 5848 and Department code 45 when submitting your TOEFL scores.

Resume or CV
Applicants must provide a Resume or CV (no more than 2 pages), which is to be uploaded as part of the online application.

Application for In-State Status Classification (Maryland residents only)
If you wish to be considered for “in-state” residency status for admission and tuition purposes you must complete an Application for In-State Classification and submit it to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu. 

Funding is not provided for students admitted into the MS program. However, you may qualify for federal, state, and/or institutional aid at UMB. Please see the Student Financial Aid website for eligibility and possible sources of funding.

Please contact Educational Support and Disabilities Services if you require accomodation for any special needs.

What does the CMBS Program want to read about in my personal statement?

Should be uploaded or included with the online application. The statement should be between 300-500 words, and no more than 2 pages double-spaced maximum. When writing your personal statment, consider discussing some or all of the following:

• Why are you passionate about science?
• What are your long-term goals and how will this program help you toward attaining those goals?
• How have you prepared for and what is your plan to reach your long-term goals?
• What research or whose research are you interested in and why? 
• If applicable, share your past research experiences or encounters with research. Discuss the aspects that impacted you the most.

What and whom should I consider for my letters of recommendation?

You must provide three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or others who can attest to the quality of your academic performance and scholastic potential. The application will ask you to submit an email address for each of your recommenders. Then they will receive an email notification request to submit their letter of recommendation directly into your application package.

These letters are important, be sure that you have entered their email address correctly so it does not bounce.

What do I need to do if I am in international applicant?

Please note that the deadline for all completed international applications is March 15, 2023. This deadline is final and applicatins received after this date will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. 

Transcripts and Mark Sheets
International applicants must provide one (1) official transcripts in English and one (1) official native language transcripts or mark sheets from each college or university attended. Each set of documents must list subjects studied, grades or marks received, and rank in class or division.

The Graduate Programs in Life Sciences (GPILS) requires international applicants to provide a transcript evaluation from a NACES member evaluation agency in addition to official, translated transcripts or mark sheets. We recommend using one of the following companies:

• SpanTran 
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) 
• World Education Services (WES).

Language Requirements

• TOEFL Test Scores
  Use University code 5848 when submitting your TOEFL scores.
  • TOEFL Overall Score = 550
  • TOEFL iBT Score = 100
• IELTS Test Scores
  • IELTS Preferred Score = Band 8

IELTS test-takers must have their scores sent via postal mail to the Graduate School: 
ATTN: Admissions 
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Graduate School
620 West Lexington Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1508

IELTS test-takers may also send their TRF number to the Graduate School at gradapply@umaryland.edu so that the Graduate School may verify the applicant’s scores electronically.  

Applicants are encouraged to verify the identification of the correct campus - the University of Maryland, Baltimore - (UMB) upon selection of score routing. 

• Duolingo Scores:
  • Duolingo Preferred Score = 130

We accept official Duolingo scores from the Duolingo English Test which can be taken online and on-demand.

Application Deadlines
All application materials and documentation are final and must be met. If the deadline is not met, the application will not be reviewed for the 2023 fall start.  

Please contact the Office of International Services for further assistance if you are an international student.

I still have questions...

FAQs for Fall 2024 Application

Q: What is the application fee?
A: The application fee is $75 (U.S.) paid to the Graduate School. You may apply to one GPILS program per $75 application fee.

Q: I am experiencing problems with the online application. Who should I contact?
A: You may contact the Graduate School directly via email at gradinfo@umaryland.edu or via phone at 410-706-7131.

Q: How many students do you accept each year?
A: The MS program does not offer a stipend and therefore does not limit the number of students accepted. Offers are based on the number of qualified applications received.

Q: Do you offer financial aid?
A: Funding is not provided for students admitted into the MS program. Financial Aid may be available through the Student Financial Aid office. Please visit their website http://www.umaryland.edu/fin/. After the first semester, some of MS students seek employment opportunities in faculty laboratories on campus, which in some cases may provide tuition assistance.

Q: Where can I find housing information?
A: Go to the Residence Life website HERE

Q: What accommodation services do you offer students with disabilities?
A: Please contact our Office of Educational Support and Disability Services http://umaryland.edu/dissabilityservice

Q: What is the institution code for reporting TOEFL scores?
A: University code 5848; department code 45

Q: Is there financial aid available for international students?
A: Funding is not provided for students admitted into the MS program and a student must be a citizen or eligible noncitizen to receive federal, state and/or institutional aid at UMB. Please visit the Student Financial Aid website: http://www.umaryland.edu/fin/prospective-students/international-students/ for possible sources of assistance.

Q: If I am an international student with a BS degree from a U.S. university do I need to take the TOEFL?
A: The TOEFL requirement is waived for applicants who have received a BA/BS degree from an American accredited university/college.

Q: What is the average TOEFL score for students accepted into the Cellular and Molecular Biomedical MS program?
A: The average TOEFL score for the 2021 accepted students was 106.

Q: Do you accept the IELTS exam in place of the TOEFL exam for International applicants?
A: Yes, but we will only accept an IELTS score of 7 or higher.

Get started here!

Before starting your application, you will need to create an account with the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School by going to the following page https://umaryland.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.

• Click the Create Account link located under Sign In. Consider bookmarking this page for easier access in the future. 
• Under My Account click Create a New Application and select Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science as the program.
• It is recommended to use a personal email (i.e. Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, Outlook etc.) instead of a university email as those emails tend to have a short life-span. We will contact you via email, so make sure it is correct and up-to-date.
• If you have any questions about the application and system, please contact the Graduate School at gradinfo@umaryland.edu or at 410-706-7131

You may stop and save your work to continue at a later time while completing the online application.  Be sure to keep your password in a secure place so that you can return to check on your application status later.

Have your credit or debit card ready so that you can pay the application fee. Be sure to keep the pop-up window open to the pay fee until transaction complete.  When the fee has been submitted, you may continue with the application form and submit that separately.