How to Apply
Our current students and applicants represent a wide a range of undergraduate institutions & science majors. While most of our successful applicants hold a GPA of 3.0 or above, we review each application in its entirety in determining a candidate's eligibility.
This means that strong research experience combined with the ability to demonstrate a solid understanding of the research is also taken into account when considering an application. Please review these instructions and application checklist requirements prior to completion of the online application.
Dates
Students begin the Molecular Medicine PhD Program on September 1. Completed applications for admission must be received by the annual deadline of December 1.
Application Requirements
Please review these instructions and application checklist requirements prior to completion of the online application.
- CV/Resume
- Letter of recommendation from three professional contacts
- Essay/Goals Statement (please see below)
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher education
- Application fee
NOTE: Please be sure to complete and submit your online application form before attempting to upload documents and before providing recommendations.
Additional Requirements for International Students:
- TOEFL (within 2 years)
- Official transcripts must be submitted one in native language and one in English language. All transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must also be accompanied by a NACES credential evaluation. Please account for the additional time that this request may take. We recommend using one of the following evaluation agencies:
-SpanTran
-World Education Services (WES)
-Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Credential Evaluations may be sent to:
ATTN: Admissions
University of Maryland, Baltimore
The Graduate School
620 W. Lexington St., 5th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Note: Packages/documents sent to us via a non-USPS carrier such as UPS, FedEx or DHL must be addressed to:
Attention: Graduate School Admissions
601 West Lombard St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
READY TO APPLY: Complete Online Application to the Graduate School
CV/Resume
Your CV or resume may be uploaded as part of the online application. The CV should be 3 pages or less.
Letters of Recommendation
Please provide three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or others who can attest to the quality of your academic performance, scholastic potential and other non-cognitive factors. Your recommendations are managed by the online application; you will need the email addresses of your recommenders for this process.
Essay
Your essay may be scanned and uploaded as a supplemental item to the online application. The statement should address your background, goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study. The essay/goals statement, which will be uploaded as a Word document or scanned PDF through our online application system, is usually between 1-2 pages in length.
Suggested topics to address:
- 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.
- If applicable, please provide an explanation for any poor grades, withdrawals, or breaks in your education.
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.
Application Fee (non-refundable)
The application requires a fee of $75.00 payable in U.S. funds when the application is submitted.
Interview
If your application is selected by the admissions committee, you will be contacted to attend an interview/recruitment day. Recruitment days are held in late January and February.
Additional Information for International Applicants
Applicants from outside the US are required to demonstrate English proficiency. The Graduate School accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Minimum required scores are 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL, and 7.0 on the IELTS. Scores must be sent directly from either TOEFL (please use ETS institution code #5848) or the IELTS agency to the Graduate School.
After You Apply
You can check the status of your application using your email address and the password that you created when you submitted your online application. You may not make changes once it has been submitted; however, please send any changes or corrections to us at gradapply@umaryland.edu
We encourage you to follow-up with your prior institutions regarding the issuing of transcripts, as well as with your recommenders and testing agencies (where appropriate), to ensure completion of your application file.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the application process, please email molecularmedicine@som.umaryland.edu
Students interested in pursuing a dual degree should note the Graduate Program in Life Sciences is associated with two nationally renowned dual-degree programs located right on our campus!
Note: Students interested in pursuing a dual degree will need to apply directly to either one of these programs.
Be sure to take a look at our FAQ.