Biophysical, Chemical, and Computational Biology Pathway

Eligibility and Application Requirements

• Applicants are required to have:
  • A bachelor’s degree earned prior to matriculation
  • A focus (major or minor) in one or more of the following fields:
    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • Math
    • Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Other related fields (eg. Biophysics, Bioinformatics…)
  • One year of mathematics beyond basic calculus
  • Unofficial transcripts from any college or university attended.
  • Resume or CV
  • Personal Statement (500-1000 words). This statement is a very important part of your application, used to evaluate your potential alignment with the pathway. In your Personal Statement, please include the following:
    • Personal experience, including academic preparedness, any challenges that may have informed your development, and any special qualifications that may not be reflected elsewhere in your application
    • Motivation for attending graduate school, with particular emphasis on why you are pursuing studies in biomedical sciences and why the BCCB pathway at UMass Chan would be an especially good fit for you. Please also indicate any faculty or research programs at UMass Chan with which you would like to engage
    • Career aspirations, including how graduate school in biomedical sciences will help you reach your goals
    • (optional) Detail any past research experience, including any hypotheses tested or project goals, approaches taken, your role, outcomes, what you learned, and any publications that may have resulted. Research experience is not a requirement, nor is it expected, for admissions
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess past academic performance, research experience, and prospective success in doctoral level work.
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores that meet the minimum score requirements, for applicants whose native language is not English and have not earned a degree in the U.S.
    • TOEFL: 100 or above on the internet-based test, all subsections 17 or higher
    • IELTS: 7 or above overall, all sub scores 6.5 or higher
  • The GRE is not required nor considered, applications are reviewed holistically
  • Application and nonrefundable $80 fee
• International applicants:
  • Please submit an unofficial course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member
  • Original foreign transcripts, diplomas, or other academic documents do not need to be included.
  • Please self-report unofficial TOEFL or IELTS scores if your bachelors (or masters, if applicable) degree is completed outside the U.S.
  • The TOEFL/ IELTS requirement may be waived if the registrar at your university submits a letter to GSBSAdmissions@umassmed.edu verifying the language of instruction is English.

Complete applications contain the following, with December 1, 11:59pm (EST) priority deadline and January 15th, 11:59pm (EST) final deadline: