How to Apply
Interested in studying Biology at Penn State? Admission to the Biology Graduate Program is granted jointly by the Graduate School and the Biology Department. To apply, please follow these steps:
- (Optional) You may wish to submit a pre-application form (see link in navigation bar) to the Biology Department before making a formal application.
- (Mandatory) You must complete a formal online application through the Graduate School. In addition to the information required by the Graduate School, you will be asked to provide the names of three persons who are willing to write letters of recommendation (as well as their contact information). You will also be asked to upload three documents:
- A Personal Statement of Purpose describing your professional interests and career goals.
- Your resume or curriculum vitae.
- A list of Biology Department faculty with whom you might be interested in working.
If you have difficulty uploading documents to the Graduate School's web site, or your recommenders/referees would prefer to send their letters directly to the Biology Department, documents/letters may be submitted to the address below.
(Mandatory) Once you have completed your online application, you must send the following items to: PSU Graduate Program in Biology, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
- Two official transcripts from each institution of higher education you have attended as an undergraduate or graduate. International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English. Notarized copies are not sufficient. If it helps, you can use this printable transcript request form to ask relevant institutions to forward your transcripts to Penn State
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores. Applicants are also encouraged to submit scores for the GRE subject test in biology. Institution code: R2660. Department code: 0203.
International applicants also need to include the following:
- (Mandatory) Results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Institution code: 2660. Department code: 35. Scores from the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) can be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL.
International applicants, who have received a baccalaureate or master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following countries, are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.
- (Mandatory) Application for Visa Document and Financial Certification You should complete the Application for Visa Document, as well as sign
and date the Financial Certification page (Signature of Student). In
addition, please complete the address boxes at the bottom of the
Financial Certification page. Please note that you should list the
address of your family (rather than a school address) for Residence in
Home Country. If you are offered admission, a university representative with complete the section, SOURCES OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FIRST YEAR OF STUDY. You do not need to provide financial information.
- (Optional) Test of Spoken English (TSE).
Information regarding application fees is available through the Graduate School. You may apply at any time of year, but applications received by January 31 will allow us to consider you for the full range of financial support packages available for students starting in the fall semester. Applicants with strong academic records are encouraged to apply by December 31 to be considered in the first rounds of competition for enhanced financial support (University Graduate Fellowships and Braddock Supplements).
Please note that you can only apply to one graduate program at Penn State. For more information contact the Biology Department's graduate program secretary.
