Graduate Admissions
Selection Process
We have a centralized, departmental selection process for admitting graduate students into our program first, then the students can decide which laboratory they would like to rotate and join. You do not need to contact faculty members prior to applying to our programs and GRE is not required for the application process.
All accepted PhD students (domestic or international) will automatically be awarded with an assistantship (TA or RA), which includes tuition and select fee waiver, as well as a stipend.
For international applicants, you must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways. Learn more, here.
Application Deadlines
The deadlines for application to our graduate programs are:
- PhD deadline for 2025-2026 (Fall enrollment): December 1, 2024
All application materials including recommendations and test scores must be submitted by December 1. - MS deadline for 2025-2026 (Fall enrollment): December 1, 2024
- BA/MS deadline for 2025-2026 (Fall enrollment): December 1, 2024
- MA SMP deadlines: December 31 (Spring enrollment); July 31 (Fall enrollment)
Applications are considered on a rolling basis, with firm deadlines on December 31 and July 31 for the spring and fall cycles respectively. Applications submitted early may have a greater chance of acceptance, but applicants should apply when they are at their most competitive state.
Applicants submit the following:
- Personal Statement (for instructions, see below under your program)
- Transcripts from every college attended.
- Email addresses and contact information of three people who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation.
- A non-refundable application fee of $75..
International applicants also provide the following:
- TOEFL scores (Institution code 2925, Department code 35).
- A copy of passport biographical page.
- Graduate Student International Financial form.
ADMISSION CONTACTS
For admission to our MS and PhD Programs, contact:
Dr. Shermali Gunawardena, Director of Admissions for PhD and MS Program
For admission to our our MA SMP Program, contact:
Dr. David Hoekstra, Director of MA Program
Related Links
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
All application materials, including recommendations and test scores, must be received by the deadlines listed at the top of this page.
The personal statement (750-1000 words) should discuss why you are interested in earning a PhD in Biology, what personal experiences have shaped this interest, and what research topics you would like to pursue for your PhD research project. Please discuss faculty members with whom you would like to study and how their research intersects with your interests.
The personal statement (750-1000 words) should discuss why you are interested in earning an MS degree in Biology, what personal experiences have shaped this interest, and what research topics you would like to pursue for your MS research project. Please discuss faculty members with whom you would like to study and how their research intersects with your interests.
To be eligible for the BA/MS program, applicants must be current UB juniors majoring in Biological Sciences with a GPA ≥ 3.2. In addition, applicants should be on track to complete the five core biology courses (BIO 200, 201, 203, 205, 319) by the second semester of their junior year.
GRE scores are optional for the BA/MS program.
The personal statement (750-1000 words) should discuss why you are interested in earning this degree, what personal experiences have shaped this interest, and what research topics you would like to pursue for your MS research project. Please discuss faculty members with whom you would like to study and how their research intersects with your interests.
Standardized Test Scores, such as the MCAT, DAT, and GRE, are not required to apply to the MA program. We encourage students that have a weak transcript to submit test scores to demonstrate academic ability. (A weak undergraduate transcipt is GPA<3.0. Please contact Dr. Hoekstra for guidance on whether or not to submit test scores
A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required, with a minimum of two coming from faculty members. Students are encouraged to obtain letters from science faculty if possible. Additional letters may be submitted as character references from employers, clinicians that you’ve shadowed under, volunteer coordinators, or any other non-family or friend that can inform the committee about your qualifications.
The Personal Statement (750-1,000 words) should discuss your ultimate career goals, your experiences that shaped this interest, and how the MA program will help you achieve these goals. If you feel as though your transcript is not a true reflection of your academic abilities, you should explain to the committee what hindered your success during your undergraduate studies, and explain why you think these events will no longer weigh you down. You should also discuss topics you would like to pursue as an MA project and why these topics are of interest to you.
Use the green target, above, to access the UB Graduate Enrollment Services online application system. First time users begin the application by creating an account. Once the account is created, you will be prompted to select the department application, and then, select your academic term year and program. Please read the directions on the UB College of Arts and Sciences application carefully.