Admission

The big picture that you must keep in mind when applying to the Maryland Biophysics Program is the following. In addition to filling out the application form and paying the application fee, you must present a clear and consistent case that you have the background, desire, and ability to complete a Biophysics graduate degree. You make this case with the following:

  1. official transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work completed or in progress;

  2. at least three letters of recommendation submitted by professors or others who can assess the quality of your academic performance and scholastic potential;

  3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores --- a subject exam is not required but is strongly recommended, especially if you have already taken graduate level material;

  4. two 300-500 word statements --- one about your goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study and one about any life experiences that you feel have prepared you to purse a graduate degree;

  5. TOEFL and TSE scores if English is a foreign language for you --- the TSE is not required but is strongly recommended.

Information where to send the above listed materials can be found at: http://www.vprgs.umd.edu/gems/admission.htm. Materials to be sent to the Maryland Biophysics Program should be addressed to:

University of Maryland College Park 
Enrollment Services Operations 
Application for Graduate Admission 
Rm 0130 Mitchell Building 
College Park, MD 20742

As the above links explain, these components of your application file each present a different aspect of your case. They are therefore considered together, not separately. For example, we expect that applicants who have taken many graduate courses will perform better on the GRE exam than those who have not. Similarly, if you had a semester in which you performed below your usual standards then we expect that the reasons for that will be addressed in your statement on life experiences and maybe also in a letter of recommendation by someone familiar with what happened.

The graduate school will not forward your file for consideration until the application fee is received and the file is complete. Applications from domestic students are forwarded directly to the Maryland Biophysics Program. However, applications from foreign students are first forwarded to the International Educational Service (IES) for approval before being forwarded to the Maryland Biophysics Program.

Only after your application has reached the Maryland Biophysics Program office will it be evaluated by members of the Maryland Biophysics Admission Committee.