Graduate Program

We want to recruit academically motivated students. Admission to our program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. GRE scores are no longer required by our program.

Prospective students are encouraged to read Comparative Biosciences faculty biosketches and websites (if available). Students are encouraged to contact faculty whose research they are interested in to determine if the faculty is recruiting graduate students in the coming year. See list of department faculty.

Deadlines

Generally, our deadlines are December 15 for admission for the following Fall semester, and June 1 for admission for the following Spring semester. However, we do accept applications after these deadlines. Please reach out to the CB Graduate Program for more information.

Application Process

1. Review the program descriptions

• • https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply

2. Apply to the University of Illinois Graduate Program: 

• • https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply
    1. At the bottom of the page hit APPLY NOW and follow the directions
  • Pick VMS – Comparative Biosciences, PhD
  • It is also highly recommended that applicants include faculty member(s) of interest in the Proposed Program of Study section of the online application.

3. Submit a CV or resume as part of the application.

4. Submit a research statement as part of the application.

• • Research statements should include a description of previous research experience and what you gained as part of that experience.
  • Research statements should also include your research goals for graduate study and the names of faculty that you are interested in working with.
  • Research statements should also include information about why you are interested in getting a degree from Comparative Biosciences and your future professional career goals.
  • Research statements should be no more than 2-3 pages in length (double spaced)

5. Provide the names and emails of 3 references

• • Letters of reference will be submitted electronically in the application system.
  • Select letter writers that are familiar with your academic qualifications and/or your research experience(s).
  • Each reference letter writer will receive an email asking them to submit their letters in our online system. A secure link will be provided to each reference writer.

6. Submit transcript(s) online as part of the application.

• • Upload unofficial transcripts for each degree-granting institution attended.
  • If you have been awarded a degree, then the transcript we receive should list the degree conferred and conferral date.
  • For institutions that do not print degree conferral information on transcripts, a separate certificate of degree or diploma should also be uploaded. This may be true for international institutions.
  • If you attended an international institution and the academic credentials are not written in English, you must include a translation of all documents.

7. GRE policy effective for entering in 2022 season.

• • Comparative Biosciences does not require GRE scores as part of the application for graduate school. You may submit them as part of the package if you like.

8. Submit TOEFL scores if required

• • Domestic and international applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  • Comparative Biosciences requires a score of at least 600 on the paper-based test, or 250 on the computer-based test, or 100 on the internet-based test.
  • Those applicants who gain admission on the basis of their academic credentials, but score below 600 on the TOEFL, will be admitted on limited status and required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) upon their arrival.
  • Students are exempt from the TOEFL requirement if they have completed at least two academic years of full-time study at an institution where the language of instruction is English during the five-year period prior to the proposed date of enrollment.
  • If students are admitted as a Teaching Assistants, they will be required to take additional language tests.
  • TOEFL scores should be sent electronically from ETS to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign using institution code 1836 (no department code required).

Additional Information for International Students

1. Proof of Funding and Declaration Finances Form
   • International applicants do not need to provide financial details as part of the application process, as Comparative Biosciences provides both a stipend and a tuition waiver. The stipend and tuition waiver exempt applicants from needing to provide financial information.
   • Should international applicants have dependents they will bring with them, the Graduate College may ask for some financial information. However, this will occur at the time of admission, and applicants should wait until it is requested.
   • If international applicants have extramural funding, the Graduate College will ask for financial information. However, this will occur at the time of admission, and applicants should wait until it is requested.
2. Passport
   • International applicants will need to submit a valid passport as part of the application before admission can occur; however, it does not need to be provided at the time of application submission.
   • For additional information on passport requirements, please visit the Graduate College FAQ for International Applicants.

Admission Fees

• Domestic applicants are required to submit a $70.00 application fee.
• International applicants are required to submit a $90.00 application fee.

Director of Graduate Studies: Megan Mahoney

Assistant Director of Graduate Studies: Juanmahel Davila

Department website: https://vetmed.illinois.edu/comparative-biosciences/
email: cbgradprogram@vetmed.illinois.edu

Graduate Office: 3519 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802

Phone: (217) 333-2506