Application Evaluation Questions

The Admissions Committee evaluates applications. The Admissions Committee consists of current faculty members appointed in Biological Sciences and current Biological Sciences Ph.D. students.

Application evaluation may start immediately following submission of an application.

Applications may be evaluated immediately following submission. Applications will be fully evaulated by the end of April.

View Holistic Evaluation Factors.

There is not one factor that is most important as application evaluation is holistic.

Yes, application evaluation is holistic.

The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) requires a Bachelor's (or other equivalent four year undergraduate degree) GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) for all UCSD graduate program applicants. Some exceptional applicants with lower GPAs may be recommended for admission, as evaluation is holistic, meaning GPA is one of many factors. Additionally, a GPA of 3.0 or higher does not guarantee admission. Competitive applicants to the program average a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.

No, the GRE is not required nor considered for the program. The GRE stopped being required for the program starting in Fall 2019.

No, the GRE will not be considered even if you submit scores. The GRE stopped being considered for the program starting in Fall 2020.

Yes, you can write about how COVID-19 has affected your application in a personal statement section on the application. This is optional and not required.

• 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• A copy of your most recent academic transcript
  • Transcript does not need to be official for application purposes
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• CV/Resume