PhD Program

Both domestic and international applicants should submit their completed applications, including all transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, by December 1, 2024for summer admission and fellowship consideration. The PhD program has an early-start beginning in July to align with the medical school academic calendar. We do not admit students during the fall term.

MS Program

Applicants should submit their completed applications, including all transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, by the deadline respective to the term applicant intends to matriculate. There is no priority deadline.

• Domestic - US Citizen and US Permanent Resident
  • Fall - March 1, 2025
  • *Winter and Spring - only available for current UCR MD students; inquiry with an admissions coordinator for more details
• International (Non-immigrant/Visa students)
  • Fall - March 1, 2025
  • Winter and Spring - not available term

Returning and Continuing Students

If you have ever registered and completed one full quarter of attendance at UCR (whether you completed a graduate program or not) the following deadlines will apply to you. If you are not certain if you meeting the requirements of a returning or continuing student, please visit our Returning & Continuing Student page.

• Ph.D. program (Summer term) - December 1, 2024
• M.S. program (Fall term) - March 1, 2025

Questions can be sent via email to the BMSC graduate program coordinator.

Go to the Graduate Admissions Online Application

Learn more about applying to UCR graduate programs at the Graduate Division website

Undergraduate Preparation for Admissions

Applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree in one of the physical or biological sciences and must receive a minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or B-equivalent (if GPA is not on a 4.0 scale). To be a competitive candidate, a higher GPA is recommended. If you are in a masters-level program, the minimum GPA is also a 3.0. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is currently waived. As a general guideline, combined GRE quantitative and verbal scores of 300 or better are considered necessary for admission.

Courses required for admission include one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and calculus and at least two years of biological sciences. Other preferred courses include biochemistry, physical chemistry and computer sciences. Preferred upper division courses in biology include vertebrate or human anatomy and physiology, embryology, genetics, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and neurosciences.

Application Requirements

The following items are needed to complete the graduate application. All supporting materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, exam scores, etc. must be submitted by the application deadline.

• Submit the UCR Electronic Graduate Application
• Statement of Purpose (goals, qualifications, and research experience)
• Personal History Statement (how personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (at least two from faculty)
• Transcripts from all college-level institution attended. Confirmation of degree awarded or conferral is required on the transcript for completed degrees. If you have attended an institution outside of the US, visit International Academic Records for document requirements.  
• Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• GRE scores not older than 5 years - not required for the 2025-2026 application cycle
• English Language Proficiency Examination ( for international applicants) - official TOFEL or IELTS scores not older than 2 years
• Supplemental Fellowships Form (optional for domestic PhD applicants only)

Upcoming Events

Learn more about the graduate program by attending a recruitment event.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to your application for the review process. Official transcripts will be required if you are offered admissions to the program.

International applicants must upload a copy of official transcripts and certificates of degree/diploma in their original language, with English translations prepared by the issuing institution. WES or notarized documents are not accepted. 

Unable to upload documents?

Send electronic copy to BioMedAdmissions@medsch.ucr.edu.

Before sending a hardcopy transcripts via the US postal service, contact the admissions coordinator, Hermila Torres, BioMedAdmissions@medsch.ucr.edu.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE test is no longer required as an admissions requirement.

English Language Requirement

All international applicants whose first language is not English and who have not earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree at an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction must submit exam scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Duolingo English test are not acceptable. The English language requirement can be waived if the previous two years of a student's studies were conducted at an English speaking institution and/or in the United States.

• TOEFL UCR code: 4839 - iBT code: 45
• This exam must be taken within two years before the desired date of admission.
• The minimum TOEFL score required is 550, for the computer base exam is 213.
• The minimum score for the TOEFL iBT is 80.
• The average TOEFL score of new BMSC graduate students is 96.

For more information, visit the Educational Testing Service website. Please allow a minimum of 3-4 weeks for a test score to be reported to our campus.