How to Apply

Molecular and Cell Biology PhD and MS Program

Completed applications include the following:

  1. Completed UConn Graduate School application.
  2. Unofficial transcripts of all previous college and/or university work (upon acceptance, you must submit official copies of all transcripts) International Students: Please upload unofficial transcripts with your application. To avoid delay of official admission, please also mail official copies to Graduate School at the time of application.
  3. Three letters of reference (electronic submission of recommendation letters is preferred)
  4. CV is required for all PhD and MS applicants
  5. Personal statement:
    In less than 1000 words, please discuss the following points:
    • Your motivation for undertaking graduate work.
    • A detailed summary of any research experience you have had, including the main question that was driving your project, and how it prepares you for doctoral studies.
    • Any examples of how you have taken initiative on a research project, academic endeavor, or employment responsibility
    • Any activities you have engaged in that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion in science

    Please review English Proficiency for Admission Requirements and make sure you submit all required test scores. Details of this can be found here: https://grad.uconn.edu/admissions/requirements/

In addition to Teaching Assistantships, which every PhD student who is accepted to the program can receive, there are two competitive service-free Graduate School Fellowships students can be nominated for. Students must indicate their interest at the time of application. Information on these awards can be found here.

GRE Scores are no longer required and will not be used in consideration of your application.

At this time our department is not able to offer a graduate application fee waiver (as an option). We encourage you to take a look at the Graduate School fee waiver policy page to see if you qualify: https://grad.uconn.edu/admissions/fee-waiver-policy/

Fall Deadlines for MCB Master's and PhD Program:
  • Doctoral Program – December 1st
  • Master’s Program – February 15th

Please note - The Molecular and Cell Biology Doctoral and Masters programs admit to the fall semester only. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

MCB Professional Master’s Program (PM) & Professional Science Master’s Programs (PSM)

The program accepts applications throughout the year for starting dates in the fall, spring or summer terms.

Regulations and policies of the Graduate School of the University of Connecticut govern admission to the program.

These regulations require:

  1. An earned baccalaureate degree
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all courses of record. Alternatively, a student may present a grade point average greater than 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate study coupled with other evidence of compliance and accomplishment. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may present an exceptionally strong grade point average for the most recent year's study, along with compelling evidence of potential for success.
  3. A personal statement from the applicant addressing his or her reasons for applying and his or her plans for the future.
  4. Three letters of reference from faculty or others who can address the candidate's potential for success in the graduate program.
  5. If you are not a native speaker of English, you must submit evidence of your proficiency in the English language (TOELF, IBT score)

Deadlines for PM and PSM Program:

  • Fall admission – May 15th
  • Spring admission – October 1st
  • Summer admission – March 15th

Please note – when applying to the MCB Professional Masters Programs the titles appear in the admissions application as Applied Biochemistry and Cell Biology MS, Applied Genomics MS, and Applied Microbial Systems Analysis MS.

For additional information, contact the MCB Graduate Coordinator, Chelsea Bartos, at:

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Unit 3125
Storrs, CT 06269-3125
Phone: 860-486-5483
Fax: 860-486-4331
Email: mcbgrad@uconn.edu

For information about financial support please visit this page