Do I need to have an idea of which PhD program I want to join before applying to BBSP? No. Students are admitted into the BBSP for the first year of graduate study. During this year you are free to explore departments, programs, labs and courses before committing to a specific thesis lab or PhD program. We do ask for your top five research interest areas on the application, but that information is only used to help us better understand your goals and doesn’t affiliate you with any one specific department.
But I already know which PhD program I want to join! Can I apply directly to that program? No. If you are interested in obtaining a PhD in Biochemistry & Biophysics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Biology (MCDB Division), Cell & Developmental Biology, Cell & Molecular Physiology, Genetics & Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Neurobiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology you must apply via BBSP. Because BBSP has no core curriculum or required courses, nothing prevents a committed student from starting on the requirements for a program right away. Interested students should contact the Director of Graduate studies for their program of interest or check the program website for more information.
Please note: students interested in a PhD in the Biochemistry Division of Chemistry can apply either through BBSP or through the Chemistry department.
If I am a student working/studying abroad can I apply for admission to BBSP? Yes. You must submit the required application materials found on the apply section of the website. Due to the cost of funding, space is limited, and extremely competitive for international applicants.
Do I need to take the GRE? Yes. We require the general test only. We recommend taking the GREs in the Fall of 2008 (October 25, 2008 is the last fall test date). Remember that it takes 4-6 weeks for the official scores to be reported, so try to take it before you submit your completed materials.
Do I need to take the GRE Subject test?
We do not require a subject test, but if you take one and do well, we will most certainly pay attention to your score.
Do you have contact information for the GREs? GRE-ETS P.O. Box 6000 Princeton, NF 08541-6000 Website: www.gre.org
Phone: 1-866-473-4373
Do I need to take the TOEFL?
If you are an international student, and have a degree from a university in the US, then you are exempt from taking the TOEFL. If you are an international student, and do not have a degree from a university in the US, then you are required to take the TOEFL. Scores must be from a TOEFL test that was taken in 2006 or later.
Do you have contact information for the TOEFL? Educational Testing Services P.O. Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 Website: www.toefl.org Phone: 1-800-468-6335
The application asks about research interest areas – what are these?
Information about the interest areas and the faculty with research in those areas can be found at here. Your list, along with the personal statement, help the BBSP Admissions Committee get an idea of your basic interests so we can best evaluate your application
Should I use the Graduate School electronic form for my recommendation letters? Yes, please use the Graduate School forms. We will not accept paper copies.
What should I include in my Statement of Purpose?
The Statement of Purpose should be submitted online with your application should help the Admissions Committee assess your interests and goals. Your statement should be 1-3 pages and should address the following:
Your past research experience
Your future plans
Any unique factors and experiences which you have that may contribute to diversity in our training program, and
Any special reasons for applying to the University of North Carolina
Your specific research and training interests, and a list of the laboratories that you would like to consider for dissertation research
Faculty reviewers often comment negatively on the following factors: typographical errors, grammatical mistakes, and research descriptions that are technical but lack a brief discussion of the rationale and goals of the research project.
How do I check on the status of my application?
You may go here to monitor the status of your application.
What happens when my application becomes complete?
The BBSP Admissions Committee will begin to review applications in late December. We will contact our strongest candidates with invitations to interview starting early to mid-January. During the following weeks of January and February we continue to consider applications, but the number of applicants we can invite is limited. Once that limit is reached it is difficult to find resources to invite further applicants so again, it is to your advantage to apply early!
When will I find out if I have been accepted into the program?
The Admissions Committee meets shortly after the interview weekend to determine which applicants to recommend for offers of admission. We will contact students directly and the Graduate School will also send an official offer letter, and the students then have until April 15th to make a decision and inform us of their decision.
