{"id":2635,"date":"2026-02-06T11:35:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T16:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pbrp\/?page_id=2635"},"modified":"2026-02-06T11:35:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T16:35:23","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pbrp\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are there any options for me if I have not\u00a0identified\u00a0a UNC mentor before applying?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you have not yet\u00a0identified\u00a0a PI or lab to work with\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0apply, we can enter your application into our applicant pool.\u00a0However, it\u00a0is preferred to already have a\u00a0postbac\u00a0position secured with a lab\/research space before applying to PRISM. If you do not have a mentor before the application deadline, you are encouraged to take a look at UNC faculty labs and research through our<\/span>\u202fBiological and Biomedical Sciences Faculty Database.<\/span><\/a>\u202fIf you find a lab that interests you, you are welcome to reach out to the PI.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Faculty who are looking to hire a postbac through PRISM have access to the applicant pool and are encouraged to reach out to applicants. We cannot guarantee a match, but we hope this option can help facilitate one. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a GPA requirement?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

We review all applications regardless of GPA. Therefore, there is no strict GPA cutoff. If you feel\u00a0it\u00a0necessary, please discuss any extenuating circumstances that may have\u00a0impacted\u00a0your GPA\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0application.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What graduate-level\u00a0course\u00a0do PRISM scholars take?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

All PRISM\u00a0scholars take a graduate-level course alongside\u00a0first-year biomedical PhD students\u00a0and have access to courses across the School of Medicine. PRISM\u00a0scholars work with our program staff\u00a0to select a course that is a good fit based on\u00a0your\u00a0interests\u00a0and background. Therefore, PRISM\u00a0scholars end up taking a variety of different courses.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the start dates for each cohort?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Three PRISM cohorts will launch throughout the year: Spring Cohort (January start date), Summer Cohort (June start date), and Fall Cohort (August start date). We require that scholars\u00a0be hired into their lab with a start date between the 1<\/span>st<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a015<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0of the month.\u00a0For example, if you are starting in the Summer Cohort, your start date\u00a0must\u00a0be between June 1<\/span>st<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0June 15<\/span>th<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who should write my recommendation letters?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Since\u00a0PRISM\u00a0is primarily a research program, the most impactful recommendation letters are from past and current research mentors. If you are currently\u00a0conducting research at your home institution and\u00a0have\u00a0also\u00a0completed a summer research experience at an external institution, you should provide a recommendation letter from both research mentors. While we recommend at least some research experience prior to applying\u00a0to PRISM, some applicants have not yet\u00a0participated\u00a0in research. If this is the case for you, please provide letters from professors and academic advisors who know you well. Please avoid letters from non-scientific employers and personal acquaintances if possible. However, if you have\u00a0conducted or\u00a0are\u00a0conducting research,<\/span>\u202fplease provide letters from your research mentors.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I apply\u00a0to PRISM\u00a0if I hold a\u00a0Master\u2019s Degree?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Generally, the\u00a0PRISM program model is not geared towards students who hold a\u00a0Master\u2019s\u00a0degree. The program\u00a0primarily\u00a0admits scholars who have recently completed and received their\u00a0Bachelor\u2019s\u00a0degree.\u00a0If\u00a0you will\u00a0hold a\u00a0master\u2019s\u00a0degree at the time of starting PRISM, please contact us to discuss.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How\u00a0is my time divided between my lab or research space and the other PRISM program requirements?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

PRISM is a full-time commitment, with the majority of your time spent conducting research in your lab or research space.\u00a0In addition, you will\u00a0participate\u00a0in monthly PRISM workshops and enroll in one graduate-level course for one semester during the PRISM year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are there any options for me if I have not\u00a0identified\u00a0a UNC mentor before applying?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you have not yet\u00a0identified\u00a0a PI or lab to work with\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0apply, we can enter your application into our applicant pool.\u00a0However, it\u00a0is preferred to already have a\u00a0postbac\u00a0position secured with a lab\/research space before applying to PRISM. If you do not have a … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67860,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2635","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFAQs - UNC Postbaccalaureate Biomedical Research Program<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/pbrp\/faqs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FAQs - UNC Postbaccalaureate Biomedical Research Program\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are there any options for me if I have not\u00a0identified\u00a0a UNC mentor before applying?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you have not yet\u00a0identified\u00a0a PI or lab to work with\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0apply, we can enter your application into our applicant pool.\u00a0However, it\u00a0is preferred to already have a\u00a0postbac\u00a0position secured with a lab\/research space before applying to PRISM. 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