Graduate Admission Process
The Genetics GIDP recruits graduate students by two mechanisms. (1) The program accepts applications for direct admittance into Genetics. (2) Students who enter graduate school through the Arizona Biological and Biomedical Sciences (ABBS) program can chose Genetics as their graduate program in March of their first year of graduate school. The ABBS integrates recruiting and admissions for ten PhD programs at the University of Arizona and students are admitted to the ABBS with no formal commitment to a particular Ph.D program. Please visit the ABBS website for more information and application instructions.
The Genetics GIDP recruits master's students by direct admittance into Genetics.
Program-Specific Requirements
Students admitted to the Genetics GIDP are likely to have an undergraduate degree in the physical or biological sciences. However, applicants with other academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they have completed coursework or achieved the equivalent in experience in the following areas:
One year of biology
One year of organic chemistry and/or biochemistry
One year of physics for scientists
A semester of an upper-division genetics course would be a plus.
Currently students are admitted to the Ph.D. program only. It is not necessary to earn a Masters degree before enrolling in the doctoral program. The M.S. in Genetics degree is granted occasionally under exceptional circumstances.
Application Instructions
The application deadline is December 1. The following is a summary of all materials that should be prepared submitted on-line prior to the application deadline in order to complete your application:
• Graduate College Application for Genetics: https://apply.grad.arizona.edu/
• Scanned copies of transcripts from each and every college or university attended
• A Personal Statement (see below)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (follow the instruction on the Graduate College application)
• International students must submit TOEFL scores
• (Optional) Scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
It is recommended that you keep a hard copy of all on-line forms, in case there are technical problems with online transmission.
If you are admitted, you will be required to submit 2 copies of your official transcripts to:
Nathan Ellis
Genetics GIDP
1548 East Drachman St.
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 8572-0476
Problems submitting your application should be addressed to our Program Coordinator, at gidp@arizona.edu.
If your application is to be considered competitive, you will be invited to participate in an interview process in February.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement should be between 1000-1500 words long and include a discussion of your long-range goals; your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree; your interest in our program; information on your prior research experience; other relevant experience; and topics in genetics that are of particular interest to you and that might serve as the focus of your graduate program.
Reminder:
Ph.D. candidates should be aware that if your application is to be considered competitive, you will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview process in February.
Personal Statement:
Your personal statement should be between 1000-1500 words long, and might include a discussion of your long-range goals; your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree; your interest in our program; information on your prior research experience or teaching (if any); and topics in physiology that are of particular interest to you and that might serve as the focus of your graduate program.
Letters of recommendation
All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. These letters should be current or former advisors or instructors, and may address your previous research or laboratory experience, your academic qualification, your scientific potential, and your motivation for graduate work.
Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 4832
NRC Taxon(a) for this program: Genetics and Genomics
Application Deadlines
These deadlines apply to both Ph.D. and M.S. applications.
Domestic Applicants
- Fall - December 1
- Spring - No admissions
- Summer I - No admissions
- Summer II- No admissions
International Applicants
- Fall - December 1
- Spring - No admissions
- Summer I - No admissions
- Summer II- No admissions
To inquire about application outside of the Fall semester deadline, please contact our Program Coordinator.