Admissions
Admission requirements for the Ph.D. Program include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, a strong background in the basic sciences, and prior research experience.
Prerequisites and technical standards
Prerequisites
All Ph.D. Program candidates must fulfill the following requirements for eligibility:
- A baccalaureate degree, preferably in the biological or physical sciences, must be obtained from an accredited institution
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is necessary
- Certification of the degree is required
Suggested undergraduate coursework:
- It is strongly suggested that applicants have completed one year of coursework with demonstrated competence (B average or above) in biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus
- Additional coursework in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and physiology is encouraged
- Applicants for the Biomedical Engineering and Physiology Track are encouraged to have courses in quantitative science and engineering (such as signal processing, computer science, and instrumentation)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is optional.
Note that undergraduate courses are not available at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Technical standards
The following nonacademic criteria (technical standards) are required for all students, with or without reasonable accommodation, to participate in the graduate education program:
- Able to participate actively in all aspects of laboratory experimentation. Observation and information acquisition requires functional auditory and somatic sensation.
- Able to communicate your discoveries to the scientific community in English. Required communication skills include speaking, reading, and writing. If English is not your native language, you will be required to attest to English proficiency at the time of application. There are six approved ways to demonstrate English language proficiency:
- TOEFL or IELTS exam within the last three years.
- A signed letter from an academic institution or English language school that is internationally recognized by IALC or other recognized entity. The letter was dated within the last two years and states the dates when the prospective student attended the institution or school. The letter affirms that the scholar achieved at least intermediate level skills, the equivalent of a B-2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Language or CEFR, in English language speaking and listening.
- A Native English speaker from one of the qualifying countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Gambia, Grand Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Irish Republic, Jamaica, Kenya, Micronesia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Kits & Nevis, Singapore, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), Zimbabwe
- Received a diploma from a U.S. university.
- Attended a foreign university where the instruction took place in English.
- A Ph.D. program director has conducted an English language interview and can attest to proficiency in the English language.
- Have sufficient motor function to perform lab experiments.
- Able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize.
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"So many different kinds of opportunities"
How to apply
Please apply to only one primary track of interest for each admission cycle. Your application and all supporting documentation must be received between Sept. 1-Dec. 1, including letters of recommendation.
Complete the following steps to apply:
- Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
- Complete each section of the application and submit
- After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
- Complete the Recommendation Request section
Additional required items
- CV/Resume
- Personal Statement is to include the following and to be uploaded in the Supplemental Items section:
- List your prior research experience in chronological order, indicating the role you played in each project. If any of your research experience(s) have resulted in publication, please upload with your personal statement the first two pages of each publication, which should contain the abstract and introduction section. (Note: Publications will be uploaded with your personal statement.)
- Indicate which has been your most satisfying research project and why it was satisfying to you.
- Summarize your current scientific interests and career goals.
- Specifically answer the question: "Why do you want to be a biomedical scientist?"
- Your personal statement should be two to four pages if single-spaced, or three to five pages if double-spaced.
- Unofficial transcripts of courses from all colleges or universities attended may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area for application purposes. If accepted to the program, official transcripts must be emailed from the institution to phd.training@mayo.edu or mailed directly to:
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Attn: MCGSBS Ph.D. Program Admissions
GU 2-24
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905
- Three letters of recommendation (including letters from research mentors) are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a rating form and upload a letter.
- If you choose to submit a GRE score report, use School Code 6444 and Department Code 0299 Other. Upload the results into the Supplemental Items section.
The most qualified applicants are invited to interview. Mayo Clinic welcomes applications from diverse learners.