College of Veterinary Medicine - Cornell University

Admissions

The BBS Program accepts applications for PhD study only.  Admissions decisions are made on an annual basis; the application deadline is December 1 for admission in the following Fall semester. 

The success of the BBS Program is dependent on the quality of the graduate students enrolled.  We therefore take great care in the selection of potential students: the entire BBS Oversight Committee reviews and evaluates all applications.  Candidates come from many academic backgrounds.  There are no set standards; rather we are searching for applicants who we believe can flourish in the program.  Applicants are judged on the entire application package; including academic credentials (GPAs, GRE scores), the statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.  Prior research experience is considered particularly useful. However, it is not a prerequisite.  Applications that are not complete at the deadline may not be considered.

                 

Application Requirements

• Selection of a Graduate Field; you should first review the Research Areas to identify at least three faculty who are doing research that interests you. Apply to the Field to which these faculty belong within the Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program (BBS): Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Immunology & Infectious Disease, Molecular & Integrative Physiology, Pharmacology and Zoology & Wildlife Conservation.
• Statement of purpose and completed online application - APPLY NOW
• Transcripts from all colleges attended
• GRE Aptitude tests should be sent to Cornell University, Code #2098.
• Admissions Committees generally look for a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 308 (1200 if you took the test prior to August 2011).  If your scores are slightly lower, don’t panic; you still may be considered for admission based on strengths in other areas of your application.
• TOEFL (test of English as Foreign Language for applicants whose native language is not English) TOEFL minimum sub-scores for each element can be found here.
• Letters of Recommendation
• CBS, Immunology & Infectious Disease, MIP, Pharmacology, and ZWC all require 2 letters

Application Fee Waivers
In cases of extreme financial need or participants of special programs the Graduate School will consider a request for a fee waiver. For detailed instructions, please go to:  http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/fees.

On-Campus Interview

Top candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview. If you are a domestic applicant being considered for admission, you may be asked to attend an Interview/Recruitment Event, scheduled for February 4-5, 2013.  Invitations will be extended in mid-December.  At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, selected international applicants may be contacted for interviews via phone or internet.

Admissions Decisions

Final admissions decisions will be made after on-campus and videoconference interviews are conducted.

Cornell University expects all applicants to complete their application materials without the use of paid agents, credentials services, or other paid professional assistance. The use of such services violates University policy, and may lead to the rejection of application materials, the revocation of an admissions offer, cancellation of admission, or involuntary withdrawal from the University.