Application Guidelines
Congratulations on your decision to apply for graduate study at Cornell University! We believe you will find that Cornell has rightfully earned its international reputation for excellence in education and research. The Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Graduate Program furthers this pursuit of excellence in our admissions process by:
- considering the strength of your application package as a whole, as well as in comparison to the entire applicant pool
- providing funding for all graduate students admitted to the BBS Program (contingent upon satisfactory performance and progress)
In recognition of the importance of the PhD in the scientific research and academic marketplace, 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. Because the Admissions Committee considers the application package as a whole, it should be your goal to provide them with the most complete picture of yourself by the application deadline. Applications that are not complete at the deadline may not be considered.
Application Requirements:
- Completed application
The application to the Cornell Graduate School (Ithaca campus) is completely online. Because the application requires the selection of a Graduate Field, you should first review the Research Areas to identify at least three (3) faculty that are doing research that interests you. Apply to the Field to which these faculty belong from among the five Graduate Fields in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program (BBS): Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS); Immunology & Infectious Disease; Molecular & Integrative Physiology (MIP); Pharmacology and Zoology & Wildlife Conservation (ZWC). Applications to the Fields in the BBS Program are considered by a committee in which faculty from all fields are represented. The graduate field to which you choose to apply becomes most important at matriculation and is easily changed as research interests evolve or change once you are enrolled.
- Statement of Purpose
This is a detailed (one- to two-page) statement about you, indicating your reasons for undertaking graduate work, as well as an explanation of your research interests and how they related to your undergraduate study and professional goals. This essay is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. You should take this opportunity to explain why you are undertaking graduate work, as well as highlight your research experiences and interests. Your statement is submitted online with your application.
- Transcripts
It is important that the committee have a complete picture of your academic background. You should have official transcripts from every institution that you previously attended either uploaded to your online application or sent to the College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Graduate Education (address below). Transcripts should detail the courses taken, grades and/or degrees received and G.P.A. Transcripts from institutions whose language of instruction is not English must be accompanied by a certified English translation of the transcript. Keep in mind that the Admissions Committees not only look at general G.P.A. of the student, but also grades in specific courses that are relevant to the discipline. - Standardized Tests: Be sure to take required tests well in advance of the application deadline (December 1) to ensure that your scores arrive before the deadline. Since transmission of official scores can take up to 4 weeks, you should sit for these tests before mid-October. Official scores should be sent to Cornell University Graduate School -- university code 2098. If you are concerned that your scores might not arrive in time, you may send a copy of your student score sheet to the Office of Graduate Education. Please be aware that xeroxed copies do not constitute official scores and cannot be used as a basis for making admissions decisions.
- GRE Examinations
Admissions Committees generally look for a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 1200. 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.
Subject tests are strongly recommended by the Fields of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Zoology as an additional measure of scientific knowledge.
- TOEFL
If your first language is not English, you are required to take the TOEFL test. This test must have been taken within two years of the application. The TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) is available for most test-takers and is the preferred version. For applicants in regions where the TOEFL iBT is not available, Cornell will continue to accept scores for the paper-based test (PBT). Minimum scores on the Internet-based test are, Writing: 20, Listening: 15 Reading: 20, Speaking: 22. A minimum score of 550 is required for the paper-based test. Official scores are required and should be sent to Cornell University, university code 2098. In order to be considered for admission, you must have the minimum score in each section of the iBT TOEFL. Results of IELTs are not accepted in place of the TOEFL. The only case in which you would be exempt from taking the TOEFL is if you have studied full-time for two or more years at an institution where English is the language of instruction and which is located in a country where English is the official language.
- Letters of Recommendation
Letters should be requested from people who have knowledge of your academic and research abilities and can transmit a positive impression of these qualities to the Admissions Committee. A Recommendation Form should accompany each letter. Letters can be submitted on-line or sent to the CVM Office of Graduate Education. Be sure to request the correct number of letters for the Field to which you are applying (CBS, Immunology & Infectious Disease, MIP, Zoology -- 2 letters; Pharmacology -- 3 letters).
The application deadline is December 1 for admissions in the Fall semester of the following year. Plan your application process so that all materials to be received by December 1.
All supporting documentation should be submitted online or sent directly to:
Graduate Education Coordinator
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Office of Graduate Education
Schurman Hall, S3-016, Box 38
Ithaca, NY 14853-2602
Important Message from the University regarding the application process: 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.
Interview/Recruitment
If you are a domestic applicant being considered for admission, you may be asked to attend an Interview/Recruitment Event, scheduled for February 5-8, 2012. 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.
See Also:
Scenes from Graduate Student Life
