Applicants who are interested in graduate study in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University should have a background in general biology and must have graduated from a recognized four-year college, university, or institute of technology, or have earned equivalent credentials. To be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, the application package must be complete. The application package consists of:

• • Transcripts - Photocopies of transcripts will be accepted for review purposes only. However, if you are accepted to the program, it will be on a provisional basis until we receive your official transcript from each college-level institution attended, whether a degree was conferred.
    
    International applicants, the admissions committee will not review an application without transcripts in English.
  • Optional GRE - Neither the general GRE nor subject GREs are required but will be reviewed if submitted with your application. We assess applicants holistically and take into consideration may factors such as courses taken and research. Photocopies of GRE scores will not be accepted, and scores must be no more than five years old. Please send your scores to the following codes:
    • Institution code: CMU 2074
    • Department code: Biology 0203
  • Non-native English - English proficiency test scores are required for all non-native English-speaking applicants unless the applicant has completed a university-level degree in the U.S. or another majority-native English-speaking country in the last four years, such as: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (excluding Quebec), Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom. Photocopies of TOEFL/IELTS/DUOLINGO scores will be accepted for admission purposes only, and scores must be no more than two years old. However, if you are accepted to the program, it will be on a provisional basis until we receive your official English proficiency score. Please send your scores to the following codes:
    • Duolingo English Test: Select “Carnegie Mellon University – Mellon College of Science”
    • TOEFL: Institution Code: CMU 2074; Department Code: 35
    • IELTS Program Code: Select “Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science”
  • Three online letters of recommendation - These letters should be from individuals who are able to evaluate your ability to successfully complete a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences; at least one letter should be from the college most recently attended.
  • Statement of Purpose - This document should be a well-written, 1–2-page essay describing previous research experience (including your role in any projects), primary areas of interest, motives for a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and reasons for considering the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon for graduate work.

The admissions committee will review all completed applications from both domestic and international students. Your application is not complete until you receive confirmation the online form is completed AND have submitted all the required forms.