How to Apply

Applications are available electronically. To apply online go to:
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/gradschool/admissions/index.html and fill out all the required fields including designation of your initial selection of one of the seven graduate program groups.

  • List "Biomedical Sciences" on the application as the "Department Applied To" or use code 900422
  • List One of the Seven Biomedical Sciences Graduate Groups (below) as the
    "Area of Interest"     
  1. Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics
  2. Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases
  3. Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
  4. Molecular Medicine (Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology)
  5. Neuroscience
  6. Structural & Computational Biology and Biophysics
  7. Biomedical Engineering (use the application portal found at:
    http://bme.virginia.edu/grad/ 

Upon completion of the application, you will receive an email message asking you to complete a supplemental application, and to designate appropriate research foci, which may help us to understand your interests and to identify potential faculty members whose research foci may mesh with your personal interests. The formal application deadline is April 15th, but students seeking full financial support (stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance), are encouraged to use a deadline date of January 15th to ensure timely consideration of their application. Paper application forms may be downloaded from the same address as above and mailed to the address indicated on the application form.

All students are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test and are encouraged to take a pertinent GRE Subject Test. Please use Institution Code 5820; UVA does not, at this time, use a GRE specific department code. Applicants for whom English is not their native language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants are encouraged to obtain letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your research experience and potential.  You are also encouraged to send reprints of publications that you have co-authored, or other relevant materials for review by the Admissions Committee. Two letters of recommendation are required but additional letters are often submitted and are welcomed.  All supplemental materials should be mailed to:

Dean of Graduate Admissions
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400775
437 Cabell Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4775
fax: (434) 924-6737
Students selected for an expense paid interview/recruiting visit will be personally contacted by the Director or Associate Director of the Graduate Group you designate on your application form. Your choice of research foci will be used to coordinate interviews with faculty from our advanced graduate specialty training areas as well as from the primary BIMS Graduate Group.

The requirements for admission to our Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Programs are rigorous since it is our goal to recruit only the very best students who will go on to be leading scientists in academia, industry, and other areas. Requirements for application include completion of a Bachelor’s degree at a reputable undergraduate institution. Although strong weighting is given to a student’s grade point average and GRE scores, the most important criterion for admission is a student’s passion and commitment for research and aspiration for a professional career conducting pioneering biomedical research.

For more information, contact the Graduate Programs Office at bims@virginia.edu or the director of the Graduate Program Group of Interest