Application Process

When should an applicant apply?

1. Applications are accepted for FALL Semester's admission only. Fall Semester begins first week of September.
2. The Plant Biology Graduate Program does not admit students in the Spring semester.
3. Complete applications must be received by the following dates to be considered for admission in the program.

Deadlines for Admission

January 1	March 1	April 1
For both Domestic and International applicants, who wish to be considered for University Fellowships (i.e. with support)	For International applicants to be considered for admission without University support	For Domestic applicants to be considered for admission without University Support

How an Applicant Should Apply?

1. Apply online. Here is the link to apply online, gradstudy.rutgers.edu. Click on 'Apply'. We suggest you should apply when you have all the required documents prepared including your transcripts, the GRE,TOEFL iBT scores, recommendation letters and other documents as a complete application.*
2. Complete the online application.
3. Note the RUID number that your application has assigned.
4. Use the ID number to check the status of your application online throughout the process.
5. Send all the supporting documents directly to the Graduate Admission Office. Please do not mail any transcript/documents to the Plant Biology Graduate Program as this may cause delay in processing and results in your application not being received on time for review by the Plant Biology Graduate admissions committee.

*For Students absolutely unable to apply online, paper applications are available by contacting the Graduate Admissions Office.

A Complete Application Consists of:

1. Application
2. Personal Statement
3. Three (3) letters of recommendation
4. Official transcripts from all other universities and colleges attended - To be sent directly from your institute to the Graduate Admission Office
5. OPTIONAL - The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) recommended scores
   1. Verbal: 153 or better
   2. Quantitative: 150 or better
   3. Writing: 35 or better
6. GRE Advanced Test in applicable subjects (recommended not required):
   • Biology/Biochemistry/or Cell & Molecular Biology
7. Test of English as Foreign Language --
   1. TOEFL iBT (via internet) Writing-22 Reading-21 Listening-17 Speaking-23 TOTAL-83
      
      OR
   2. Paper-based TOEFL with minimum score of 550
      
      OR
   3. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7.0
8. Resume

What Is the Process and the Admissions Committee?

1. A student fills out COMPLETED application on-line on the University's Graduate School website.
2. When and if and application is COMPLETE, the Graduate School forwards it to the Department for review by the Admissions Committee of the Department.
3. Every application is reviewed and ranked by the members of the Admissions Committee. This committee is comprised of faculty in the Graduate Program in Plant Biology Department. Once it has been reviewed, the decision is forwarded to the Graduate School to be shared with the applicant.
4. Information on applicants found acceptable to the program is forwarded to every faculty member in the Graduate Program in Plant Biology as each application has been reviewed. This allows faculty who are searching for students to review the acceptable applicant pool and contact applicants whose research interests may overlap with theirs.
5. It is best to complete your application early in the time line so you are considered to fill open spaces in Labs (based also on your credentials).

Important Note

1. A promise of faculty sponsorship does not guarantee admission to the program
   1. In other words, though you cannot be denied admission due to lack of faculty sponsorship, but you also cannot automatically be accepted/admitted to the program simply because you have a faculty sponsorship.
2. Accepted admittance in the program does not guarantee a Teaching Assistantship or Graduate (Research) Assistantship or a Fellowship.
   1. TA/GA/Fellowship is based on your application and academic credentials upon admittance.

More Information

• For more information about our faculty, see our list of current Plant Biology Program Faculty and their research interests