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Biological Sciences PhD admission requirements

To be admitted to the Master’s or Doctoral program, both departmental and University requirements must be met. Application materials must be obtained from both the Department of Biological Sciences at (269) 387-5624 and the Office of Admissions and Orientation at (269) 387-2000. Or simply follow the instructions outlined in the following section "How to apply" as online application is available for your convenience

To be considered for either graduate program, an application must contain:

1. Completed University and Departmental application forms;
   
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended, indicating that the applicant has:
   
   1. earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0, and
   2. taken appropriate courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics;
3. Official scores for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examination (these must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Orientation). Biology subject GRE scores are recommended, but not required, for applicants to the Ph.D. program;
   
4. Three letters of recommendation; and
   
5. A cover letter highlighting the student’s most important and relevant accomplishments to date, and indicating how graduate work at Western Michigan University will further the applicant’s career goals.
   

Although not required for admission, applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the departmental web site (www.wmich.edu/bios) to acquaint themselves with the current research programs of departmental faculty, and to contact individual faculty whose research the applicant finds particularly interesting.

Students with academic deficiencies may be provisionally admitted and required to address their deficiencies during their first year in the graduate program.

How to apply

Online application wizard is now available

To be admitted to the Ph.D. program, both departmental and University requirements must be met. Please see application processes below. Application deadline is typically February 15 for the Fall admission.

1. Where to get materials: Application materials must be obtained from both the Department of Biological Sciences at (269) 387-5624 and the Office of Admissions at (269) 387-2000. Alternatively, you may fill out on-line application for the University part of your application. A departmental application form that you can complete in Microsoft Word can be downloaded here. **International applicants must apply to our program through the Office of International Student Services (OISS). Follow the instructions on the OISS page to complete the application process. International applicants must apply to the Department of Biological Sciences. See the flowchart below for details.
   
2. Complete University application form; Again, a University application can be filled on-line. Please follow the instructions presented on the Office of Admissions Graduate Online Application page.
   
3. Prepare official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended, indicating that the applicant has:
   1. earned a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0, and
   2. taken appropriate courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics;

      Ask institutions that you previously attended to send your transcript directly to: Office of Admissions and Orientation, Graduate Division, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5120. Hand carried or student copies cannot be accepted. Official transcripts from all previous institutions must be received before your application can be considered for admission.
      

4. If you complete the on-line university application forms, print the "Applicant Affirmation Form" available at the end of the application process. Send the affirmation form and $25 non refundable fee to: Office of Admissions and Orientation, Graduate Division, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5120.
   
5. Complete the Department of Biological Sciences application form and send it to the Department of Biological Sciences (address shown below) with the items on the list 6-8.
   
6. Official scores for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examination (these must be submitted to the office of Admission and orientation) Our Institution code is 1902 and Department code is 0299.
   
7. Three letters of recommendation sent to the Department of Biological Sciences.
   
8. A cover letter highlighting the student's most important accomplishments to date and indicating how graduate work at Western Michigan University will further the applicant's career goals. Send the cover letter to the Department of Biological Sciences

Again, application deadline is February 15 for the Fall admission, and July 15 for Spring admission.

Graduate Admission Committee
3425 Wood Hall
Department of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009-5410 U.S.A.

Although not required for admission, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty to discuss their research interests. Students with academic deficiencies may be provisionally admitted and required to address their deficiencies during the first year in the graduate program.

All applications will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee, composed of the Graduate Advisor and three representatives of the Biological Sciences faculty. Qualified applicants will be interviewed by the Committee

It is the policy and commitment of Western Michigan University not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, handicap or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other pertinent state and federal regulations.

Questions?

Biological Sciences faculty member: To speak with a current faculty member call (269) 387-5600, or visit our faculty page for a list of e-mail addresses.

Current graduate student: To speak with a graduate student call (269) 387-5600.

General questions about Admissions & Selection processes

Graduate Advisor:

Dr. John Spitsbergen
Phone: (269) 387-2739
Fax: (269) 387-5609
Contact the graduate advisor