Ph: (217) 333 1630, FAX: (217) 244 6615, E-Mail: biophysics@life.illinois.edu
Director: Robert M Clegg Administrative Coordinator: Cindy Dodds
| Quick Links:
UIUC Student Links:
Grad College Links:
School of MCB Links: Other
Program Links:
Outside
Links: |
Graduate Admissions
Applying to the Graduate ProgramWhen to apply: How to apply: Step 1: If an applicant does not have web access, they may apply by mail. Biophysics Supplemental Application Forms
Financial AidFinancial aid is available to Biophysics and Computational Biology graduate students in the form of fellowships, tuition and fee waivers, teaching and research assistantships, and traineeships. Students in good academic standing receive continued financial aid throughout their graduate study in the Program. After their first year of studies, most students are supported directly by their research advisor in the form of a research assistantship, which continues until graduation. In addition, all students are required to teach for one semester. Traineeships and fellowships are awarded on a highly competitive basis. For fellowship or training grant consideration for Fall admission, completed applications should be filed by January 10. The Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology administers the Molecular Biophysics Training Grant (NIH). Application Fees (beginning Fall 2007)International applicants - $75 Payment of the application fee is required. If applying on-line, fees will be paid via credit card prior to the submission of the application. If a paper application is submitted, the application must be accompanied by a check - payable to the University of Illinois - which must be drawn from an account from a United States of America banking institution. If an applicant wishes to request a fee waiver, they must contact the Admissions and Records office directly. Waivers are granted only in extremely rare cases. GRE/TOEFL*GRE: The General GRE is required of applicants to the Biophysics and Computational Biology Graduate program. NOTE: The only exception to this requirement is for students applying to the MD/PhD program. We will accept MCAT scores in lieu of the GRE in those cases. GRE subject exams are not required.
**TOEFL: All non-native English speaking students are required to submit TOEFL scores There are two exceptions to the TOEFL requirement.
TOEFL scores for international applicants whose native language is not English must meet the University minimum of 550 (or 213 on the computer exam). The Biophysics Admissions Committee looks for TOEFL scores near or above 600. Applicants who apply after 2007 will be taking the iBT TOEFL. The University minimum score on the iBT is 79. The Biophysics Admissions Committee will look for scores on the spoken section of the exam to be near 24 - the minimum required to teach at the University. In lieu of the TOEFL, the IELTS will also be accepted. Students who receive score of 8 on the spoken section of the exam would be eligible to teach. The University minimum score is 6.5. Please contact the Center office if you have any questions regarding these exceptions. Information needed by ETS to report
scores to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Optional: Declaration and Certification of Finance FormBecause we guarantee financial support for incoming students, the Declaration and Certification of Finance form is not required for international students applying to the Biophysics and Computational Biology program. However, it is important to note if you have financial support through a government or a private source (like Fulbright, etc). We would need to be made aware of that funding, and would only then supplement your stipend support to the level of other graduate students in our Program. Field of SpecializationOn both the Application form and the Letter of Reference form, there is a space for Field of Specialization. This field is not required for students applying to Biophysics and Computational Biology. Official transcriptsWe require official transcripts from each institution you have attended. An official transcript is obtained directly from the institution and comes in a sealed envelope with the stamp/signature of the registrar on the transcript and the envelope. You may send your official transcripts with your other materials, or have the institution send them directly to Biophysics. One copy of your official transcripts is sufficient for evaluation purposes. If you are admitted, you will be asked to provide a final, official transcript - showing degree conferral - to the Admissions Office. Letters of recommendationOnly three letters of recommendation are required for each applicant. There are official letter of recommendation forms available in the on-line application material, and your recommenders may choose to send their letters electronically. If they choose not to send them electronically, you should print out the forms for them and they should either type their recommendation directly on the form, or send a separate letter of recommendation to accompany the official form. If the form is to accompany a separate letter, the letter itself must be on the official letterhead (not some version printed out from a personal computer) of the school or institution, with an original signature of the person writing the recommendation letter (not a rubber stamped signature or photocopy of a letter). The recommendation form accompanying the letter must also bear the original signature of the person writing the recommendation letter and their name, title, address, phone number and email address. If you are unable to send the recommendation form to the person writing the letter, they may submit an official letter of recommendation directly to my office (address below), as long as it is on official letterhead, bears an original signature, and contains all the information on the recommendation form (name, title, phone number, email and mailing address). Answers to FAQs for incoming Graduate Students by Cindy Dodds Questions about the graduate program should be directed to: Cindy Dodds, Administrative Coordinator |