1. The application deadline is Dec. 4.
2. We hold one application cycle a year in the fall.
3. The Neuroscience Program accepts students via the Integrated Life Sciences Program (ILS). This one-semester program gives students an opportunity to rotate through several labs before committing to research home. This means that applicants must apply to the University of Georgia and ILS by Dec. 4.
4. Late applications or direct admits to the Neuroscience program are considered. However, the applicant must contact the Neuroscience office (neuro@uga.edu) of their intention to submit an application and once again after the application has been submitted. If you do not contact our office, we have no way of knowing that you submitted an application.

The Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Georgia offers unique multidisciplinary opportunities and innovative research approaches in broad areas of neuroscience and model systems that extend from yeast to primates. Our training model provides rigorous theoretical and methodological training in neuroscience utilizing the latest in related technologies. Students work with faculty to become independent thinkers, researchers, and decision-makers.

Due to the inherent interdisciplinary of the discipline, our program is designed to be flexible to complement the student’s background and emphasize their career objectives in neuroscience. Major emphasis is on course work related to dissertation research, but students are expected to develop a broad background in neuroscience. Therefore, many of the relevant coursework is offered through other departments (especially Psychology, Statistics, Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology & Pharmacology).

To view a list of our participating labs, please click here.

Our research community stretches across the university. Over 70 faculty representing nearly 20 departments participate in the Neuroscience Program. This breadth of sub-disciplines gives students an opportunity to curate a truly unique PhD program.

• Animal and Dairy Science
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cellular Biology
• Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Entomology
• Foods and Nutrition
• Health Promotion
• Human Development and Family Science
• Kinesiology
• Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Psychology
• Statistics
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Biosciences & Diagnostic Imaging

To view a list of faculty actively recruiting for the upcoming fall term, please see here.

If you find that UGA Neuroscience is the program for you, please let us know! Email the recruiting faculty members to inquire about their research, their lab culture, or anything else you would like to know. Successful applicants almost always establish a relationship with a faculty member prior to submitting an application. Remember to put your best foot forward by reading up on their research and remaining cordial throughout your communications. If you don’t hear back immediately, don’t be discouraged! Faculty are often busy. Be sure to follow up in a week’s time.

EVALUATION & TIMELINE

Applications are screened in December and early January. Assessment focus on research experience, letters of reference, GPA, overall potential for graduate study, and perceived fit with the program. Excellence in one or more areas can offset deficiencies in other areas; explanations for deficiencies should be described in your Personal Statement. Top domestic applicants will be invited to visit the UGA campus in early February for in-person interviews* and interactions with current students and research faculty. Top international applicants will have a Skype-based interview. Offers of admission will be extended to successful applicants shortly after interviews. Approximately 80% of interviewees are typically extended an admission offer.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Complete an online ILS Background & Interest form. This form can be submitted at any time, but preferably soon after you submit your online application to the UGA Graduate School. This form is critical to the evaluation of your application. Before completing the form, review the ILS website to identify Interdisciplinary Groups, Departments, and Faculty that are of interest to you.
2. Submit an official online application to the UGA Graduate School, and route required transcripts (unofficial transcripts sufficient for initial application review) and letters of recommendation as instructed during the application process. The UGA Graduate School website provides detailed descriptions of admissions requirements, the application fee, and other pertinent information. International applicants should review supplemental requirements prior to applying.

*The format for our applicant interviews will change due to COVID-19. Applicants will be notified with further details at the appropriate time.

GRE Subject Tests and GRE Personal Potential Index reports are NOT required, but accepted, as part of the application process

PERSONAL STATEMENT

The Statement of Purpose submitted to the UGA Graduate School during the application process can be the same as the Personal Statement requested on the ILS form, as long as the length and content are within the stated guidelines. We highly recommend that the statement include the following at the very least:

• your reason(s) for pursuing graduate study
• your interests (e.g., names of faculty, interdisciplinary groups, graduate programs, and research interests)
• evidence of scholarly activity (e.g., research experiences, manuscripts published/in preparation)
• any exceptional circumstances of which you wish to make us aware
• if applicable, explanations for any perceived deficiencies in your application

IMPORTANT CODES

Select Integrated Life Sciences, Ph.D., fall term as the major during the application process. If there is a department option, select Neuroscience.

The institutional code for ETS reports (i.e., GRE scores) is 5813.

In keeping with University of Georgia’s commitment to service and innovation, we embrace the knowledge that novel research and deep insights into complex biological problems often arise when science is conducted by individuals with different perspectives. Therefore, the Neuroscience PhD Program seeks to enroll students from underrepresented populations in STEM. Our program works in junction with Integrative Life Sciences to attract and retain talented neuroscience candidates from across the US and abroad. For more information regarding that program (and how it is incorporated into the Neuroscience PhD Program), please see our FAQ page or contact their office.

For assistance please contact the following:

1. ILS application help – ilsinfo@uga.edu
2. General Neuroscience questions – neuro@uga.edu
3. UGA application help – gradadm@uga.edu
4. See our FAQ page.