University of Georgia

APPLICATION PROCESS

Admission to Graduate Studies

Join our thriving and vibrant neuroscience community at the University of Georgia. Our rigorous, yet adaptive curriculum facilities novel approaches to urgent research questions. We are committed to preparing the next generation of neuroscientists for a range of rewarding careers.

Students holding a B.S. degree or M.S. from an accredited institution are invited to apply for admissions to our PhD program every fall. This process is facilitated by the the Integrated Life Sciences Program which provides incoming graduate students with the opportunity to rotate through a myriad of research training environments across the university before committing to the laboratory that best suits their research interests.

Graduate Program

The Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Georgia offers unique multidisciplinary training opportunities and innovative research approaches in broad areas of neuroscience and model systems that extend from planarians to humans. Our program provides rigorous theoretical and methodological training in neuroscience utilizing the latest in biomedical technologies.

To complement this rigorous technical skills training, students complete foundational neuroscience coursework in departments across the University (especially Psychology, Statistics, Cellular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Physiology & Pharmacology). Our program of study allows trainees to approach pressing questions within the discipline from multiple perspectives thus facilitating the development of one’s critical and abstract thinking capacities.

The program is structured to give students a high-level of autonomy, allowing them the discretion to determine the research trajectory that suits their professional interests. Such a program best serves highly independent and self-disciplined students seeking an flexible and collaborative training environment.

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities
Explore options for funding your graduate student experience in the UGA Neuroscience Program here.

Admission Requirements

Base requirements for consideration for admission to the Neuroscience are listed below.

►  Students holding a B.S. degree or M.S. from an accredited institution. The average undergraduate GPA and graduate GPA of recent accepted students is 3.4 and 3.6, respectively.

►  Coursework in quantitative skills—particularly as it relates to chemistry, physics, biology, genetics, biochemistry, and neuroscience. Nevertheless, students without these backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

►  UGA will accept satisfactory scores on either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo language proficiency examinations. Scores must be reported to UGA electronically by the testing agency.

  • The minimum TOEFL score requirement: overall score of 80 with at least 20 on speaking and writing
  • The minimum IELTS score requirement: overall band-width of 6.5, with no single band (score) below 6.0
  • The minimum Duolingo score requirement: overall score of 105

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores that are not more than two years old. Applicants who have received degrees from accredited institutions in the U.S. or from institutions in countries where English is the primary language (see list here) are usually are not required to submit scores. If such an applicant received the degree more than two years prior to application to the Graduate School and has been residing/working in a country where the primary language is not English, they must submit current scores.

Required Application Materials

  1. Official admission application
  2. An Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) application
  3. Unofficial transcripts are required for the review process. If accepted, you must submit official transcripts prior to matriculation.
  4. Statement of purpose to include your goals in pursuing graduate study, research experience, names of faculty with whom you’d like to work, as well as explanations for any perceived deficiencies in your application. Applicants are encouraged to review our faculty directory––particularly our concentrated list of faculty currently recruiting––for guidance on how to personalize their statements.
    • TIP: Successful applicants typically engage prospective faculty prior to submitting their application.
  5. Two letters of reference by individuals who can speak to your academic record and/or research experiences.
  6. International students may be required to show English language proficiency and proof of finances; see the UGA Graduate School site for details.
  7. No GRE scores are required. However, they are accepted and considered if submitted with your application materials. Use 5813 as the institutional code for ETS reports (i.e. TOEFL scores).

How to Apply for Fall 2022 Admission

  1. Submit an official online application to the UGA Graduate School. Select Integrated Life Sciences, PhD, Fall term as the major during the application process.
  2. Submit an Integrated Life Sciences online application to the ILS Program.

Application Deadline

Full consideration for financial support will be given to applications received by the stated ILS deadline:

►  December 4th, 2021.

Evaluation + Timeline

Applications are screened in early January. Assessment focuses on research experience, strength of a candidate’s 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. Therefore, 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.

Direct Admission to the Neuroscience Program

In exceptional cases, students may be admitted directly into the Neuroscience Program. However, as our program is inherently interdisciplinary, we strongly advises students to take part in any opportunity (like the ILS lab rotations) which provides valuable cross-disciplinary training. The faculty a student rotates with may later serve on their dissertation committee and prove to be critical collaborators in future research.

To inquire about direct admission, please contact the Neuroscience Program Office at neuro@uga.edu.

Direct Admission Deadlines

Direct admission applicants must contact the Neuroscience Program Office prior to submitting an application. Unsolicited applications risk being unevaluated. Our office only considers applications submitted by the deadlines set by the Graduate School.

Domestic Application Deadlines
Fall Semester – July 1
Spring Semester – November 15
Summer Semester – May 1

International Application Deadlines
Fall Semester – April 15
Spring Semester – October 15
Summer Semester – February 15

Questions?

For assistance please contact the following: