How to Apply
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The main criteria that we use to judge our applicants are:
- Research aptitude, experience, and potential.
- Academic performance: Grade point averages range between 3 and 4.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Interpersonal skills (including interview skills).
Admissions Procedures
All applications to University of Rochester Ph.D. programs are submitted online, via a centralized admissions process. Application deadlines can be found via a link on the Graduate Education main page. It is not necessary for you to contact individual faculty, although faculty are available to answer any questions that you may have.
Graduate study at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry means engaging in research and training that informs and shapes the world around us. We invite you to explore our facilities and resources, our people, and our community. We welcome your application to our school.
Application Requirements for PhD Programs
It is expected that all application materials (with the exception of official score reports) be scanned and uploaded to your online application. Please note that the University of Rochester reserves the right to verify the accuracy of all transcripts and test scores, and to require submission of official documentation at any point in the admissions review process.
- Create an online Admissions Application
- Statement of Purpose
- Uploaded copy of transcript(s) to online application.
Please do not mail a hard copy at this time.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- GRE scores are no longer used by the admissions committee in evaluating applications to the Program. Please note that because we share our admissions system with other programs, we are currently unable to remove the field that collects GRE information. Applicants can disregard this field. If GRE scores are submitted, the committee will not take them into account when making admissions decisions.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Applicants are required to provide official scores that are within 2 years of the original test date. Official TOEFL (SMD school code: 2948, SOPHAS application code: 5688) or IELTS Scores.
The Toxicology program does not require a writing sample. However, you may submit research papers, publications and other original works, or CVs if you feel that these will be helpful in the admissions process.
It is expected that all application materials (with the exception of official score reports) be scanned and uploaded to your online application. Please do not include secondary school documentation, financial documentation, etc., as these are not utilized during the admissions process.
Stipends for Ph.D. Students
- All of our students receive full tuition scholarships plus an annual stipend throughout their studies from a combination of university and NIH grant funds, with a training grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences accounting for a major part of the support.
- In addition to the stipend and tuition coverage, doctoral students receive single coverage health insurance while they are enrolled and making satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree.
- The 12 month stipend is $33,660 in academic year 2024-2025 (July 1 - June 30). Stipend amounts are reviewed annually and generally increased from $500 to $1,000. Support for travel to scientific meetings is also provided.
- Doctoral students who meet the criteria for other sources of assistance may apply for additional aid through the Financial Aid Office.
Interview Guide
A Guide for Interviewees