The Department of Biology will offer a limited number of application fee waivers. To apply for a waiver, please fill out the form here:
Application Fee Waiver FormInformational Session with Directors of Graduate Program
Please join us for an informational session regarding the Biology Graduate Program at Georgetown University. We will be holding two sessions via Zoom (10/24 at 6 pm EDT and 11/6 at 6 pm EST ). We will send a Zoom link to all registrants approximately 24 hours prior to each session.
Informational Sessions with Graduate Students
We are holding an information session for applicants who have general questions about graduate school and the application process (Language requirements, contacting PIs, tuition/stipend/housing/health insurance/living expenses, etc.). These sessions are designed to be informative, especially for international applicants, and all applicants from different backgrounds are welcome to join.
We will be holding three sessions via Zoom with current Ph.D. students and one faculty member. The first will be on October 23rd from 10-11 am EST; the second will be on November 13th from 10-11 am EST. We will send a Zoom link to all registrants approximately 24 hours before each session.
How to Apply
The Georgetown Department of Biology houses a wide range of research interests that fall into two major categories: Ecology, Evolution and Behavior (EEB) and Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) with foci in Microbes & Infectious Disease and Neurodevelopment. The application process and the program can vary by research area. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the research programs of individual faculty, searching either by either name or by research area. Please contact faculty members directly regarding mutual research interests and the possibility of doing graduate research in their labs.
Ecology, Evolutionary and Behavioral Biology (EEB):
The research conducted within the EEB research groups encompass a wide range of study systems and methodological approaches. Because of this, EEB students typically do not rotate between multiple labs; prospective students usually commit to a lab and PI (Principle Investigator or Professor) before arriving to start their Ph.D. Prospective applicants should email the PI of the lab that they are interested in before they submit their application. Introduce yourself, describe your research interests, and where you think your interests align with those of the lab, and attach your CV or resume. You may be contacted by that PI and asked to have a phone call to talk about mutual research interests before you submit your application. If there are multiple labs that interest you, feel free to reach out to multiple PIs to determine what would be the best fit. In the research statement of your application, you should be able to state which lab you are applying to.
Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) in Microbes & Infectious Disease and Neurodevelopment:
The Department of Biology has developed two foci within the broad area of MCB: Microbes & Infectious Disease and Neurodevelopment. Students who are interested in conducting research in these areas typically perform rotations in one to three labs during their first year of the program; these rotations are in the labs of PIs who are actively recruiting graduate students. If there are multiple labs that interest you, feel free to reach out to multiple PIs to determine what would be the best fit. At the end of these rotations, students will come to a decision with the PI of the lab that they are interested in joining and commit to doing their graduate work in that lab. Prospective applicants should email the PI(s) of the lab(s) that they are interested in before they submit their application. As noted above, introduce yourself, describe your research interests, and where you think your interests align with those of the lab, and attach your CV or resume to the email. You may be contacted by that PI and asked to have a phone call to talk about mutual research interests before you submit your application. In the research statement of your application, you should be able to state in what area of research and in which labs you are interested.
Application Submissions
Applications are submitted through the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website but are reviewed by the Department of Biology. The fit of research interests and working style between the prospective student and the PI is an important component of admissions, and we encourage applicants to consider this. Please read through our Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) page before you start your application.
Timeline for Applying to the Biology Ph.D. Program
Our application deadline is December 1st to be considered for admission in the following fall semester. Applications are accepted throughout the year for spring and summer admission, but such applications are contingent on available funding.
- Late summer/fall: Read about the research programs and interests of faculty who are recruiting students for the following year. Contact PIs whose work is of interest to you; you may be asked to meet to evaluate mutual fit.
- December 1: Submit your application via the online portal.
- February: Attend interview weekend, or virtually meet with the potential PI and current and recent graduate students of the lab.
- February/March: Receive admissions or waitlist offers.
- April: Accept or decline the offer.
The following information must be submitted before the Biology Graduate Committee will review your application:
Application Checklist
- Complete form
- Unofficial college transcript(s) will be considered initially during the departmental review. For those we recommend to the Graduate School for admission, official college transcripts will be required.
- A one-page essay stating your research interests and career goals. Be sure to identify one or more faculty with whom you might like to work, and explain how your research interests are compatible with the research activities of the faculty that you identify.
- The Department of Biology and Georgetown University is a diverse, global community. We encourage you to submit the optional statement (about 500 words) on your own scientific, educational, and personal journey that has shaped your goals and how you hope to contribute to the vibrant diversity of our community. If you are interested in being considered for the Georgetown University Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (new window) Program, please use this section to discuss in a few sentences why you are interested in the IMSD program and what you hope to both gain from and contribute to the program.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three required
- If English is not your first language, a TOEFL score or an IELTS score is required.
The Biology Department is seeking graduate students who will contribute diverse perspectives to our vibrant research community. We particularly encourage candidates from groups that are underrepresented in STEM to apply. You can read more about the department’s work to build a more inclusive and equitable department on our Inclusive Community page.
Georgetown University admits qualified students of any age, sex, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities it generally accords or makes available to students. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, handicap, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. Inquiries regarding Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity may be addressed to the Director of Affirmative Action Programs. Georgetown University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
FAQ
How many applications do you receive per year, and out of those, how many do you usually accept into the program?
The number of applications received by the program varies from year to year and has been in the range of 50–75 recently. The rate of acceptance depends on several different factors, including available space and the amount of funding available for graduate students. We are currently looking to accept 8 students per year into the Biology Ph.D. program.
Can I submit my GRE scores, even though they are not required?
We do not review GRE scores because we do not believe that they accurately predict success as a graduate student or as a scientist. If you submit scores, they will not be considered part of your application.
Is there a GPA requirement?
The Biology Ph.D. program does not have a minimum GPA requirement. We review applicants holistically, and GPA is one of many considerations. Other considerations include prior research experience, special circumstances that affected your GPA, fit between you and potential research advisor(s) or study areas, and other preparation for graduate school.
Are there any specific undergraduate degree requirements or pre-requisite classes?
We expect students to have taken either a broad distribution of courses for a Biology major, or a narrower range of courses that might be from more specialized majors in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or Ecology & Evolution. However, if a student has not taken such courses, they will have the opportunity to take similar courses in their first two years.
What types of students are typically accepted into the program? Are applicants coming straight from undergraduate programs, or do they have previous work experience and/or Master’s degrees?
We are interested in individuals who want to join a vibrant research community, and we believe that diverse perspectives make for stronger science. As for previous experience, some students join the program straight from undergrad, while others have Master’s degrees, and others take time to work between degrees.
How much does it cost to apply?
The application fee is $90.
Are there examples of successful CVs or statements of purpose that I can read?
We recommend Cientifico Latino as a resource, for example, CVs, Statements of Purpose, and information about applying to fellowships.
Does the Department of Biology offer a Master’s degree?
No, the only graduate degree offered in the Department of Biology is the Ph.D. For information on other programs and departments that offer Master’s degrees, please refer to the main website for the Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Keep in mind that Master’s degrees are unfunded, while Ph.D. programs pay your tuition and salary.
What are the coursework requirements for the program?
The goal of the program coursework is to support and prepare students to excel in their research. The program requires a total of 16 credits; this is easily completed by taking one to two classes per semester in the first two years. Every first year student takes a “Graduate School Survival Skills” course that covers grant writing, presentation skills, and research ethics. The remainder of your credit requirements will be fulfilled by courses that match your specific research interests.
What are the teaching requirements for the program?
All Ph.D. students in the program must serve as Teaching Assistants (sometimes called Teaching Fellows by the department) for a minimum of two semesters. Some people TA for additional semesters. Teaching Assistants typically run lab or recitation sections for a course that is taught by a professor.
What are the salary and benefits for graduate students?
Students who are accepted into our doctoral program are guaranteed a minimum of five years of full stipend funding. Stipend rates are set in compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated by Georgetown University and the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees (GAGE), the graduate student labor union. You can read more about what it means to do a PhD in a union-protected graduate program here. Biology graduate students are paid on 12-month contracts; visit the GAGE website for the current and future minimum stipend information. The department provides full tuition waivers for all students for the duration of the program; PhD students do not pay any tuition. Students in the PhD program are also provided free student health insurance, free dental insurance, and free use of the Yates athletic facility. Graduate student workers are guaranteed six weeks of paid parental leave and six weeks of paid medical leave from their assistantship jobs. Please read the Graduate Funding page for more information about stipends.
What is the average timeframe for completion of the program?
Our students usually take an average of five years (5.3 years during the last decade) to complete all program requirements. The average time to degree varies by student and by lab; ask the current students and the PI of the lab you are interested in how long it took for recent graduates to complete their degree.
What else should I know about the program?
We recommend asking questions to make sure that the lab and PI will be a good fit for you, your interests, and your working style. We strongly encourage you to contact current graduate students with questions about the program, the lab, and the lab culture. During the interview process, PIs will usually set up times for you to talk to current or previous students in the lab. If they don’t, feel free to ask them to put you in touch! This paper provides a good overview of what factors you should consider when looking for an advisor.
Is it possible to complete the program as a part-time student?
Generally, the Ph.D. program is one that is full-time only. However, it may be possible under unusual or extenuating circumstances to consider exceptions.
Although I submitted my application by the required deadline date, the system is still showing my application as being “incomplete.” Will my application still be considered?
It is important for you to ensure that you submit your application by the required deadline date. However, sometimes supporting documents to your application (i.e. transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) that are sent from third-party sources separately may arrive at the Graduate School Office of Admissions at different times, or may arrive as a hard copy rather than electronically. As the Graduate School Office of Admissions receives a very high volume of applications (often all at once), it may take up to two (2) weeks after the submission deadline date for them to process all application credentials and input them into the system. If, after these two weeks have passed, you notice that your application is still reading as “incomplete,” please contact the Graduate School Office of Admissions directly, and they will do their best to assist you in resolving the situation.
Please be advised that all inquiries directly related to the receipt and processing of application materials must be directed to the Graduate School Office of Admissions, as the Biology office does not directly accept or process any of these documents.
For International Students
What is the average TOEFL score for students accepted into the program?
On average, the Admissions Committee looks for a score of 100 or better on the TOEFL (for international students). However, each application is reviewed and considered on an individual case-by-case basis, and these average scores can vary.
Do you accept the IBT (internet-based TOEFL) test in lieu of the TOEFL?
Yes, the IBT test is the TOEFL. This is a required component of the application for all international students whose native language is not English. Additional information on foreign language requirements for Georgetown University can be found on the Application Requirements Checklist page of the website for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
What if I do not believe my TOEFL scores will be sent to Georgetown University before the application deadline?
Please be advised that while score reports may be received after the application deadline, the test(s) must have been taken before this date, which is December 15th.
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Email address: biology@georgetown.edu