Biology

**There are two application paths available for certain doctoral programs. Depending on your objectives, you may apply directly to the Biology program or you may apply via the Biological and Biomedical Sciences application umbrella. Please visit program websites to determine the best fit for your objectives.

Program Degree Major Code Admissions
Term Deadline
Doctoral PhD BIOL Fall* December 3, 2024
Doctoral -Priority Deadline PhD BIOL Fall* November 19, 2024
Fall Graduate School Fellowships December 10, 2024 (Recommended) – PLEASE NOTE, ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 3, 2024, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FALL 2025 ADMISSION
Director of Graduate Admissions Sophie McCoy (somc@email.unc.edu)
Graduate Coordinator Ms. Kenlyn Merritt (kenlyn@email.unc.edu); please contact with all application inquiries.
Address Department of Biology
CB# 3280, Coker Hall
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Website bio.unc.edu
Phone 919-962-3391
Test Requirements
GRE not required
Letters of Recommendation 3
International Applicants Only TOEFL or IELTS score (no more than two years old)
Other Requirements In addition to the University’s required application materials, applicants should review the information below for additional expectations or application requirements.

The following items should be included in a complete application to the Biology department.  Failure to include any of the information or items requested below will result in the application not being reviewed. Please note that you are strongly encouraged to submit your application by our priority deadline of November 19th, 2024. All applications must be in by December 3rd, 2024 to be considered for 2025 admissions.

Students interested in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) should apply through the BBSP program (bbsp.unc.edu).  Students interested in Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology (EEOB) should follow the instructions below and use the Biology Department application process (bio.unc.edu). Students interested in the Quantitative Biology program can choose to apply directly to Biology (see instructions below) or apply to the BBSP program (bbsp.unc.edu).

For the EEOB and QBio programs, the direct admissions process is primarily driven by faculty interest, so please identify and contact at least one prospective adviser who’s lab you would be interested in joining before applying

  1. List one or more faculty with which applicant wishes to conduct research.
  2. List the research areas in which applicant wishes to work via the Area of Interest/Specialization drop-down box within the application.
  3. The required “Statement of Purpose” should consist of an essay (1-3 pages) describing research interests, proposed approaches, and career goals.
  4. In addition to the required Statement of Purpose, provide an essay (1-3 pages) describing prior research experience and its relationship to research interests and career goals.

*Only in unusual circumstances and after consultation with the program are other admission terms considered.