Division of Biology and Medicine
Biology Undergraduate Education
Pre-Graduate School Advising
Useful resources whether you are applying to a graduate school or taking a gap year
Pre-Graduate School Advising
Useful resources whether you are applying to a graduate school or taking a gap year
Graduate School Application Overview
Should I apply to graduate school?
Your decision to enter into graduate school will be determined by your readiness. Will you decide to enroll right after graduation or will you decide to wait a few years to work or take classes? The average duration of graduate school in biology is 4-6 years. Thus, you will need to make a strong commitment to the pursuit of a PhD. If it takes a couple of years to address personal, educational, or experiential concerns, take the time and be fully prepared for graduate school.
View more of the "How-to Guide" to the Process
Graduate School Application Four-Year Timeline
This outline is catered towards those students who would like to enter graduate school immediately after graduation. If you are going to take a gap year(s), you need to prepare your graduate school application at least a year in advance of your expected year of enrollment.
View Timeline View Checklist
Pave the Path to Graduate School
Faculty Advising for Graduate School Application
Strategies for applying to graduate school are diverse, especially depending on the discipline of interest. Finding experienced mentors can be critical to navigating the path to graduate school. The following faculty have offered to be Faculty Advisors to students pursuing graduate education, and they represent broad areas of the biomedical fields.
Gap Year
A gap year is a period of time between your undergraduate training to graduate school when a student explores career options or additional academic work. It is common for students to plan a gap year or longer to refine academic and career goals, develop a more mature outlook, gain experience, and strengthen their graduate application.