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
If you are thinking about graduate school, the first step is deciding which degree is best for your interests and career goals—a master’s (M.A. or M.S.) or a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.).
Should I Pursue a Master's or a Ph.D.?
Connections you make at Brown are as valuable as the skills you learn and the knowledge you acquire from courses and research. Growing your network in college can be very helpful in finding research opportunities, internships, a full-time job after graduation, or acceptance into a graduate program.
Networking Tips
Funding packages vary by program and department, depending on teaching and research requirements.
Graduate School Funding
This infographic lays out the list of tasks for graduate school application from the end of the Junior to Senior year.
Graduate School Application Infographic
A curriculum vitae, or CV, is an academic resume that concentrates on your scholarship and achievements. Although most students compose a CV while in graduate school, you will need to complete one for graduate school applications.
How to write a CV
The statement of purpose is a very important part of your graduate school application. It not only provides a reason for your desire to pursue graduate education, but provides background on your experience and a writing sample to the committee.
Tips on Writing your Statement of Purpose
The Letters of Recommendation provide the acceptance committee with a professional opinion of your potential as a graduate student and researcher. Most graduate programs require three to five letters from academic, research/internship, employment, or community contacts.
How do I Obtain Letters of Recommendation?
Your ability to convey your desire for graduate/research training and knowledge of the field at the interview can boost your chances for acceptance.
Tips for Your Graduate School Interview
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.