When to Apply
The admissions application opens in early September for consideration for admission to our Ph.D. program in biochemistry in the following fall semester. Our application deadline is December 1. Early applications are strongly encouraged. The review process begins in November and applications may be considered as soon as they are complete.
The Admissions Committee will assess a candidate’s potential for success in the IPiB program by taking all aspects of the application into consideration. Holistically, we will review your research experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement and academic transcript.
Request IPiB Program Information
Please complete a short questionnaire to help IPiB Admissions send the information important to you.
Questionnaire link
Application Questions?
Student Services Coordinator
IPiB-Admissions@wisc.edu
608-262-7207
Prerequisites
- Candidates must meet the general requirements of the UW–Madison Graduate School.
- Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US institution or a comparable degree from an international institution in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or one of the biological or medical sciences.
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours is required.
- A successful candidate will have had substantive laboratory experience that demonstrates commitment and talent for research.
- Most successful applicants will have completed a rigorous undergraduate curriculum that includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics and math. Adjusted grading scales due to COVID-19 will not affect your chances of admission.
- English proficiency for those whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS). TOEFL/IELTS scores can be no more than 2 years old. Note: Some international applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Please refer to the Graduate School for more information.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Submit the UW–Madison Graduate School Application online
The admissions application opens in early September. All application materials must be received by the December 1 deadline as only complete applications will be reviewed.
Program Select: choose “Biochemistry PhD”
2. Personal Statement
In 1-2 pages, describe your career goals, academic background, research interests, and past and present research experience(s), that have prepared you for the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). Additionally, state concisely why you’ve chosen the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) for your graduate studies in biochemistry and which IPiB trainers you would be interested in rotating with during your first year.
3. Current CV/Resume (PDF)
4. Transcripts
Upload unofficial transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended (undergraduate and graduate), even if no degree was received.
Note: International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. If accepted to the program, an official transcript will be requested.
5. Three Letters of Recommendation
The three letters should be from people familiar with your research, such as current or previous research/laboratory advisors/mentors, and who can comment on your strengths, character traits, and potential for graduate study.
In the online application, list names and emails of three references who will submit electronic letters of recommendation. Using this option, references will automatically receive an email prompt to submit a letter of recommendation electronically. Let your references know ahead of time that the Graduate School will send them a request for their letter of recommendation via email.
6. Application Fee
The UW Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee grants to eligible students. If you are not eligible for a fee grant from the UW Graduate School, but you participated in a pipeline program designed to prepare students for graduate studies, please contact ipib-admissions@wisc.edu at least two weeks before the application deadline to inquire about the possibility of obtaining a fee waiver from IPiB.
7. TOEFL or IELTS
If applicable, official TOEFL or IELTS scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Scores are sent electronically from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Graduate School at UW–Madison. Our Institution code is 1846, and no department code is required.