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Graduate School Admission Requirements

How to apply

Deadline: Feb. 15 for the fall admission | July 15 for spring admission.

1. Complete the University application form, Office of Admissions, (269) 387-2000
• International applicants: apply through the Office of International Student Services, then continue with Step 2.
2. Complete the application for the Department of Biological Sciences, (269) 387-5624: Application in Microsoft Word | Online Application
3. Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended indicating that the applicant has:
   • Earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0
   • Taken appropriate courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics

   Institutions that you previously attended should send your transcript(s) to:

Office of Admissions and Orientation
Graduate Division
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo Michigan 49008-5211 USA

Hand carried or student copies cannot be accepted. Official transcripts from all previous institutions must be received before your application can be considered for admission.


4. Official scores for the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examination (submit to the WMU Office of Admission). WMU institution code is 1902 and department code is 0299. Biology subject GRE scores are recommended, but not required, for Ph.D. applicants.
   
5. Obtain three letters of recommendation.
6. Create a cover letter highlighting your most important accomplishments to date and indicating how graduate work at WMU will further your career goals.
7. Send the application for the Department of Biological Sciences and items 5 and 6 to:

   Graduate Admission Committee
   Department of Biological Sciences
   Western Michigan University
   1903 W Michigan Avenue
   Kalamazoo MI 49008-5410 USA
   

   or drop off at 3425 Wood Hall.

Although not required for admission, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty to discuss similar research interests.

Students with academic deficiencies may be provisionally admitted and required to address their deficiencies during the first year in the graduate program.

All completed applications will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee, composed of the Graduate Advisor and three representatives of the Biological Sciences faculty. Qualified applicants will be interviewed by the Committee

It is the policy and commitment of Western Michigan University not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, handicap or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other pertinent state and federal regulations.

Questions?

Questions regarding admissions and selection processes please contact:
Dr. Christine Byrd-Jacobs, Graduate Advisor
Phone: (269) 387-5843
Fax: (269) 387-5609
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