Application Information

The University of Rochester has a distinguished tradition of excellence in graduate training in Neuroscience. Information and application materials are available through the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) Graduate Applications Page

The deadline for receipt of all materials for Fall 2008 has passed. The deadline for preliminary (international) applications for Fall 2009 will be 1 December 2008; for domestic applications, 1 January 2009.

Below are some frequently asked questions. Please read this page before completing your application.

1. What are your minimum GRE and TOEFL/IBT scores?
2. What is the UR’s GRE and TOEFL code?
3. Is the subject GRE required?
4. How important is research experience?
5. When is the application deadline?
6. If admitted, what kind of financial aid can I expect?
7. Can I submit my letters of recommendation on-line?
8. Do I have to meet with Faculty to be admitted?
9. How many people apply to your programme each year? How many are admitted?
10. What is the application fee?
11. Where do I send the completed application?
12. What if my question isn’t answered here?

Specific questions for International Students:

1. How many international students are admitted each year?
2. How do I know whether I have to fill out a preliminary application?
3. Do you interview international students? If so, by phone or in person?
4. Do you accept scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?
5. Is financial aid available for international students?

1. What are your minimum GRE and TOEFL/IBT scores?

   There are no minimum scores for the GRE or TOEFL tests. However, test scores, GPA, research experience, and letters of recommendation are all considered during the admissions process.

2. What is the UR’s GRE and TOEFL code?

   The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry code number for GRE and TOEFL report is 2948.

3. Is the subject GRE required?

   No, there is no subject GRE required for admission.

4. How important is research experience?

   Research experience in neuroscience or a related field is an important factor in evaluating applicants. It is not required but is strongly recommended.

5. When is the application deadline?

   The application deadline is 1 January. The deadline for the international student preliminary application (required only for those without a valid United States Social Security Number) is 1 December.

6. If admitted, what kind of financial aid can I expect?

   All Ph.D. candidates are awarded Fellowships that provide a stipend ($25,000USD for the 2008-2009 year), full tuition, and individual health insurance coverage as long as they are making satisfactory progress toward their degree and are in compliance with University and Program academic requirements. Stipends are competitive with those of other basic and biomedical graduate programs in the United States. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain individual training fellowships from the NIH to support their thesis research. There is a $2,000 USD stipend increase reward for students who win an individual award.

7. May I submit my letters of recommendation on-line?

   Please e-mail Graduate Amissions for this information and all questions about the application or general admissions process.

8. Do I have to meet with Faculty to be admitted?

   Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee and a subset of applicants is invited to the University of Rochester for interviews with faculty and students in the NSC program. International students outside the US are interviewed via phone or through e-mail contact.

9. How many people apply to your program each year? How many are admitted?

   40-60 applications are reviewed each year. Entering class sizes vary but in recent years range from 4-10.

10. What is the application fee?

    There is no application fee.

11. Where do I send the completed application?

    Send the completed application materials at one time to:
    
    Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Education
    School of Medicine and Dentistry
    University of Rochester
    601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 316A
    Rochester, NY 14642
    

12. What if my question isn’t answered here?

    If you have Neuroscience-specific questions, contact Ania Dworzanski, the Neuroscience Graduate Coordinator. If the question is about the application or the admissions process, please read the instructions page and direct further questions to The Admissions Office.

1. How many international students are admitted each year?

   The number of international students in each class varies widely from year to year; however, the number usually ranges between 1 and 4.

2. How do I know whether I have to fill out a preliminary application?

   If you do not have a valid US Social Security Number, you need to fill out the preliminary application. Otherwise you may go straight to the full application. Please read the instructions page before filling out the application.

3. Do you interview international students? If so, by phone or in person?

   Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee and a subset of applicants is invited to the University of Rochester for interviews with faculty and students in the NSC program. International students outside the US are interviewed via phone or through e-mail contact.

4. Do you accept scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?

   At this time, we do not accept scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). International applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores with their preliminary applications.

5. Is financial aid available for international students?

   All Ph.D. candidates are awarded Fellowships that provide a stipend ($25,000 USD for the 2008-2009 year), full tuition, and individual health insurance coverage as long as they are making satisfactory progress toward their degree and are in compliance with University and Program academic requirements. Stipends are competitive with those of other basic and biomedical graduate programs in the United States. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain individual training fellowships from the NIH to support their thesis research. There is a $2,000 USD stipend increase reward for students who win an individual award.