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FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Texas A&M Medical Science Graduate Program provides cutting-edge research training through our Ph.D. in Medical Science, administered in cooperation with the School of Medicine. This program offers a flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum that allow students to have a highly personalized and individually tailored training program. Students select from campuses with distinct research strengths in Bryan/College Station and Houston. 

We are confident you will find that the Texas A&M Medical Science Graduate Program will provide a broad spectrum of exciting research opportunities and prepare you for a successful career upon graduation.

Students applying to a graduate program should have a solid undergraduate background in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, and/or molecular biology; a strong computer science background may also be acceptable for bioinformatics-focused applicants. Three strong letters of recommendation indicating academic excellence, personal maturity, exceptional motivation, and interest in the experimental sciences are essential to the application.


APPLICATION PROCESS

The Medical Sciences Graduate Program administered through the School of Medicine is focused primarily on training Ph.D. students.

An applicant's file must be complete (application, official transcripts, test scores, fee, and three letters of recommendation) before the admissions committee will review it.  A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university is required.

The following items are required for a complete official application:
      
  • Completed application in GraduateCAS
  • Create a resume or curriculum vitae
  • Write a narrative describing your research background, and a Statement of Purpose that addresses your reasons for pursuing a graduate education in your field of interest, your background and your long term goals.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation (you will receive login information for AIS after you complete your application in GraduateCAS.)
  • Official transcript from all institutions of higher education attended
  • International students- Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IFELTS test from within the last two years from applicants whose native language is not English.  Exception: applicants that completed all four years of a baccalaureate degree in the United States.
  • Pay application fees.
  • Apply to the correct program. Please look for Texas A&M University in College Station, College of Medicine Medical Science Program (not TAMU HSC).
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We encourage students to submit their applications as early as possible. All applications that are submitted by January 1, 2024 will be reviewed. After January 1, we cannot guarantee your application will be reviewed as we will start reviewing applications after the due date. Can you make an assessment about my admission based on material submitted via e-mail? We do not make assessments based on material we receive via email, nor can we communicate a program decision via e-mail. The IBT Graduate Program Committee reviews only completed applications submitted by deadlines.
Applications for admission are evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s undergraduate or graduate record (coursework, laboratory experience, and grades), letters of recommendation, personal statement, scientific publications (if any), and (if applicable) performance on the TOEFL/IFELTS test. Each application is reviewed on an individual basis.
Yes! Applicants whose native language is not English should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language unless they completed all four years of a baccalaureate degree in the United States.
The GRE scores (general or subject) are not required to apply to our program.
Yes, we need an official transcript from each of the senior-level post-secondary institutions attended. An official statement of the award of the degree or diploma is required for each degree completed. The registrar, controller of examinations or president of the university issuing the document must sign transcripts from a university outside the United States. Official records are to be in the language of instruction, accompanied by an official translation in English, if necessary. Translations sent directly from the institution attended or from a recognized translator are considered official. Photocopies or other duplications of a transcript, such as notarized copies and faxes are not considered official.
No. There are no age restrictions.
No. However, for international applicants priority is given to applicants that hold a Master degree or equivalent research experience that is documented by publications.
Typically no. Because of the structure of our first-year graduate curriculum, the Medical Science Graduate Program only accepts applications in the fall semester. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis.
Typically, we accept 4 to 6 students into the program each year with stipend support.
We receive 20-40 applications in a typical year for the Houston campus.
No. Applications do not transfer and applicants must re-apply.
Graduate students who are admitted to the Medical Science Program are supported by the program for the first year. By the end of the first school year, it is expected that graduate students will have identified a research laboratory to join and the PI will then take over the student’s stipend, tuition, and fees. Compensation for the graduate program is $30,000 per year, plus payment for tuition and fees. This support includes a stipend plus medical insurance benefits and eligibility for in-state tuition. There is usually no need for additional financial assistance under normal circumstances.
In exceptional circumstances, some students find it necessary to apply for additional financial aid (e.g. a short-term loan). Information on financial aid is available at https://financialaid.tamu.edu/.
Our faculty enjoy hearing from students interested in their research. A full listing of faculty in the Medical Science program can be found here: Our Faculty
Yes. As a branch campus of Texas A&M University, the Ph.D. program in Medical Science is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and is dependent on continued accreditation of TAMU. More accreditation information can be found on the TAMU Accreditation website. The SACSCOC can be contacted per below: 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, GA 30033 Phone: 404-679-4500 on the web: www.sascoc.org
If you have any questions that were not answered above, please contact the IBT Graduate Program Assistant Director of Student Affairs:
  • Kristen Neill, Ed.D.
  • kristen.neill@tamu.edu
  • Phone: 713.677.7612