Entrance Requirements
Application Deadline for Priority Consideration:
If you are planning to apply to the ES PhD Program for Fall 2013 admission, please submit your materials to the Graduate School Office before the application deadline. The application deadline for priority consideration is February 1. Admissions decisions on completed applications received by this date typically will be sent out by March 1. Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed by the program on an ad hoc basis but the funds available to support students submitting post-deadline applications may be limited by program commitments to the pre-deadline applicants.
Admission to our program is competitive. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
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Performance in coursework: Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree from a supporting discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics, or closely allied discipline) and have performed satisfactorily. The GPA in undergraduate or in previous graduate level coursework should be at least 3.0. Students should enter the Program with knowledge of one of the supporting sciences and having successfully completed biology, organic chemistry, physics, statistics and calculus.
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GRE scores: GRE scores are required. Scores lower than 1000 across the Verbal and Quantitative sections are unlikely to be competitive. In addition, International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the iBT. It is recommended that examinations taken more than 5 years ago be retaken, especially if the scores were near our minimum level.
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An identified fit with a program faculty member. A substantial part of your funding will arise from an individual program faculty member. To ensure student success, we require that students receive a commitment from a program faculty advisor who is willing and able to support you in their laboratory. Applicants should begin this process at or before the time of applying by contacting individual faculty members in your area of interest.
Research and work-related experience: Our most competitive applicants will have independent research experience at either the undergraduate or graduate level, or have a record of environmental science-related work experiences that indicate a high chance of success in PhD-level research. Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required that address your past performance and provide an indication of your chances of success in our PhD program.
Acceptance to the program will be determined by the Admissions Committee (consisting of Program faculty from each participating department). If a student is deficient in one of these areas, but is otherwise found to be acceptable, the Admissions Committee may recommend remedial courses that should be completed during the first year. Determining deficiencies will be dependent on the student's area of focus.
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