Graduate Studies

How to Apply

Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year, however students are strongly encouraged to submit completed applications prior to December 11 , 2007. The application process involves sending materials to both the Graduate School and to Graduate Admissions Committee of the Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Graduate Program (BMMB) program.

1) Graduate School On-line application:

• Follow the link below for the Graduate School On-Line application. At this page you will need to Create an Account to proceed. Once you have created an account and entered the application system, please read all of the instructions for the on-line application before beginning (tip: when filling out the on-line application do not use your browser's back or forward buttons to move between pages).
  • On-line Application

Note: The Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Graduate Program is located on the main campus of Penn State in University Park, PA and is part of the Eberly College of Science.

• A non-refundable application fee of $45 U.S. is required. You may pay this fee by credit card at the time that you submit your application. Applications without fees cannot be processed.
  • If you do NOT choose to pay the application fee online via credit card when you submit your application, the application fee of $45 should be mailed to the Graduate School along with an application fee form. A link to this form is found the online application instructions page after logging into the application website as well. Mail payment and the completed form to: Graduate Enrollment Services, The Pennsylvania State University, 114 Kern Building, University Park, PA 16802

  Paper mail application fee options include:

  • Credit card
  • Check drawn on a United States bank (payable to The Pennsylvania State University).
  • Money order drawn on a United States bank
  • DO NOT SEND CASH.

2) Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Graduate Program Application:

The following materials are required for application to the BMMB graduate program, in addition to the Graduate School On-line Application. Please send these documents directly to the Graduate Admissions Committee, The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 108 Althouse Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802-6004:

• A Statement of Purpose not to exceed 3 pages in length.
• Application for Visa Document (International Applicants Only)  
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing). Subject scores, if available (see FAQ section)
• TOEFL scores (International Applicants Only)
• Three letters of recommendation.  All recommendation letters must be done on official stationery/letterhead . (There are no special forms.)
• Two official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended, both undergraduate and graduate. A Transcript Request Form can be found at this link.
  • Notarized copies are not sufficient.
  • International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English.

Application review:

Applications to the program are reviewed by the BMMB Graduate Admissions committee. All materials must be received before the application can be evaluated. Following review of the applications, prospective students will be contacted about scheduling a personal interview at Penn State (or by telephone for overseas applicants). Final decisions will be made following the interview process.

You may check the status of your application at Student Status Application.