Admissions Requirements

The VAI graduate program is intended for students seeking a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology that prepares them for leadership positions in biomedical research. VAI Graduate School is interested in candidates who possess the following:

General:

• Excellent academic preparation and performance
• High competence in skills important to scientific work (e.g., writing and critical thinking)
• Deep interest in and passion for understanding the mysteries of life and disease
• Commitment to the improvement of health
• Good character

Specific:

• Bachelor of Arts or Science (B.A. or B.S.) degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment. Typical preparation will include courses in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics and mathematics. Applicants with other academic backgrounds may be considered if they perform well on the GREs and give appropriate evidence of excellent training, qualifications and motivation.
• Research experience will be an important criterion in admission decisions. This could include undergraduate research internships, summer research programs, masters thesis research or medical research clerkships. Through such experiences, the applicants can demonstrate that they know what doing research is about, that they have a passion for research careers, and that they have exceptional talent and aptitude for research.

The program is open to all applicants irrespective of race, gender, ethnic or national origin, religion or age. Individuals from demographic sectors that are underrepresented among professional scientists are especially encouraged to apply. Because of visa rules, for our initial year we will be able to accept applications only from domestic students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents). We expect to encourage international applications in future years.