Application Instructions

To complete your application to a program in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), you must provide us with the materials described below. You should keep a copy of all materials you submit to us, since we cannot return or copy any part of your application. We also cannot return original transcripts or any other supporting documents after we receive them.

General Application Instructions

 Before you complete the application, you should consult the GMS website for current general GMS policies and those of the various departments and programs. Please DO NOT submit test scores, transcripts or any other supporting documents before completing and submitting the Online Application. Any documents submitted prior to an application will not be processed. Applications will not be reviewed unless all parts of the application are submitted.

Application Fee

Include with your application to Boston University a nonrefundable application fee of $75.00 payable online by credit card (Master Card, Visa, or Discover). Your application will not be considered without payment of the application fee.

You are allowed to apply for up to two programs in GMS. Each application must include separate letters of recommendation and personal statements.

Applicants who are re-applying:

All applicants who are reapplying to a GMS program must submit a new application. If you would like to use the credentials from the previous application (i.e.  transcripts, letters of recommendation,  and test scores), then you must submit  the Re-Applicant Form available through following link (http://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/gateway/prospective/re-applicant-form/).  You will be required to submit new credentials if the Re-Applicant Form is not submitted.

Application Deadlines (Fall 2012)

Ph.D. Programs
Program	Fall Admissions
Anatomy & Neurobiology	January 1st
Behavioral Neuroscience	January 1st
Biomedical Neuroscience	January 1st
Computational Neuroscience	December 15th
Graduate Program for Neuroscience	December 15th
Oral Biology	January 1st
Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics	January 1st
Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) –  Interdisciplinary Entry Program for the following disciplines: Biochemistry Biophysics Genetics & Genomics Immunology Nutrition & Metabolism Microbiology Molecular Medicine Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Physiology	December 17th

 

M.A. Programs
Program	Fall Admissions	Spring Admissions
Anatomy & Neurobiology	May 1st	October 15th
Bioimaging	August 1st	October 15th
Clinical Investigation	March 31st	October 15th
Medical Sciences (Med Sci)	Rolling Admissions	N/A
Oral Health Track/Med Sci	May 15th	N/A
Medical Anthropology & Cross-Cultural Practice	June 30th	October 15th
Nutrition & Metabolism	Rolling Admissions	October 15th
Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Med	Rolling Admissions	October 15th
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine	May 1st	N/A
Physiology	May 1st	N/A

 

M.S. Programs
Program	Fall Admissions	Spring Admissions
Biomedical Forensic Sciences	July 31st	N/A
Forensic Anthropology	June 30th	N/A
Genetic Counseling	January 1st	N/A
Healthcare Emergency Management	August 1st	October 15th

 

Credentials Required

• A completed online application for admission

• Personal statement – Applicants to every degree program offered by GMS are required to submit a Personal Statement. This statement must describe your qualifications and the objectives of your intended educational program at GMS, as well as account for time that has elapsed between formal studies. Report any research activities, publications, and independent studies, as well as memberships in academic, professional, or honorary societies.

• Letters of recommendation - A minimum of two to three letters of recommendation are required for all degree programs from faculty members in your proposed field of study who are familiar with your work and the American system of higher education. The Recommendation for Admission Form, a (paper) copy, can be used ONLY if your recommender is unable to submit a recommendation electronically. Be sure to complete the top portion of the form first, with your signature, before sending the recommendation form to your evaluator. The completed recommendation should be sent in a sealed envelope, with the evaluator’s signature across the seal, and mailed directly to GMS.

• Official transcript(s) - Applicants to every degree program offered by GMS are required to submit an official transcript of each college or university attended. To expedite the application review process, some programs may allow submission of unofficial transcripts. However, all matriculating applicants must submit official transcripts. A college senior should submit an official transcript of work completed in the first semester of the senior year as soon as it is available. Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the U.S. must provide certified copies and certified English translations of transcripts or records of all previous post-secondary education. Photocopies or faxes of these documents are not acceptable.
• Official results of the General Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and/or other appropriate standardized tests.

GRE: Applicants to most degree programs offered by GMS are required to submit official results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), as administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The ETS Institution Code for GMS is 3251. For more information on the GRE, please visit the ETS website.

TOEFL: Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), are required of all applicants whose native language in not English. The ETS Institution Code for GMS is 3251. The minimum score requirement is 213 (computer-based test), or 550 (paper-based test). For the internet-based test, the scores on the individual sections should be, at minimum, the following: Reading 21; Listening 18; Speaking 23; Writing 22. For more information please visit the TOEFL website.

MCAT: The Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT) may be substituted for the GRE with prior approval from the department/program. For the MA in Medical Sciences Program, the average standardized test scores for acceptance are: 25-30 for the verbal and sciences tests, and O for the writing sample.

DAT: Official results of the Dental Admissions Test are required for applicants applying to the Medical Sciences, Oral Health Sciences Curriculum track only.

• International Student Data Form (for International Students only) – International applicants who are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States must complete all information in the International Applicant Coversheet section of the online application. As a requirement of the U.S. Government, all international applicants must submit documentation of all sources of financial support for a minimum of one year according to the Estimate of Expenses for their studies at Boston University. A Financial Sponsorship Certification for International Students should also be submitted to the GMS Admission Office. You can find the link to these forms on the ISSO website. If you are currently in the United States, it is essential to include a photocopy of your current visa.

Important Notices

Applicants should note that all materials submitted in support of an application become the sole property of Boston University, and neither the originals nor copies will be provided to the applicant for other uses.

Applicants who are admitted to and enroll in a degree program are required to provide official documentation of the names and dates of award of all previous academic degrees.

All documents should be mailed to the GMS office at:
Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
Boston University School of Medicine
Attn: GMS Admissions
72 East Concord Street, L-317
Boston, MA 02118

Non-Degree (“Special Student”)

Some of the programs offer admission as a non-degree student. Please consult the GMS website for these programs. Persons with an accredited Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent who do not wish to enter a degree program may apply to GMS as a special student with non-degree status. Non-Degree applicants must submit the nonrefundable application fee of $75 with the Application for Admission and a statement specifying your objectives in pursuing non-degree study. Non-Degree applicants are required to submit an official transcript of the most recent studies leading to an awarded degree. Test score results or letters are NOT required. Students previously enrolled as a non-degree who are interested in a change of status to degree should refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures on our website. Non-Degree applicants are not eligible for University sources of financial aid, or any financial aid that requires matriculation into a degree program.

Deferral Requests

GMS offers one-year deferred admission for those admitted applicants who cannot matriculate for the Fall or Spring semesters they have applied for. This request must be made in writing to:

Admissions Office
Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
72 East Concord Street, Room, L-317
Boston, Massachusetts, 02118-2394

or email Natasha Hall. A deferral will be granted case by case, and securing an admission for the following year may require re-review of the application.

Financial Aid Information

For details of the types of financial aid available, please consult the GMS website on financial assistance.

Please refer to the website of the program/department of interest for the requirements of the completion of the Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts, or Master of Science degree.

If you need additional information, please call (617) 638-5255.