How to Apply

The Division of Graduate Medical Sciences at BU School of Medicine maintains a robust annual admissions cycle. Applicants who have completed all requirements for a baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university are invited to apply for admission into one (or up to two) of our 40 graduate programs.

The graduate application is now open for the 2018 academic year and can be accessed by following the instructions below.

To apply, you will need to create an account in the Boston University Centralized Application System (BU-GMS CAS) and complete all personal, academic and supporting document sections. You will be able to select your graduate program(s) of choice within GMS, and may be prompted to submit additional materials that are related to your program of interest. Please note: there is a separate process for the Physician Assistant Program. Please see the PA website and apply for the PA program through CASPA. 

If you are seeking financial aid, we advise you to complete the optional SSN section of your application to expedite the process. Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

The application fee is $95. You can review your program status or pay for your program(s) by selecting the “Manage My Programs” tab when logged into BU-GMS CAS.  You will also receive email updates as you move through the process regarding submission of materials,  recommendation letters, application status and decisions.

Once all of the required materials are received, your application will be thoroughly reviewed by the individual program, or a faculty committee, who will make a final recommendation to the GMS Admissions Office. Once this is completed, we will notify you of the final decision by mail and/or email. Due to privacy regulations we cannot give decisions over the phone.

While many of our programs offer rolling admissions, be sure to review our final application deadlines, in addition to application instructions and frequently asked questions.

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International students are required to submit additional documents. You will be prompted to complete a separate section of materials once you have submitted your application. Please keep in mind that processing international documents may take time, so it is suggested that if you are applying for spring admission, that you submit your application no later than October 15th, and for fall admission, submit your application no later than June 1st to be considered. Please note:

  • Submitted transcript and letters of recommendations must be in English. A WES evaluation is not required.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS results must be submitted for applicants whose native language is not English. The minimum score range requirement for TOEFL is 90-100, with a minimum of 20 in each section.
  • See ISSO Website for all forms.
  • The financial documentation for international PhD applicants is NOT required.

To take a course as a non-degree student, please use the following process. The non-degree application is for an individual with an accredited bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent who do not wish to enter a degree program but wish to take a course(s). Except under unusual circumstances, non-degree students may transfer no more than 8 credits for a master’s degree program or 16 credits for a PhD degree program. In order to transfer credits toward a degree, course grades received must be a “B” or higher.

  • Complete the non-degree application form.
  • Complete the Add/Drop Form and have it signed by the course instructor.
  • An official transcript for every undergraduate institution from which you have taken course work for credits.
  • Email millie@bu.edu or drop off the form to the GMS Registrar, Millie Agosto in the Student Services Office, L-309

Please see the tuition page for up-to-date costs per credit. Non-degree applicants are not eligible for University sources of financial aid or aid that requires matriculation in a degree program.

It is essential that all students enrolled in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (“GMS”) at the Boston University School of Medicine have a predictably high level of competence across the range of knowledge, critical judgement and technical skills generally expected of scientists and health-related professionals. These skills encompass academic and non-academic technical standards essential to all GMS and Boston University educational programs. Awarding a GMS degree or certificate implies that the recipient has demonstrated a foundation of knowledge in his or her field and the ability to independently apply and communicate that knowledge.

All students are expected to carry out the tasks, both intellectual and physical, of the foundational science, laboratory and/or clinical curricula either without accommodation(s) or with those accommodation(s) that are reasonable in the range of settings and circumstances in which the educational program is based.

The following technical standards have been formally adopted by the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences at the Boston University School of Medicine. In addition, some GMS programs may have more specific technical standards. A student enrolled in a GMS degree or certificate program must have sufficient abilities and skills relevant to her or his field of study in the areas of observation; communication; sensory and motor coordination and function; intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; and behavioral and social attributes, as described below. The use of a human intermediary may be permitted provided that the student’s judgment will not be influenced by someone else’s power of selection and observation.

Observation

Students must be able to observe, participate in, and conduct experiments in the basic sciences or clinical sciences within the laboratory and instructional setting, as required by the program.

Communication

Students must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in both oral and written English, either independently or through the use of a human intermediary. If a student uses an intermediary, the intermediary is permitted to function only as an information conduit and may not serve in an integrative or evaluative role.

Students must be able to communicate experimental or clinical findings as required by the program with faculty, peers, or patients and families. This communication may also be in the context of presentations to the scientific community, professional journals, with laboratory personnel, or as a member of a clinical team.

Students must possess communication skills at a level sufficient to accomplish, in a timely manner, all administrative requirements and to meet the performance expectations of the faculty in all areas of the curriculum.

Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function

Students must possess motor and sensory capacity to perform activities required for the chosen discipline. Depending on the program, such actions may require coordination of gross and fine movements and equilibrium. Students may be required to perform such actions rapidly and under challenging circumstances. For example, students must be able to manipulate the equipment, instruments, apparatus or tools required to collect and interpret data appropriate to the area of study, practice or research.

Intellectual-conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, hypothesize, and synthesize ideas. It is also essential that students are able to absorb and process information from faculty, peers, patients, supervisors, and/or from the scientific literature, as components of problem solving and critical thinking. Students must be able to acquire information from experiences and demonstrations conveyed through coursework, lecture, group seminar, small group activities and other.

When appropriate to the field of study, students must have the ability to follow universal precautions against contamination and cross-contamination with infectious agents, toxins, chemicals and/or other physical hazards. Students must be able to work in a manner that is safe for themselves and others, and respond appropriately to emergencies and urgent situations.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Students must have the emotional and mental health required to demonstrate maturity, respect, and tolerance in their professional relationships under all circumstances. Students must have the ability to understand and comply with ethical standards for the conduct of research. They must be able to use their intellectual capacity, to exercise sound judgment, and to complete all responsibilities in a timely and professional manner. They must be able to demonstrate emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to changing environments.

Download the GMS Technical Standards as a PDF

All Applicants must submit:

  • An unofficial, English transcript of each college or university attended. This should be uploaded to complete your application  in the section “Supporting Information > Documents.”  If you have multiple unofficial transcripts from the same college or university, combine them into one upload.
    • GMS does not require an official transcript (or WES evaluation) unless you are admitted, but to expedite the admissions process applicants can complete the transcript request form within the application to request Official Transcripts be sent directly to our transcript department address below. We do not accept e-transcripts from third parties.
    • Upon matriculation into the program, you must submit an official, final transcript.
    • Please Have Official Transcripts Sent to:
      Division of Graduate Medical Sciences: ATTN Teresa Garrison
      Boston University School of Medicine
      72 East Concord St., L-317
      Boston, MA 02118
  • Three letters of recommendation from faculty members, research advisors – or similar – in your proposed field. The software does not accept letter packets. There is a section to provide the recommender’s name, email, personal note of request and deadline for submission which will be electronically sent to him/her with further instructions. No paper letters accepted. You can submit your application with pending letter submissions.
  • A Personal Statement, minimum 200 words, that describes your qualifications and the objectives of your intended educational program.
  • CV/Resume. Please note that the “Experiences” section is optional, since it may be redundant to your resume.
  • Official results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
    • Use BU Institution Code: 3087
    • For Medical Sciences applicants, the MCAT may be substituted for the GRE
    • For Oral Health Sciences applicants, the DAT is required (not the GRE)

Learn more about tuition and fees, in addition to financial aid opportunities at GMS.

Learn more about the BMC Employee Tuition Discount.

For admissions requirements, deadlines and policies:
Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
Boston University School of Medicine
Phone: 617-638-5255
Fax: (617) 638-5740

For application technical issues:
gms-support.bu@liaisoncas.com
Phone: 857-304-2005

To speak with a program representative, please contact him or her directly via email. Alternatively, fill out the form on the righthand sidebar to receive a program brochure.

Applications open September 1, 2017. Please refer to our detailed instructions on how to navigate the new BU Centralized Application System. Thank you for your interest in our graduate programs!

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