MS: Frequently Asked Questions

A: We offer rolling admissions for the master’s degree program, and strongly recommend that applicants submit applications and supporting materials ASAP. The Fall 2024 application deadline is August 1, 2024, for international applicants, and August 15, 2024, for domestic applicants. The Spring 2025 application deadline is November 14, 2024 for international applicants and December 5 , 2024 for domestic applicants.

A: We do not have a minimum GPA to be considered for admission. We look at the applicant’s whole packet, including letters of recommendation, your personal statement, and research experience. However, your undergraduate grades do carry important weight.

A: We accept TOEFL (internet and paper-based tests), IELTS, and Duolingo scores. For the internet-based version of the TOEFL test, we generally look for a total score of about 95 or higher. A score of about 585 or higher is required on the paper-based test. The TOEFL Essentials test is not accepted by Boston University. The IELTS exam may be substituted for the TOEFL and a score of approximate 7.0 is generally needed for this test. The Duolingo test may be accepted as evidence of English proficiency if you are not able to take the TOEFL or IELTS. No English language exam is needed if you obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States or in another country where all of your courses were taught in English.

A:  You should request three letters of recommendation, but you may request a fourth.

A: The best recommendations are those from faculty with whom you have had experience in both didactic coursework, laboratory or other research settings. Ideally, these should be the individuals who have seen your work in areas most closely related to your proposed graduate studies.

A: The institution code is 3087. Our program will accept scores as old as 5 years.

A:Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis for the master’s program. You may inquire about the status of your application by contacting the program administrator (marikagr@bu.edu) or Dr. Moore (llmoore@bu.edu).

A:

There are currently approximately 20 students in the program at different stages in their studies. Only about 7-10 new master’s students are admitted each year.

A:We require the basic pre-med courses, but the specifics are as follows:

• Biology (preferably 2 semesters)
• Chemistry (preferably 2 semesters)
• Organic chemistry (at least one semester)
• Biochemistry (preferred)
• Other courses such as physiology, cell biology, and genetics are desirable, but not required.

A:Most students take 1.5 to 2 years to complete the program. Most of the coursework is completed in year one on a full-time basis. In year two, students spend most of their time in a lab doing their thesis research. During the second year, you only pay for the specific number of credits that you take (i.e., generally 2 research credits per semester). Students must be registered for a total of 4 semesters. This can be done in different ways:

• fall and spring of year 1 plus fall and spring of year 2 (21 months)
• fall and spring of year 1 plus summer I and summer II; (12 months)
• fall and spring of year 1, summer II of year 1, fall of year 2 (16 months)

Depending on your schedule and your research, the shortest time to completion of your degree would be 12 months.

A: There is generally no on-campus housing available at this time. To assist you with this and other options explore The Boston University Housing Resources department.

A: Some scholarships are available to master’s students to assist with the cost of tuition. The Financial Aid Office can assist with loan applications. To see if you may be eligible for loan funding and what the possibilities may be, you may call them at 617-638-5216.

A:Our master’s students work in a wide range of academic and industry settings. Our graduates often go on to PhD programs, medical and dental school studies and other academic programs. They can be found working in clinical and basic research laboratories including working as program directors for clinical and epidemiologic research projects and lab managers.

A: This program does not offer the didactic courses or internships that are required for attaining the RD credential.

A:Most class sizes range from 6 to 30 students. A few basic science courses may be much larger.

A: Requests for transfer credit would be made to the program’s curriculum committee after you have entered the master’s program. They may decide to accept the course(s) for transfer credit as elective credit or they may waive an academic requirement.

A: We offer admission for both Fall (classes start in September) and Spring (classes start in January) terms. Since the academic calendar year starts in the fall, you will receive additional guidance in selecting your courses that takes into account that you started at another time.

A: Yes, unless you are an international student. (International students are required to be registered full time in the first 2 semesters of graduate school.)

A: Courses may be taken with the permission of the director of the program and the instructor of the course. Non-degree students can take a maximum of 8 credits.