Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences Admissions

Dec
01
Priority Deadline
Jan
01
Final Deadline
Group photo of IBMS students

Applications to the IBMS Graduate Program are reviewed and evaluated by the IBMS Admissions Committee. Recommendations for admission are submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Admission Requirements

The decision to admit a candidate is based on several criteria:

  1. Grade Point Average (GPA):
    • Applicants to the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) Graduate Program must have, or be in the process of completing, a bachelor's degree with a final Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above. The average GPA of students entering the IBMS Graduate Program over the last 3 years was 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be provided, indicating grades and GPAs. International transcripts must be appropriately translated by an accredited agency such as the WES student version of the iGPA, which generates an overall GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Course Requirements:
    • Although there are no specific course requirements for admission into the IBMS Graduate Program, past experience has shown that undergraduates entering our interdisciplinary program benefit from having completed upper-level courses in biological sciences, biochemistry, genetics, and cell or molecular biology. In addition, our most successful applicants have shown evidence of previous research experience.
  3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE): 
    • GRE scores are not required for applicants applying to the IBMS Graduate Program.
  4. Personal Statement: 
    • The applicant must submit two essays:
    1. Essay Question 1 
      • Describe your undergraduate summer, clinical, industrial research and/or any teaching experiences and indicate how these experiences sparked your passion for research? How will obtaining a graduate degree in the biomedical sciences help you achieve your long-term career goals?
    2.  Essay Question 2
      • Describe what you are passionate about and how this has led to an interest in our graduate program. Identify up to 3 of our faculty members in whose research you are particularly interested, and briefly tell us why.
  5. Interviews:
    • Top domestic candidates are invited for on-campus interviews. Interviews of applicants are conducted in January/February. Phone and Skype interviews are conducted for international applicants (also in January/February).
  6. Letters of Recommendation:
    • Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters should be from individuals who have information regarding academic, research, and personal accomplishments of the applicant that are predictive of success in graduate school. The most valuable letters of recommendation are from individuals who can provide insights that expand upon and enhance information found in official academic documents.
  7. TOEFL/ IELTS/ Duolingo: 
    • International students are required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS), or Duolingo English proficency test. The minimum required score for the TOEFL is 84 for iBT. The minimum score for the academic version of the IELTS test is 7.0. The minimum Duolingo score is 115. Scores for the tests must have been taken within two years of applying for admission. International students who have completed formal training in a U.S. institution may request a waiver for this requirement.
  8. Background Checks: 
    • UT Health San Antonio requires that applicants to all graduate programs undergo security and criminal background checks prior to making an official offer of admission.

Application and Fee

Our online application is free for all applicants.

Instructions for Submitting an Application:

  1. Apply through the online application by going to this website and creating an account.  
  2. Select the IBMS Ph.D. program, and then two thematic areas/disciplines of interest in the IBMS Ph.D. program in rank order. These choices are not binding and will only be used for assignment of your application for review.
  3. Provide the names of up to three faculty members whose research is of particular interest to you.
  4. As you complete the Graduate School application, you will have the opportunity to electronically send invitations to professors/mentors to submit letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that you use the online system. If you are unable to use this system, you should contact Donna Navarro (navarrod3@uthscsa.edu) immediately for further instructions.
  5. Upload an unofficial electronic transcript directly into the online application by the appropriate deadline. You only need to upload transcripts from post-secondary institutions that will result in a degree. If accepted with the intent to matriculate into the program, you are required to submit an official transcript for any degrees earned or in progress to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (not to the IBMS).

NOTE:  All supporting materials should be sent to the Registrar’s Office below. Any application materials sent to the department office will not be reviewed. Please indicate the Mail Code MSC 7702.

UT Health San Antonio
Registrar’s Office-Graduate Admissions
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
MSC 7702
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
USA

Program Information

Important Dates

Application Submission Site Opens: September 1     
Application Reviews Begin: November 15
Priority Submission Deadline: December 1
Interviews: January and February
Absolute Final Submission Deadline: January 1
Accepted Letters Mailed: Rolling until final deadline

Next steps for accepted applicants: Applicants who have been accepted should click this link for their next steps.