Admission

Applying for Admission (All Programs)

The following materials are required for a complete application:

1. Online application form. Application information and the on-line application form for domestic students can be accessed at ECU Graduate School website. Application information and the on-line form for International Students is available.
2. Official transcript from each college or university previously attended.
3. The GRE tests are not required. For applicants who wish to provide scores the ECU GRE code is 5180.
4. Statement of Purpose (= Statement of Intent).
5. Two (MS programs) or three (PhD program) letters of recommendation from individuals in a professionally relevant field who can assess your promise as a graduate student.
6. Non-refundable application fee of $75.
7. TOEFL or IELTS scores if you are a foreign applicant and have received your baccalaureate degree from a university outside the USA where English is not the official language.

NOTE:  Required supplemental application materials (e.g. Statement of Purpose, and Letter of Recommendation forms) can be obtained via the online application site (GradApply), but only after you have submitted your application fee.

Your Statement of Purpose is an important part of the application package because it contains information that may not necessarily be well represented by the other application materials and helps us to determine if your professional interests can be served by our curriculum and our faculty. Your Statement of Purpose should describe (a) why you want to go to graduate school, (b) why you wish to pursue graduate studies at ECU, (c) your research interests, and (d) the experiences and training you have acquired that you feel will help you to successfully pursue your graduate degree.  In addition, each applicant is requested to identify one or more Biology faculty who could potentially serve as a mentor for their thesis research or their capstone project (non-thesis MS Biology). Selection for admission is based on the sum of the individual’s qualifications, and the availability of facilities, research resources, and financial support.

Any materials not submitted online to the Graduate School should be mailed to:

The Graduate School
131 Ragsdale
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858

A note to prospective students:

Investigate the research interests of the faculty to identify individuals you would be interested in having mentor your research.  We encourage you to contact potential MS thesis or doctoral dissertation mentors to learn of research opportunities of their labs. Priority admissions are given to applications submitted by the dates below.  Additionally, admission and assistantships will be offered on rolling basis.

Biology Faculty Directory

Orientation

Please be aware that there is required orientation and training sessions that occurs typically the week before classes begin.  Please check with the Graduate Office to inquire for specific dates.  It is the graduate student’s responsibility to make sure you plan to be in town for this required orientation and training.

Additional Admissions Information (All Programs)

1. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in Biology or a related field from an accredited college or university within the country, or the equivalent from a foreign university to be considered for admission.
2. GPA of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) for Master’s Programs, or 3.0 for doctoral programs.
3. The TOEFL or IELTS scores score requirements will comply with ECU graduate school requirements.

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