Admission Requirements

Successful applicants should have a strong background of undergraduate courses in basics physical sciences, including courses in general microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or cell biology, plus one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, basic university mathematics and statistics, and laboratory skills.

Important Deadlines

Admission

In order to be considered for admission to a graduate program, the following information must be submitted and on file in the UCF College of Graduate Studies by the stated application deadline. Submitted documents become part of UCF’s files and will not be returned to or copied for the applicant. All application requirements, aside from transcripts and test scores, must be submitted together with the online application. Transcripts and test scores must be official.

Application Must Include

• Official Transcript – One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended must be submitted by the stated application deadline. You should request transcripts from all previously attended schools.
  • All transcripts must be official and delivered in a sealed envelope by the registrar of the former institution and sent directly to the UCF College of Graduate Studies, P.O. Box 160112, Millican Hall 230, Orlando, FL 32816-0112. 
  • For UCF students applying to UCF graduate programs: You do not need to request transcripts of your UCF course work. The UCF College of Graduate Studies will request those transcripts automatically.
• GPA requirement standard – The university minimum for graduate admission is a GPA of 3.0 or more (on a 4.0 maximum) in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student OR while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student (normally based on the last sixty attempted semester hours). Please note: the GPA requirement for MS Biomedical Sciences – Integrated Medical Sciences track is 3.2.
• Official TOEFL Score– Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores, if applicable. TOEFL scores are required when an applicant is from a country where English is not the official language or when an applicant’s bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution. A minimum computer-based score of 220 or iBT of 80 (or equivalent on the paper test) is required, unless otherwise specified by the program.
  • Test scores must be sent directly to UCF by the appropriate testing agency to UCF College of Graduate Studies (institution code 5233 for TOEFL)
  • Website: www.ets.org or www.toefl.org
• Letters of Recommendation – Minimum of three strong letters of recommendation required. Letters should attest to your academic skills and your potential to excel as a graduate student. It is a good idea to request recommendation letters from faculty, supervisors, and/or mentors who are familiar with your academic achievement and potential.
• Personal Statement – Statement of research interest and purpose, including a summary of relevant work or research experience, professional experiences and goals. Highlight your career goals and research experience. You should also include any academic honors, awards, fellowships or scholarships you’ve received.
• Résumé or CV – When writing your resume, be sure to include such items as research conducted, and volunteer work.

Please see College of Graduate Studies International Applicant information here or U.S. Citizens and Resident Alien Applicant Information here.

All applications to UCF must be submitted online. All supporting documents must be sent to the College of Graduate Studies. Once the online application and all application requirements are received, the UCF College of Graduate Studies will send you an e-mail notifying you of its receipt. Actual processing of the application, however, is not initiated until the application fee and other application requirements are received in the UCF College of Graduate Studies.