Graduate Program Application FAQ

UL Lafayette Biology Graduate Program Application FAQ 

How do I apply?

Apply using the UL Lafayette Graduate School's online Application Portal: https://gradschool.louisiana.edu/apply
Note that to enable many functions, including options to upload documents (such as your statement of interest) and requesting letters of recommendation, you must first "Submit the application form" (not just create an account). So, "submitting" the application is an early step, not the final step, in the application process. Questions regarding the specifics of the online Application Portal should be directed to the Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu).

What are the application deadlines?

Applying to the Fall Semester (classes typically start second week of August)

· Biology Department will begin reviewing applications after our target deadline of February 1.

· International student applications must be completed by May 15 to meet Graduate School’s deadline.

Applying to the Spring semester (classes typically start the first week of January)

· Biology Department will begin reviewing applications after our target deadline of September 15.

· International student applications must be completed by October 1 to meet Graduate School’s deadline.

*We will still accept applications after our department’s target deadlines, but the admission committee may not consider your application in first-round, departmental-level decisions for funding.

When will I know the outcome of my application?

The department’s graduate admission committee typically takes about 2-2.5 weeks to complete its review and make recommendations to the Graduate School.

What are the GPA requirements for admission?

Master of Science (thesis & non-thesis tracks)

· Regular admission requires an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.75; 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work; or, a graduate GPA of 3.0 on all previously earned graduate degrees

PhD (Doctoral)

· Regular admission requires an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.00; or, a graduate GPA of 3.3 on all previously earned graduate work attempted.

I am interested in applying to the PhD program. Do I need a Masters degree to be considered?

No. However, applicants to the doctoral program who do not have a MS degree are expected to have substantial research experience.

I am interested in applying to the PhD or Master of Science thesis track programs. Do I need identify a graduate faculty advisor when I apply?

Yes! The first step you should be taking, if you haven’t already, is to secure the support of a prospective advisor from our graduate faculty.

Your graduate advisor is the person with whom you would do your dissertation research, as you will need their support for the application. This person could be a strong advocate for your application if you are a good match to the lab. Thus, you should consider your research interests and career goals carefully, and then contact only the appropriate faculty to inquire if they are seeking new graduate students. You will find a list of the faculty and their research interests at the end of the letter. Mass e-mails sent to all faculty members rarely result in the applicant identifying an advisor.

You must communicate with your potential advisor and receive confirmation from them that they will provide a notice of support for your application. Once you have their support, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/A7cE8uZMUp. The department admission coordinator will ask your potential advisor if they have corresponded with you and/or interviewed you. Applications to our PhD or Masters of Science thesis-track programs that lack faculty advisor support will not be recommended for admission.

I am interested in applying to the Masters of Science non-thesis track program. Do I need identify a graduate faculty advisor when I apply?

No.

Do I need to submit a GRE score when I apply?

No. The GRE is no longer required for admission to our graduate programs.
However, if you have taken the GRE and feel your scores are a strong element in your overall application package, e.g., 50th percentile or higher in verbal or quantitative sections, then we encourage you to submit them.

I do not hold a degree in biology or a closely related science. How would that affect my application?

It would be a disservice for us to accept a student who did not have the appropriate background to do well. Low grades (anything less than a ‘B’) could lead to expulsion because a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to remain in the program. However, we will consider students with other degrees provided they have other compelling evidence they will succeed. We recommend that students without a biology degree complete most of the following courses before applying (using UL Lafayette course numbers):

• Chem 107 (General Chemistry I), Chem 108 (General Chemistry II), and Chem 231 (Organic Chemistry I);
• Biol 230/231 (Cell & Molecular Biology), 233/234 (Genetics & Evolution), and Biol 325 (Physiology);
• A 400-level biology class;
• Physics 207;
• Math 250 (Calculus)

Does the Graduate School provide application fee waivers?

No. They do not. Requests for application fee waivers are not granted as those fees cover the cost of time involved in reviewing and processing the application.

When is the deadline to apply?

Fall Semester: The target date to have a completed application to the Biology Graduate program for admission to the Fall semester is February 1, and the final Graduate School deadline for international applicants is May 15.*
Spring Semester: The recommended target deadline for admission to the Spring semester is September 15; the Graduate School deadline is October 1.*
*We will still accept applications after this deadline, but you may not be included in first-round, departmental-level decisions for funding.

What are the program costs?

You may find information on UL Lafayette Graduate School program costs here: https://louisiana.edu/graduateschool/admissions/tuition-funding.

Are UL Lafayette Biology Department graduate students paid? Do they receive a tuition waiver?

Most UL Lafayette Biology Department, thesis-track Masters of Science students are paid from an assistantship. Most assistantships include a waiver of tuition and most fees. Teaching assistantships pay $22,000 for each 9-month academic year, with a teaching load of one or two laboratory sections per semester. Research assistantships are paid from the grants of their primary graduate advisor; the stipend level is dictated by the specific grant and can be discussed with your prospective advisor. Most, but not all, research assistantships include a waiver of tuition and fees. Exceptional applicants may be offered scholarships in addition to their fellowship or assistantship.*

Some UL Lafayette Biology Department, non-thesis-track Masters of Science students are paid from a teaching assistantship, which include a waiver of tuition and most fees. Teaching assistantships pay $22,000 for each 9-month academic year, with a teaching load of one or two laboratory sections per semester.*

Our department aims to support each of our graduate students with a stipend and waiver of tuition and most fees. However, we must adhere to university priorities. Except for research assistantships, which are at the discretion of the advisor, doctoral students are preferentially funded over thesis-track Master of Science students. Non-thesis Master of Science students are the least likely to receive funding.

*Please see the informational letter for additional details about student support.

I need to change my entry term (i.e., the semester I applying to start). How do I do that?

To update your entry term, please make the change through the Graduate School’s application portal. For further instructions, please visit the Graduate School’s “Steps to Update/Defer Your Entry Term” web site

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS

Does the Graduate School provide waivers for English Language Proficiency exams?

No. They do not.
Waivers are not granted because, to issue an I-20 for visa purposes, the university must comply with U.S. Federal Government rules and respond to the query:  Does the student meet the English Language proficiency requirement? To be fair across the board to all international applications, that proficiency is measured using the standardized tests listed on this page. English Lanaguage Proficiency Exam Official Scores must be directed to the Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu).

Who do I contact for questions about financial documents?

The UL Lafayette Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu)
Questions regarding the specifics of application materials such as financial documents should be directed to the Graduate School (. You can also see their information for international students at https://gradschool.louisiana.edu/admissions/international-students. Another useful source of information is the Office of International Affairs (http://internationalaffairs.louisiana.edu).

Who do I contact for questions about immunization records?

The UL Lafayette Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu)
Questions regarding the specifics of application materials such as financial documents, visas, immunization records, transcripts, etc., should be directed to the Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu). You can also see their information for international students at https://gradschool.louisiana.edu/admissions/international-students. Another useful source of information is the Office of International Affairs (http://internationalaffairs.louisiana.edu). Please do not send me documents for pre-review: these should be uploaded to the application portal.

Who do I contact for questions about providing transcripts?

The UL Lafayette Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu)
Questions regarding transcripts, etc., should be directed to the Graduate School (gradschool@louisiana.edu). You can also see their information for international students at https://gradschool.louisiana.edu/admissions/international-students. Another useful source of information is the Office of International Affairs (http://internationalaffairs.louisiana.edu).