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G Biotechnology  

How To Apply

APPLY ONLINE NOW for Fall 2013

The P.S.M. in Biotechnology program starts each fall (late August) and spring (late January). The priority application dates are:

  • April 15 for fall admission
  • October 15 for spring admission
Applications are considered for fall 2013 admission until July 15, 2013.

Bachelor's Degree Background

Applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology or Chemistry are preferred. Students with a degree in other scientific fields (including Biochemistry and Physics) are also eligible to apply for the program. If such a student is admitted, additional coursework at USF might be required.

Application Process

Applications that are complete and on file at USF at that time will be given priority consideration for admission and financial assistance offered by the Department of Biology. Applications are accepted and reviewed after these dates on a case-by-case basis.

Start your application online. You can scan and upload your application items to your USF online application account. Please ensure that your scanned documents are easy to read and printable. If you are submitting test scores, you must request that official scores are sent to USF. You are encouraged to submit your completed application several weeks before the deadline.

Required Application Items

  • Online Application – Online Application and $55 application fee.
  • Transcript – An official transcript from each community college, college (university-level), or university attended.
  • Statement of Purpose – a two-page statement that describes your reasons for pursuing this area of graduate study, your science background and experience, and your educational and professional goals.
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • GRE General Exam score is required. You can submit your copy of your GRE score report until the official copy from ETS is received.
  • International students need to submit their official English language test score (TOEFL or IELTS), passport data/photo page and a completed Certification of Finance form with supplemental bank statements (see International Students ).
Submit these items to:

University of San Francisco
Office of Graduate Programs, Arts and Sciences
2130 Fulton Street, HR 240
San Francisco, CA, 94117

Tests and GPA Requirements

An official TOEFL score is required of international applicants. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based) or 600 (print-based) is required for consideration. A minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or higher is required. After review of an application, coursework in USF's Intensive English Program may be recommended or required. The USF school code for the GRE and the TOEFL is 6996 or 4850.

The GRE General Exam score is required.

Biotechnology applicants should hold a GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or higher (on a scale of 4.0 as the highest score) in their undergraduate major and in upper-division coursework in the field of Biology.

Application Status

Start your application online and complete all required sections, including uploading required unofficial documents. All application items (for example, resume, official transcripts, English language test scores, and recommender information) must be uploaded before you submit your application. Once you submit, your application will be incomplete until your recommenders submit their online letter of recommendation. Check your online application frequently to monitor the status of your application.

Notification of Admission Decision

When an application and all application items have been submitted and verified, then an application is complete and ready for admission review by the P.S.M Biotechnology program. Admission review begins after the deadline of each admission term. Admission decisions are released beginning 4 to 6 weeks after the deadline.

Included in the admission decision letter is notification of any scholarship awarded by the graduate program. Applicants receive email notification when the admission decision is available online. Admitted applicants also receive an admission package in the mail.

Financial Aid Application

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a U.S. federal student loan at www.fafsa.ed.gov . The USF federal school code for the FAFSA is 001325. The federal student loan program offers graduate student loans of $20,500 (or any amount of the maximum) per year. In addition, the federal government offers the Grad Plus Loan Program. For merit-based scholarships offered by the Department of Biotechnology, all applicants (U.S. and international) are considered and notified of these scholarships in the admission letter. There is no separate application.

Advising, Registration, Orientation and Start of Classes

Admitted students can contact the Department of Biotechnology for details about the advising and registration schedule, as well as start of classes, in late August for fall students and in late January for spring applicants. Dr. Jennifer Dever, the Graduate Director for Biotechnology, can be contacted at 415.422.6755 or at dever@usfca.edu .

International Students

Fall and Spring – International Student Orientation for New Students

All international students who start their graduate program in August (Fall admission) or January (Spring admission) are required to attend this orientation hosted by International Student Services, as well as any additional orientation offered by the Biotechnology Program.

For dates/time, location and other details contact International Student Services at isss@usfca.edu or visit www.usfca.edu/isss and click on "New Students".

International students are highly recommended to arrive at USF at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall and spring to finalize housing arrangements and attend International Student Orientation.