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Application Deadlines

February 15 is the application deadline for the fall term.

Required application materials

All applicants must submit all of the following materials through the FIU Graduate School application portal.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The CV should include relevant research, teaching and related experience, publications or presentations, honors, scholarships, or awards.

Official graduate record examination (GRE) scores

GRE scores for 2023 are waived.

Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation written by undergraduate advisors, research advisors, or professional colleagues should be submitted online. Letters of recommendation from friends and family members should not be submitted. Strong, unequivocal letters attesting to an applicant’s educational background, motivation, analytical skills, and promise as a research scientist are considered important by the admissions committee. At the time of application, applicants should register recommenders for online submission of letters.

Statement of purpose essay

The statement of purpose essay should describe an applicant’s aptitude and motivation for graduate study, and should explain why the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences is a good intellectual fit for the applicant. The essay also should list research topic areas of interest and faculty members with whom the applicant would like to work. Applicants should include information on their experience with research, and courses or projects that have prepared them for doctoral work in biomedical sciences. Finally, the statement of purpose essay should highlight an applicant’s career goals upon completion of the doctoral degree.

Transcripts. Official transcripts must be submitted for each college or university an applicant has attended. Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institutions to FIU in sealed envelopes. Applicants who have attended FIU or are currently attending FIU do not need to submit an FIU transcript.

Transcripts issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a copy translated by an official translation service or official translator duly accredited in the United States or the applicant’s home country. The FIU Graduate Admissions Office evaluates foreign credentials internally (as part of the admissions process) at no additional cost to the applicant.

Application fee

A $30 nonrefundable fee is due at the time of application. Applications are not processed until the application fee has been received. Applicants may pay the fee online using a major credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express), or may pay using a personal check or money order in U.S. dollars.

Additional requirements for international applicants

English proficiency test scores

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate proficiency in the English language, and are required to take and provide scores for one of these official English language proficiency tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language; minimum score required for TOEFL iBT: 80; minimum score required for the TOEFL paper-based test: 550), IELTS (International English Language Testing System; minimum score required for IELTS: 6.5 overall), or PTE (Pearson Test of English; minimum score required: 53). Test scores must be dated within 2 years of the start of the program. DUOLINGO scores are being accepted for 2023.

The English language proficiency requirement is not required for international applicants if they: (1) completed an Associate’s, a Bachelor’s, or a Master’s degree at an institution in the United States, (2) completed an Associate’s, a Bachelor’s, or a Master’s degree at an institution accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency in a country where the language of instruction is English, or (3) earned a degree from an institution in an English proficiency test exempt country.

Declaration and certification of finances form

To obtain a certificate of eligibility, all international applicants must complete the Declaration and Certification of Finances form and submit it to the FIU Graduate Admissions Office.

F-1 graduate student transfer form

Applicants transferring to FIU from another U.S. institution must complete the F-1 Graduate Student Transfer Form and submit it to the FIU Graduate Admissions Office.

Finalizing your admission file

Only completed applications are reviewed by the admissions committee. Any missing documents should be sent as soon as possible. Applicants may check for missing items by logging in to MyFIU with their Panther IDs and checking the “To Do” list.

For additional questions regarding the application process for the Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences or for questions regarding the status of an application for the Ph.D. Program, applicants should contact Odalys De La Rosa, Sr. Program Coordinator, by phone at 305-348-4372 or via email at odelaros@fiu.edu.