Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am a competitive applicant?
There are many applicants for each available position in the graduate program. Several criteria are used to assess an applicant's potential for success. All successful applicants to the IBGP have research experience; most applicants have spent at least a year in a laboratory. Letters of recommendation from faculty members are very important, particularly the letter from the research advisor. The applicant's personal statement, especially the research description, is also heavily weighed in assessing an applicant's potential for graduate study. Strong performance in undergraduate science courses (chemistry and physics as well as biology) is expected. The average GRE scores of the entering class are 1275 Verbal+Quantative combined and 5.0 Analytical Writing; the average undergraduate GPA of our incoming students is 3.6.

How can I find out if my application and supporting documents have been received?
Applicants may log into YOUR APPLICATION "Check Status" to see if supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application fees) have been received. The admissions office will post your documents to your application page as soon as possible. We request that you check the status of your application online PRIOR TO contacting the Graduate Studies Office.

Where supporting documents should be sent?
All application related materials for the graduate program should be sent to:

University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Science Graduate Program
Graduate Studies Office
524 Scaife Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261-0001

When will I know if I've been accepted?
The Admissions Committee arranges to interview all applicants whom they are considering for admission. Interviews of overseas applicants may be conducted by phone. Most interviews take place between late January through March. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis between February 1 and April 15. All offer letters will be sent by mail before April 15.

What is my application fee?
The application fee is $50, which is due before we can begin processing your application. The fee can be in the form of a check or money order made payable to "The University of Pittsburgh," or can be paid by credit card online.

Is it possible for me to obtain a waiver of the application fee?
We regret that we cannot waive the application fee for international applicants, U.S. citizens, and permanent residents.

What if my letter writer does not use the recommendation form?
While we prefer to receive recommendation letters electronically, we will accept letters without the form if the letter comes directly from the letter writer, or in a sealed and signed envelope with the application, or from a college career office.

Which standardized tests does IBGP require?
IBGP requires the general GRE for all applicants and the TOEFL or IELTS for students for whom English is not the native language. We will waive the TOEFL/IELTS for students who have received a degree in the U.S. or other approved English-instructed institution. IBGP recommends but does not require the GRE subject test.

What if my GRE scores cannot be reported by the January 15 deadline?
We will accept GRE scores after January 15 if the rest of the application is complete. However, applications will not be considered until the scores are received. Applicants may email the unofficial results of a computer-based GRE test directly to the Graduate Studies Office (gradstudies@medschool.pitt.edu); however, no action may be taken on the application until the official scores are received.

What if I took the GRE more than 5 years ago or the TOEFL more than 2 years ago?
ETS will not issue GRE scores that are more than 5 years old or TOEFL scores that are more than 2 years old. Applicants who have expired scores must retake the test(s).

Will you accept MCAT scores instead of GRE Scores?
We do not accept MCAT scores in place of GRE scores.