Apply online here
Admissions Timeline
| December 1, 2022 | Deadline for Applications |
| Early January 2023 | Invitations to Open House/Interviews |
| February 3-4, 2023 | First (in-person) Open House/Interviews |
| February 17-18, 2023 | Second (in-person) Open House/Interviews |
| Late February - Early March | Offers of admission (from both open houses) |
| April 15, 2023 | Deadline (agreed by all U.S. PhD programs) for responding to offers of admission. |
Notable Application Features
The Biological Sciences PhD Program requires applicants to enter at least three names of program faculty who might serve as their potential advisor. Please review the list of research faculty and enter the names of your proposed advisors in the space provided in the GSAS application. This information, together with your “primary program subfield” selection and statement of purpose, helps us to evaluate your interests and potential match with the program.
No GREs required for the Biological Sciences PhD program.
Application Deadline is December 1, 2022.
English Proficiency Requirement rules may require submission of TOEFL or IELTS examination scores. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences requires a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test, 100 on the internet-based test, or 7.5 for the IELTS.
Advice to Applicants
Holistic evaluation centers on research aptitude and commitment, together with academic, social and character considerations, as well as a perceived match with the program. Solicited letters of support and statements should be chosen and written accordingly. Letters about academic experiences and/or extracurricular activities are most valuable if they provide insight into interests, attitudes and character as well as accomplishments.
Pass/Fail grades and other Covid-19 adjustments will not disadvantage an applicant.
Finances
You are encouraged to apply for a Provost Diversity Fellowship by submitting a diversity statement as part of your application. This first-year stipend addition, intended as a recruitment incentive, is awarded for overcoming systemic challenges or hardships and demonstrating a commitment to engaging diversity (only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible).
Application fee waiver requests for financial hardship, extenuating circumstances or military service, accessed at the end of the application, will not delay consideration.
Tuition, fees and a generous stipend are paid for all graduate students accepted to the program.
Information
Please explore the Biological Sciences PhD Program.
For questions about the Biological Sciences PhD program please consult the Biological Sciences FAQ webpage and direct remaining questions to [email protected].
Further information about the online application can be found on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) website.
For questions about general GSAS application procedures please consult the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Admissions Office Admissions FAQ webpage, and direct unanswered questions to the admissions office via email at [email protected] with "Question Not Answered on Website or Change Application Information" in the subject line. In the text of the email, you must include your name, date of birth and the department to which you are applying, "Biological Sciences".
Other Programs
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) also hosts PhD programs in the biomedical sciences, which can be explored here. Applications to both Biological Sciences and a CUIMC program is permitted, but they are separate applications.