Applying for Admission (All Programs)
You are encouraged to visit Biology faculty websites to identify, and to contact, those faculty whose research matches your interests, and to determine existing research opportunities. This information should be included in the Statement of Purpose (see below) portion of your application.
The following materials are required for a complete application, and are sent to the ECU Graduate School Office:
1) Application form (on-line, or mailed as a hard copy). On-line applications
can be accessed at:
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm
2) Official transcript from each college or university previously attended.
3) Official GRE scores of the General Test (ECU GRE code is 5180). The Biology Test is not required.
4) Statement of Purpose (= Statement of Intent).
5) Three letters of recommendation from individuals in a professionally relevant field who can assess your promise as a graduate student
6) Non-refundable application fee ($60)
7) TOEFL scores if you are a foreign applicant and have received your baccalaureate degree from a university outside the USA where English is not the official language.
Forms for the Statement of Purpose, and Letter of Recommendation, can be downloaded from http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm.
The Statement of Purpose describes the nature of your interests in biology, why you wish to pursue graduate studies at ECU, and those accomplishments and experiences you feel qualify you for consideration as potential graduate student. This is an important part of the application package because it contains information that may not necessarily be well represented by the other application materials, and allows us to determine if your professional interests can be served by our curriculum and our faculty. Selection for admission is based on the sum of the individual’s qualifications, and the availability of facilities, research resources, and financial support.
Any materials mailed to the Graduate School should be sent to:
The Graduate School
131 Ragsdale
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (All Programs)
1) Requirements for admission include a baccalaureate degree in
Biology or a related field from an accredited college or university within the
country, or the equivalent from a foreign university. Those applying for
admission to the MS in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology must have had
coursework or appropriate training in genetics, microbiology, and basic
molecular technology.
2) GRE scores less than 5 years old; scores of each section (Verbal; Quantitative;
Analytical Writing) should be at least in the 50th percentile. Current
percentile rankings of GRE scores for the general test can be downloaded
from the Educational Testing Service website at: http://www.ets.org
3) GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for Master’s Programs, or 3.0 for doctoral
programs. The average GPA of students accepted in the Biology graduate
programs is 3.2 (MS) and 3.5 (Ph D).
4) TOEFL score minimum of 80 (internet-based exam), 113 (computer-based exam),
or (550 (paper-based exam) if you are a foreign applicant and English is not
your native language.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
MS Programs:
Domestic Students.
Fall Semester: June 15
Spring Semester: October 15
First Summer Session: March 31
Second Summer Session: May 15
International Students
Fall Semester: April 1
Ph D Programs: (Domestic and International students are admitted only for the
Fall semester)
IDPBS: April 1
CRM: January 15
Decisions concerning financial support awards are limited to fall admissions, and applications for fall are reviewed beginning January. It is therefore to your advantage to apply early.
