Application Guidelines

Biology – MS/PhD Program:  Application Instruction Guidelines

Please use the guidelines below when preparing your application for review.  The additional information will allow us to make a more informed assessment regarding your application and aid in your pursuits.

Note: The Biology Program requires the GRE for consideration for Fall 2025 admission.

Statement of Purpose:

Statement should be limited to 500 words or less and include:

1. Description of your general research experience and interests.
2. Summary of experiences relevant to your research interests and a brief description of your academic and professional goals.
3. Identification of three potential advisors whose research programs are consistent with your research interests (consult Biology webpage faculty list:  https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/biological-sciences/faculty-and-staff.html for further information).  Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty in whose labs they are interested.  For each potential research program you identify, provide a short explanation as to how you would contribute to that research and how the program’s research can positively contribute to your academic and professional development.

Letters of Recommendation

Identify three professional references (usually academic) who will write a letter of support for your application to our program.  Letters of recommendation should:

1. Describe their interactions with the applicant and in what context (e.g., advisor, course instructor)
2. Address applicant’s preparedness to contribute to and succeed in a diverse academic research community 
3. Include a description of the applicant’s “hands on research experience” and any other predictors of academic success. 

Resume/CV

Document should include:

1. Identification of each research project in which you have participated and identify the advisor of that project
2. For each project identified, describe your role, the objective, the methods and the outcome
3. Citations and an abstract for any publication that includes you as an author
4. Professional presentations in which you participated (talks, poster sessions etc.). For each presentation identified, provide the abstract
5. Relevant academic scholarships and awards that you have received
6. Academic workshops in which you have participated (either in person or electronically)
7. Relevant teaching experience
8. Additional experiences relevant to your academic development
9. Doctoral applicants should include the abstract from their MS thesis. If the MS degree has not been finalized by the time of submission, a working abstract (identified as a draft) is acceptable.