Field of Microbiology Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Admissions process:
·What are the requirements for admission to the Field of Microbiology at Cornell University?
To be admitted, a student must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in microbiology or related field and should have a distinguished academic record. Research experience, while not essential, is strongly encouraged.
·What do you look for in an applicant?
The Graduate Admissions Committee takes into consideration all the various components of the application. Academic measures such as GPA and GRE scores are important. The Admissions Committee also considers insightful personal statements, strong letters of recommendation and a solid research background to be a vital part of a strong application.
·What are your minimum undergraduate GPA requirements?
There is no set minimum GPA requirement. The Graduate Admissions Committee will carefully examine an applicant's academic record to ensure an appropriate undergraduate course of study and for evidence of academic distinction in relevant subject areas.
·What are your minimum GRE requirements?
There is no minimum GRE requirement. Scores of our recent entering classes averaged 85th percentile on the quantitative test and 75th percentile on the verbal test.
·Should I take a GRE subject test?
The field does not require a subject test for admission.
·How long are the GRE scores valid?
GRE scores are valid for five years.
·What is Cornell's ETS Institutional Code?
Institutional Code: 2098; Microbiology Department Code: 0212
·Is there a Field of Microbiology brochure?
All relevant information can be obtained at http://www.micro.cornell.edu/ .
·Is there a graduate student catalog?
There is no printed graduate student catalog. All information can be obtained from http://www.micro.cornell.edu/cals/micro/academics/graduate/index.cfm .
·What are the application deadlines?
The deadline for submitting an application for fall enrollment is December 1 of the prior year. We do not admit students for spring enrollment. Information sent by mail should be mailed to arrive in December. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded with the application material and official transcripts can be sent once you matriculate.
·What is the admissions process for applicants to the Cornell Microbiology Graduate Program?
Guidelines for applying can be obtained from http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/you-apply. Instructions for completing and submitting your application can be found at http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/apply-now. Application material is assembled by the graduate field assistant who checks each application for completeness. Complete applications are then reviewed by The Graduate Admissions Committee who will generate a list of applicants to be either invited for a recruiting visit or interviewed. The Director of Graduate Study (DGS) will contact invited students to arrange a visit. International students will be phone-interviewed by members of the committee. After all the students have visited or been interviewed the DGS and admissions committee will meet to decide which students will be extended acceptances to the Field of Microbiology.
·Does the Field offer a Master's degree program?
The Field of Microbiology does not offer a Master's degree program, only the Ph. D.
·How can I check the status of my application?
You can check the CollegeNet site to see if all your documentation has been uploaded. You will be contacted by the Graduate Field Assistant only if you have missing information when the committee begins to review applications. If you have questions, you can contact the field assistant by e-mail at sac18@cornell.edu or call 607-255-3088.
Financial Aid:
·What types of financial assistance are available to incoming graduate students?
Incoming students are supported by several mechanisms including Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Cornell Graduate Fellowships.
·Is health insurance provided for microbiology graduate students?
All students supported by teaching or research assistantships are provided with health insurance. Information about the health insurance can be found at http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/for/students/grad/index.cfm .
International Students:
·What English examinations are required for admission?
Applicants who do not meet the minimal TOEFL scores will not be considered for admission. In addition, Cornell requires international teaching assistants (ITAs) to meet established levels of oral English proficiency before they can teach. The International TA Program (ITAP) works to ensure that international graduate students with teaching assignments can effectively communicate their area of expertise to others. More information on this program can be found http://www.cte.cornell.edu/itap/index.html . All Microbiology graduate students are required to TA at least one semester during their graduate program.
·What are minimum TOEFL requirements?
Many applicants should have access to the Internet-based Test (iBT) version of the TOEFL. This version will test all four language skills important for effective communication: writing, listening, reading, and speaking. Each section has its own score, and the Graduate School has set the following minimum scores for admissions:
Writing: 20
Listening: 15
Reading: 20
Speaking: 22
More information is available here http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/index.php?p=7 on testing requirements. "/>
We do not go by official language, but rather the native language. There are certainly regions where, for example, English is used by the government, but multiple languages are spoken in homes, etc.Those among the automatically exempt are students from English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK. Among those not exempt are applicants from every other country including from the Indian subcontinent, Singapore, the Anglophone Caribbean, Anglophone Africa, Francophone Canada, and Puerto Rico.
For information geared to International Students and Scholars policies and procedures, this website is very useful http://www.isso.cornell.edu/ .