The Admissions Process
The online application deadline for the PhD and the Masters degree program of the Graduate Group in Immunology is January 2nd. The UC Davis-wide graduate fellowship application deadline for incoming and continuing students is also January 2nd. Incoming and continuing students are strongly encouraged to apply for fellowships.
Applications undergo three rounds of review. First, during the initial review process a group of faculty members evaluate the application packages including undergraduate GPA, GRE scores and, if applicable, the TOEFL score. We value in particular strong letters of recommendations as well as personal statements that reveal motivation and purpose. Applicants may also upload an optional writing sample with their application.
We are committed to creating a diverse student body and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. It is not necessary to identify a faculty mentor for application to the PhD degree program, as admitted PhD students rotate through a number of laboratories prior to selection of a faculty mentor. Students seeking the Masters degree must identify a faculty mentor willing to act as a faculty sponsor.
Following the initial review process, the strongest applicants will be invited to UC Davis for interview. This recruitment event is scheduled on the last Friday and Saturday in February (Feb. 26/27 in 2010). An alternate interview date will sometimes be provided upon request and is usually held the following Friday. During the event, the applicants will receive an overview of the immunology program, learn about the large and varied research activities and resources on the UC Davis campus and have opportunities to meet and interact with the graduate group faculty and our current students in both formal and informal settings.
From those applicants selected for interview we will invite some to join our program. Invitations are usually mailed within two weeks following the interviews. Invitations are contingent upon a (third) final review and approval by Graduate Studies to ensure that formal graduate degree requirements are met upon admission. Students are given until April 15 to accept the invitation to join. A waitlist might be established. Students on the waitlist will be informed after April 15 whether additional positions are available.