Process of Application | Criteria for Admission

Applications must be received by January 7 for Fall admission.

PROCESS OF APPLICATION

All application materials are available online and submission of materials is also done online. Online Graduate Application submittal is available on the Graduate School website. General information, including application deadlines, also can be obtained from the Graduate School website. Specific questions pertaining to the Graduate Program in entomology can be directed to the Graduate Director.

The Department's Graduate Affairs Committee reviews the academic credentials of all applications. The Committee uses all available information to determine acceptability to the Graduate Program (see Criteria for Admissions below).

Complete applications are reviewed annually in January for admission in the Fall semester. Late applications may be reviewed if the student makes a special request in writing. Applications are evaluated for acceptability to the Graduate Program.

The Committee recommends acceptable students to the faculty for review. No student is accepted without a faculty sponsor. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that applicants initiate discussions with potential faculty advisors well before the application deadlines. Once a commitment of faculty sponsorship and financial support is made, the Graduate Director recommends acceptance to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean then grants acceptance if all Graduate School requirements have been met. International students must also meet minimum requirements from International Education Services.

Following approval, the applicant will receive a written offer of admission from the Graduate School specifying date of entrance and a letter from the Department indicating the stipend level, duration of support, and amount of tuition remitted. To confirm your place in the class the offer of admission requires a response. Changes to the offer letter, including change of effective date, change of advisor, etc. require authorization by the Department. Failure to register for the authorized semester also voids the offer of admission.

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Criteria for Admission

Incoming students typically have formal training in basic sciences - biology, mathematics, chemistry, and genetics. An undergraduate degree in entomology is not required. Students from non-science backgrounds are also encouraged to apply but may need to remedy deficiencies as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Acceptance into the department is based upon approval by the Graduate Affairs Committee, sponsorship by a faculty advisor who will provide laboratory space and guidance during your thesis research, and admission by the Graduate School. Admission is granted on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Quality of previous graduate and undergraduate work. The Graduate School requires as a minimum standard a B average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university.) For Ph.D. applicants, graduate as well as undergraduate grades are considered. Depending on the applicants' interests, performance within specific courses also may be considered. Official transcripts of all previous academic training must be submitted.


2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores. The aptitude test is required and the Biology Subject test is recommended because it may provide helpful information to evaluate the applicant.


3. Strength of three letters of recommendation from persons competent to judge the applicant's probable success in graduate school. These letters are usually from applicant's former professors who are able to give an in-depth evaluation of applicant's strengths and weaknesses with respect to academic work. Additional recommendations may come from employers or supervisors who are familiar with applicant's work experience. Applicants should instruct their references to send all letters of recommendation to:

   University of Maryland College Park
   Enrollment Services Operations
   Application for Graduate Admission
   Rm 0130 Mitchell Building
   College Park, MD 20742



4. Statement of Goals, Research Interests, and Experiences, and their relation to the intended program of study. These statements also help the Graduate Affairs Committee identify potential faculty sponsors with similar research interests.


5. International applicants must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) scores. In general, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 is required. TOEFL scores less than 600 indicate that additional experience with the English language is necessary to perform successfully in the classroom and to complete a quality research project.


6. Acceptance by a faculty advisor is absolutely required; thus, it is important to make early contact with faculty that share your research interests.


7. Supporting evidence of graduate potential, such as publications, grant proposals, specific work experience, or special skills.


8. When applicable, official letters may be required, stating terms and conditions of support if applicant is entering a graduate program with previously arranged financial assistance from a granting agency, government, or employer.