Graduate Program Admissions
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Applications for Fall 2025 admissions must be received by Tuesday, December 3
START YOUR APPLICATION *Unless there are special circumstances, we do not accept applications for the Spring semester* The Department of Entomology provides graduate training in a welcoming and supportive environment. We hope you will apply to our program!
Applicants to the graduate program are not required to have an undergraduate degree in Entomology but are expected to have formal training in biology, mathematics, chemistry and genetics. Graduates with non-science degrees are encouraged to apply but, if accepted, may be required to remedy deficiencies early in their program. ***See Item 6 below for important changes regarding the submission of GRE scores***
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Criteria For Admission
Acceptance into the department is based upon approval by a committee of Entomology faculty, sponsorship by an Entomology faculty advisor who will provide laboratory space and guidance during your thesis or dissertation research, and admission by the Graduate School.
Admission is granted on the basis of the following criteria:
Acceptance into the department is based upon approval by a committee of Entomology faculty, sponsorship by an Entomology faculty advisor who will provide laboratory space and guidance during your thesis or dissertation research, and admission by the Graduate School.
Admission is granted on the basis of the following criteria:
- Acceptance by an Entomology faculty advisor. Applicants should contact potential advisors before submitting an application in order to explore mutual interests and to determine the availability of the faculty member as a mentor. However, well-qualified applicants may request a series of rotations among labs of multiple faculty before selecting a permanent advisor.
- Quality of previous graduate and undergraduate work. The Graduate School requires a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale). 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.
- 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.
- Statement of Purpose, including your goals, research interests, and experiences, and their relation to the intended program of study. This essay should highlight your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Entomology and should describe past experiences and accomplishments that bear on your goals. The review committee is particularly interested in academic work, research projects, publications, presentations, awards, and/or professional experiences that have shaped your interests and development. It is also useful to describe how the specific opportunities offered by the University of Maryland may be beneficial in pursuing your goals, especially the interests and research of one or more potential faculty advisors. The full prompt for the Statement of Purpose can be found here.
- International students must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, internet based exam, iBT) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Maryland's institutional code is 5814. If you take the iBT or IELTS exams you do NOT need to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Click here for further details regarding the UMD Graduate School's English Language Proficiency Requirements
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores are *NOT* required and will not be evaluated if submitted. However, in cases where application material is incomplete, ambiguous, or inconsistent, the admission committee may request GRE scores from applicants. (This policy was instituted on October 22, 2019 and may be inconsistent with application criteria listed elsewhere. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies if problems arise.)
How To Apply
Contact Potential Faculty Advisors. Acceptance by a faculty advisor is absolutely required; thus, it is important to make early contact with faculty that share your research interests.
University of Maryland's Graduate Application Process. The University of Maryland’s Graduate School accepts applications through its online application system. Applicants must pay a non-refundable $75 application fee for each program to which they applies. Fee waivers may be available. Contact our Graduate Director for more information.
Contact Potential Faculty Advisors. Acceptance by a faculty advisor is absolutely required; thus, it is important to make early contact with faculty that share your research interests.
University of Maryland's Graduate Application Process. The University of Maryland’s Graduate School accepts applications through its online application system. Applicants must pay a non-refundable $75 application fee for each program to which they applies. Fee waivers may be available. Contact our Graduate Director for more information.
- In addition to details regarding your three Letters of Recommendation writers, you will be asked to upload several documents as part of your application:
- In the "Previous Education" section:
- Transcript(s): At the application stage, these can be unofficial copies, but admission to the University of Maryland requires the submission of official transcripts.
- In the "Upload Requirements" section:
- Statement of Purpose (The full prompt for the Statement of Purpose can be found here.)
- CV/Resume
- Writing Samples (optional, up to 2)
- In the "Previous Education" section:
- The University of Maryland is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international graduate student community. The office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) is a valuable resource for information and assistance for prospective and current international students. International applicants are encouraged to explore the services they offer and to contact them with related questions.
- The University of Maryland Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; it is not a guarantee of attendance. Admitted international students will receive instructions about obtaining the appropriate visa to study at the University of Maryland which will require submission of additional documents. Please see the International Admissions section of the Graduate School website for more information.
After You Apply
Application Review: Applications are reviewed annually in December for admission in the Fall semester of the following year.*
Final Admission: Following approval, the applicant will receive:
* Late applications may be reviewed if the student makes a special request in writing.
Application Review: Applications are reviewed annually in December for admission in the Fall semester of the following year.*
- Once the Department has received applications and all supporting materials from the Graduate School, a committee of Entomology faculty reviews the application packages using all available information to determine acceptability to the Graduate Program.
- The committee then recommends acceptable applicants to the all Entomology faculty for review.
- 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.
- Note: International students must also meet minimum requirements set by the Office of International Students and Scholars Services.
Final Admission: Following approval, the applicant will receive:
- An offer of admission from the Graduate School specifying the date of entrance, and
- an offer letter from the Department indicating the stipend level, duration of support, and amount of tuition remission.
* Late applications may be reviewed if the student makes a special request in writing.
