MS Admissions

Complete the online USF Graduate Application

• For the Pre-Professional program (MSP3), select "MS in Medical Sciences” (no concentration). If you want to pursue a concentration, please select ‘Medical Science,” plus the concentration. 
• The MS in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program has a different application procedure and runs on an alternative calendar. Please see their website for details: http://health.usf.edu/medicine/mdprogram/diversity/ims.htm 
• Pay application fee ($30) 

Upload Supporting Documents

The following supporting documents must be received in order to be considered for admission. Incomplete applications lacking supporting documents will not be reviewed. For your convenience, you can upload the documents to your VZ application under “My Workspace” by selecting “My Documents”.

• Transcripts 
• Attach unofficial transcripts with your online application to expedite the review process. 
• USF students and alumni are not required to send official transcripts.
• If you have a graduate degree, or have taken classes as a post-baccalaureate student, please submit those transcripts as well.
• Request official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts and test scores must be on file to finalize any offer of admission. Official transcripts must be sent the main Office of Admissions: 

  University of South Florida
  Office of Admissions - Graduate
  4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
  Tampa, FL 33620-6900

• Test Scores (GRE, MCAT, or DAT) 
  • Test scores must be earned within five years of the desired term of entry. 
  • GRE (General Test): Upload an unofficial copy of your GRE test scores from ETS. Official GRE scores should be sent through ETS to Graduate Admissions (school code: 5828). There is no department code. 
  • MCAT:Scores should be generated from the AAMC Score Reporting System. The PDF score report should include your AAMC ID and Verification Code to be verified as official. This information is generated at the top of your PDF score report. 
  • DAT: Upload a copy of your test scores. Official scores should be sent to the main Office of Admissions.  
• Typed Graduate Program Application 
  • Complete and upload to your online application. 
• Science GPA Calculator (Does not apply to international applicants with foreign transcripts)
  • We require you to include all sections (I and II) of Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics. Please do not include lab or math courses in the Science GPA Calculator. You may also include courses in anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, botany, cell biology, ecology, entomology, genetics, histology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, physiology, physical chemistry, molecules and cells, astronomy, physics, and thermodynamics. 
  • Repeated courses: Unless you received “grade forgiveness” on your transcripts for a repeated course, include all attempts.
• Statement of Purpose (1 page) 
  • Address why you want to attend USF’s graduate master’s programs and your future professional goals. 
  • Identify how your background (education/professional experience/extracurricular activities) will help you succeed in the program. 
  • If applicable, address any circumstances that may have negatively affected your grades, or gaps in your academic/professional timeline.
• Resume
  • Academic
  • Jobs/Professional experience
  • Volunteering 
  • Extracurricular activities 
• Two Letters of Recommendations 
  • Letters intended for professional schools may be used. 
  • Applicants can use the “Recommendation Request” in the online application to send a link for your recommender to upload their letter to your online application. 
  • Recommendations should come from faculty or other professionals familiar with applicant's academic performance or professional potential. 
  • Letters of recommendation through a committee evaluation or an agency (i.e. Interfolio) may be e-mailed to our department: biomed@health.usf.edu.
  • Letters intended for a professional school application may be used. 

Each application cycle runs from October through July for the Fall semester. Our faculty committee will review applications holistically and make decisions on a rolling basis during that time frame. 

The best time to apply is when you feel your application is the strongest and before the June 1st deadline. 

Once your application is complete, the committee can review your application and make a decision. Highly competitive applicants may hear a decision within 2-4 weeks after completing their application. Please keep in mind that the committee may place some applications on hold as the applicant pool grows. Decisions can be made up until a month before the semester begins. The fall semester will start August 24, 2020. 

*This information does not apply to the MS Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program. Since this program starts on an alternative calendar in June, their deadline will be earlier. IMS applicants should apply before May 1st.  

The admission process for graduate programs can be a complex process. In order to be fair and unbiased in our application process, our staff is unable to advise prospective students on how to enhance their application or discuss chances of admission to our master's programs.  

To get a sense of the competitive nature of our master's programs, the information below includes historical data over the past three application cycles of accepted students who have matriculated into our master's program.

Average metrics of enrolled applicants:

• 2018 cycle - GPA: 3.38, MCAT: 500, GRE: 305, DAT: 18
• 2017 cycle - GPA: 3.35, MCAT: 502, GRE: 307, DAT: 19
• 2016 cycle - GPA: 3.35, MCAT: 501, GRE: 308, DAT: 18

In addition to the requirements listed above, international students must also submit the documents listed below. Unofficial copies can be used for admissions review, but final admission will not be granted until official documents are received and processed by the Office of Admissions.

1. A course-by-course foreign credential evaluation from a NACES accredited evaluation service. 

• Accepted evaluation services include, but are not limited to: 

• World Education Services
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
• Academic Evaluation Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.

• A copy of the original document that was evaluated and an English translation (if applicable) must be included with the evaluation.
  
  

2. Proof of English language proficiency. Unless a student is from an English speaking country (list of countries available on the Office of Admissions website), proficiency must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

• IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (taken within 2 years of desired term of entry)
• PTE-A score of 53 or higher
• TOEFL score of: 79 (internet-based test)213 (computer-based test) 550 (written test)
  
  

The requirement for proof of English language proficiency can be waived if: 

• A student earns 153 or higher on GRE Verbal
• A student has earned a college degree at a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning 
  
  

Please review the Office of Admissions website for full details of specific requirements for international students.

Immigration & Financial Documentation