General Application Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited university. Must be earned by the start of classes. 
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0*
  • Minimum science GPA of 3.0*
• Test scores from at least ONE of the following exams taken in the past five years scoring at or above the 50th percentile**
  • GRE
  • MCAT
  • DAT
• Personal statement, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation
• Required supplemental information form (if prompted, you do not need to log into Box; simply hit "Download" in the upper right hand corner)
• $30 application fee
  
  

*Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis

International students should view the section "Additional Requirements for International Students." 

Basic Course Requirements

These course requirements do not apply to Biotechnology or Bioinformatics applicants. 

2 semesters (or 3 quarters) of the following courses are required: 

• Biological Science including lab
• General Chemistry including lab
• Organic Chemistry including lab
• Physics including lab
• Mathematics
• English
  
  

Our science requirements are similar to the requirements of most health professional schools. Applicants should have completed most, if not all, of the science requirements before starting the program. 

College courses recommended, but not required include: physical or biological chemistry, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology, anatomy, genetics, histology, microbiology, statistics, and calculus. 

Average Metrics of Enrolled Applicants

Year	GPA	MCAT	GRE	DAT
2019	3.32	498	308	18
2018	3.38	500	305	18
2017	3.35	502	307	19

 

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

Deadlines

The deadlines listed below are the final deadlines for submission of the online application.

Though applications will not be reviewed before they are fully complete with all supporting materials (test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.), you can submit the online application, then provide the required supporting materials as soon as possible after applying.  

Programs	Fall (August)	Spring (January)	Summer (May)
MS in Medical Sciences (including MSP3)*	June 1	No Admission	No Admission
Bioinformatics & Biotechnology	June 1	October 15	February 15

*The MSMS IMS concentration starts on an alternative calendar (mid-June). Their primary deadline is March 1. 

All deadlines above are for the online application. The department may accept and review supporting documents (e.g. pending test scores or grades) within a month after these deadlines on a space available basis. Applicants who complete the application and provide supporting documents by the deadline will have maximum consideration. 

Decision Timeline*

Applications for Fall are reviewed on a rolling basis from October-July. The best time to apply is when you feel your application is the strongest and before the June 1 deadline.

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 MSMS 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 March 1. 

1. Complete the online USF Graduate Application

• For the Pre-Professional program (MSP³), select "Medical Sciences” (no concentration). If you want to pursue a concentration, please select "Medical Science,” plus the concentration. 
• The MSMS in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program has a different application procedure and runs on an alternative calendar. Please see their website for details.
  
  

Please note, you can apply online, then submit supporting materials (e.g. transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation) after you have submitted your application. 

2. Pay application fee ($30) 
You will be prompted to pay as soon as you submit your application. If you are unable to pay when you submit, you can do so within 30 days by logging into your OASIS account at my.usf.edu. 

3. Submit transcripts and test scores
To upload documents to your application, log into the application website, then navigate to My Workspace > My Documents.

Transcripts
Unofficial copies can be uploaded directly to your application and can be used for our admissions review. If you are offered admission, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended (undergraduate and graduate). USF students do not need to submit official USF transcripts but should upload an unofficial copy with their application. 

Test Scores
Must be earned within five years of your desired term of entry. 

• GRE
  • 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. 
    
    

4. Submit additional required documents. 
To upload documents to your application, log into the application website, then navigate to My Workspace > My Documents.

• Required Supplemental Information Form
  
  • If prompted, you do not need to log into Box; simply hit "Download" in the upper right hand corner.
  • Instructions for the Science GPA Calculator (included on the Required Supplemental Information Form)
    • The Science GPA Calculator is not required for Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or international applicants with foreign transcripts. 
    • Include all sections (I and II) of Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physics, along with other sciences courses. 
    • Do not include lab or math courses. 
    • Include all attempts of repeated courses, unless you received “grade forgiveness” on your transcripts.
• 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. (Note: they will not receive the link until you submit the 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 (e.g. Interfolio) may be e-mailed to our department: biomed@usf.edu.
    
    

5. International applicants should review the section "Additional Requirements for International Students." 

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