Admission to the Neuroscience PhD Program.
All applicants for the Neuroscience Ph.D. program MUST apply through the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS) program.
https://graduate.ouhsc.edu/Graduate-Programs/PhD-Programs/Graduate-Program-in-Biomedical-Sciences/Admissions.
The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS) is an “umbrella” program that provides the first year of courses for all of the basic science PhD programs at OUHS. The application process is very competitive, with a limited number of openings. The link to the GPiBS program homepage and application information are at:https://graduate.ouhsc.edu/Graduate-Programs/PhD-Programs/Graduate-Program-in-Biomedical-Sciences/Admissions
Here are some things to pay close attention to in the application process to make your application as strong as it can be:
1. The Application Process.The application process is very competitive, with a limited number of openings. Applications are accepted starting in early September each year for admission to the GPiBS class that starts in July of the following year. It is recommended to apply early in the cycle. Interviews begin in January. Application review and interviews continue until the class is filled, which is typically in April or early May. It is critical that the application package is complete-- incomplete applications are not reviewed.
2. Research Experience. To be competitive for admission, the applicant must have hands-on bench research experience. This research experience is critical to success. Most of our successful applicants have performed undergraduate research at their home universities or in a summer research program. If you have any publications (papers, abstracts, poster presentations that you’ve given) list them on your application!
3. Personal Statement. Your personal statement needs to be clearly written and 1-2 pages long. Long personal statements typically are not as effective as a shorter statement that gets to the point clearly and concisely. Be sure to address why you are interested in the Neuroscience PhD program and describe your research experience. This is critically important. Personal statements where the student discusses the scientific background, hypotheses tested, and the meaning of the findings in addition to the research activities and methods, are most effective. Statements describing only the tasks performed (“I learned how to pipette”) are not as compelling because they do not communicate the level of the student’s understanding of the research. If there are specific research areas that you would like to pursue, those can be discussed as well.
4. Reference letters. Three reference letters are required. Strong reference letters are critical. You should get letters from professors who know you well and can speak directly to your academic performance in courses, and letters from the professor(s) who oversaw your research experience. Letters from professors who obviously don’t know the student well, or from supervisors at a non-science job, are not very helpful.It is also important that all three reference letters arrive in a timely manner-- application packets don’t get reviewed until they are complete, including the letters.
5. Official Transcripts. The applicant needs to provide official transcripts. Applications are accepted beginning in September through April or May when the class roster for the next year is completed.
6. Students whose first language is not English, must take either the TOEFL or IELTS tests.
7. GRE exam scores are not required.
If you have any questions about the program, please send us an e-mail. Feel free to contact Julie Humphrey, who is the administrative assistant for the program, Dr. Zachary Smith, who is the other Co-Director of the program, or me. I have cc’d them on this e-mail.
Thank you for your interest and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
David M. Sherry, Ph.D., Co-Director
david-sherry@ouhsc.edu
Zachary A. Smith, M.D.,
Co-Director
zachary-a-smith@ouhsc.edu
Julie Humphrey,
Program Coordinator
julie-humphrey@ouhsc.edu