PBS graduate program FAQ

Fall admissions

How and when do I apply to the program?

Deadline for applications is December 15 

To prepare a competitive application please provide a clear picture of your past scholastic performance, and academic and research potential. The preferred performance level of GRE scores is above the 60th percentile. The Plant Biological Sciences Graduate Program prefers an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for admission. 

It is preferred that international applicants should score at least 79, plus 21 on Writing and 19 on Reading on the TOEFL test.

The University of Minnesota’s Application Process

The University of Minnesota application for graduate admission must be submitted online via the ApplyYourself admissions system. 

This includes uploading unofficial copies of your transcripts and academic records directly to the online application. After you submit your materials, you will receive periodic email status updates at each point in the admission process. You will also be able to check the status of your application yourself.

Transcripts and credentials

You must list on your online application each institution of higher learning from which you have earned credit. You must also submit transcripts or academic records for each of these institutions. This includes partial or incomplete transcripts.

Unofficial transcripts

Transcripts or academic records must be uploaded http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/transcript_uploads.html

English translations should also be uploaded (together with original language transcripts) if the transcript is not in English. Please do not submit paper or fax copies of this material because it will cause delays in your application processing.

• Important instructions for uploading your transcripts
• Details about transcripts for International applicants

If you have been previously enrolled at the University of Minnesota (any campus), you can get electronic copies of your transcripts from OneStop.

Official Transcripts

All transcripts and academic records uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial. You will only be asked to submit official transcripts or academic records if you are admitted. These must be submitted before you register and enroll at the University of Minnesota. If you have attended universities that issue official transcripts on request, you must have these materials sent to the Graduate School Admissions Office directly from the institution. An official, certified (signature and seal) English translation should be attached if the transcript is not in English.

For English language translation services in the Twin Cities area, go to http://www.isss.umn.edu/resources/TranslationServ.html or contact the Graduate School Admissions office at 612-625-3014. The University of Minnesota reserves the right to require the submission of official transcripts or credentials any time during the admission review process.

Test scores

GRE - Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required by your program. More information

English Proficiency Tests - A TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS test is required of most international applicants whose native language is not English. More information

The Twin Cities campus TOEFL institutional code is 6874.

To learn how to check if your GRE or TOEFL scores have been received by our office, click here.

Required application materials include: 

• Plant Biological Sciences program application
• University of Minnesota’s Apply yourself application
• Personal Statement
• Diversity Statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Copy of GRE scores
• Copies of transcripts from all colleges attended
• Foreign students must also submit a copy of their TOEFL scores. 

The fee for U.S. citizens/permanent residents is $75; and the fee for international applicants is $95.

Please note: The application fee cannot be waived or deferred, and is not refundable.

For complete information on the Graduate School’s application process, as well as other important information please visit the Graduate School Frequently Asked Questions site.

What are the undergraduate requirements for admission?

Incoming graduate students must have earned a BS, BA, or equivalent undergraduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education.  It is desired that applicants have a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4-point grading scale (or equivalent).  Admitted students are expected to have completed coursework in plant and animal biology (general biology), genetics, organic and inorganic chemistry (general chemistry), differential and integral calculus, and physics. For students with demonstrated academic abilities, coursework deficiencies can be filled during the first year of graduate study.

Is the GRE required?

Yes, we require the general GRE test.  Complete information about the GRE is located at http://www.gre.org   It is best to take your GRE test by the end of October.  This way the official scores reach our campus on time.  We do not require the GRE subject test.

The University of Minnesota institution code is 6874.

Where do I send my TOEFL score?

The Twin Cities TOEFL institutional code is 6874.

Please note that test scores may not be available for 4-6 weeks after you take the test, and plan accordingly. If you have already applied and want to check if our office has received your official TOEFL scores, click here.

Official scores will be required prior to enrollment or before we issue visa documents. 

All English language test scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. 

I have submitted application materials for fall semester.  How can I find out my application status?

The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing application at the end of December. The program coordinator will notify applicants about application status and what materials are missing from their file. The program holds an open house for domestic applicants in January (by invitation only).  All admission decisions will be made by April 15^th.  For this reason, it is important that you inform us of any changes to your contact information.

I missed the December 15 deadline! Now what?

Generally most students start in the program in the fall. If funding is available students may start in spring semester. Contact the program office at pbiogp@umn.edu to find out if they are still accepting applications for a particular semester.

How are admissions decisions made?

We are looking for bright and motivated students and welcome all such applications.  The program considers:

• GRE scores (60^th percentile preferred in all areas)
• TOEFL score, for foreign studentsit is preferred that applicants should score at least 79 plus 21 on Writing and 19 on Reading (test date within the past two years).  For more information on the TOEFL go to http://www.ets.org/toefl/
• Transcripts from all undergraduate schools attended (minimum average grade of B, which is a 3.0 on 4.0 grading scale is preferred)
• Transcripts from all graduate schools attended
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Research experience or publications

What financial support is provided?

The Plant Biological Sciences Graduate Program students who are making satisfactory progress toward a Ph.D. degree generally receive five academic years of graduate assistantship support subject to the availability of funding.  Students are paid a stipend plus full tuition and subsidized health insurance including subsidized dependent and dental care. The student is expected to pay a small percent of the insurance premium rate.

Students wishing to seek a Masters degree need to identify a faculty advisor in the graduate program before joining the program.  A list of faculty and their research interests are located on our web site.

Funding sources may come from research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships.  While your assistantship will cover your tuition and provide a waiver of the non-resident tuition, it will not cover student fees.  You will be responsible to pay the student services fee (approximately $400-500 per semester), and any course or laboratory fees as required by specific courses.  Students are encouraged to apply for individual fellowships as well.  These are important career honors to have listed on your resume!  Please visit the PBS web site that lists several fellowship and scholarship opportunities.

Graduate program information

What research opportunities are available for doctoral/masters studies?

The Graduate Program in Plant Biological Sciences provides education in the basic plant sciences and opportunity for fundamental research in areas ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem level.  This interdepartmental program has participants from the departments of Agronomy and Plant Genetics; Biochemistry; Biology-U of MN-Duluth; Ecology, Evolution and Behavior; Forest Resources; Genetics and Cell Biology; Horticultural Science; Plant Biology; Plant Pathology; Soil, Water and Climate; three colleges (College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Science; College of Biological Sciences; and Natural Resources) as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Experiment Station, the USDA Forest Service/ North Central Research Station, and the U of MN Lake Itasca Forestry and Biological Station.  Visit the our list of faculty and their research interests. 

Tell me about the doctoral and masters program and the campus.

The Plant Biological Sciences Graduate Program is an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental program offering Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in a broad range of plant biology research areas with primary emphasis on Ph.D training.  The graduate program was established to provide students with:

• An excellent educational and research experience
• The opportunity to work with faculty on a broad range of cutting-edge research topics in Plant Biology
• Skills and opportunities to conduct independent research
• Exposure to the international plant science research community through seminars  and colloquia

Recently, we have grown substantially through recruiting new topnotch faculty, development of state of the art technical support facilities, and the completion of the Microbial and Plant Genomics Building. The PBS program is designed to provide our graduate students with cutting-edge research opportunities to allow them to achieve their career goals.

If you are going to be on campus, please let us know, and we will assist you with setting up an informative and enjoyable day.

The program will host a recruitment weekend generally in late Janaury.  You will be notified by email with an invitation.  Due to visa issues and costs, only domestic students will be invited to attend the open house.

Contact Information 

Plant Biological Sciences Graduate Program
University of Minnesota
1445 Gortner Avenue, Room 256 Biosciences Center
St. Paul, MN  55108

Phone:  612-625-4222
Email:  pbiogp@umn.edu
Web Site:  http://www.cbs.umn.edu/plantbio/gradprog

We hope you have found this information helpful.  If your question was not answered above, please contact us and we will send you and individual reply.