Application

The application deadline for 2010 admission has now passed. If you have questions regarding admission to our program, please contact us.

THE APPLICATION WEB SITE

Applicants to our program are frequently also interested in the program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the program in Medical Physics, which are accessed through the BSD multi-program application. If you have questions about which program is most appropriate, definitely contact the programs directly for advice (to contact Biophysical Sciences email biophysics@uchicago.edu).

Applicants to Biophysical Sciences are also frequently interested in some of the other Physical Sciences Programs here (e.g. Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics). The Physical Sciences Division does not have a group application, but prospective students are welcome to submit applications to any specific programs. It is in the applicant’s best interest to contact all of the involved programs during the application process.

Biophysical Sciences students are required to take graduate level courses in the physical sciences - the same courses that are required of the graduate students in those disciplines. For example, many students choose to take "Statistical Thermodynamics" with the graduate students in the Chemistry program in their first term. These are intensely challenging, advanced courses that do not spend any time on subject review or the mathematical underpinings. Therefore, we carefully consider applicants' ability to participate in such courses when making our admissions decisions. Applicants who have not majored in a physical discipline need to explicitly discuss their qualifications for such work. For exceptional students with Biological Sciences backgrounds, the University of Chicago offers several graduate programs (accessed through the Biological Sciences Division) that include interdisciplinary training in the physical sciences.

Application Advice

Our admissions committee considers all aspects of the application in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant. We want to receive your most compelling argument for admission. The following elements are frequently the most important in our decisions.

  1. The Letters of Recommendation. We are looking for scientists who will participate in and improve our scientific environment. Your letters should reflect your ability to be involved with and make a good impression on our academic colleagues. While the stature of the individual can help your case, it is more important that they indicate detailed familiarity with your abilities. We hope that your recommenders’ letters will help us to see your broad enthusiasm for scientific subjects as well as your specific intellectual merits. In the application, you are required to supply the name, institution, department, and email address of each recommender. The University will directly solicit the letters. Make sure your recommenders have been alerted beforehand. It is perfectly acceptable for you to discuss the content of the letter in advance. You will get better letters if you talk with the person about where you are applying and why you are excited about the options.
  2. Your Statement of Academic Purpose. This essay, and your cover letter, are your opportunity to show off your ability to communicate clearly. At the same time, these documents are our opportunity to understand why you want to join us and what you will contribute if you do. The substance that is most often lacking from these essays is evidence. When you make statements about yourself, back these up with examples from your life. Remember that you are setting forth an argument. If your academic history is not already cross-disciplinary then pay particular attention to demonstrating the breadth of your interests. The electronic application will only accept 2500 words (as counted by e.g. Microsoft Word). We agree that this should be sufficient. In special circumstances, we may allow supplemental discussions, by prearrangement.
  3. College Transcripts. Again, we are hoping to find the examples of your broad enthusiasm. While your Grade Point Average is important, it isn’t as telling as the choices you have made for each term’s enrollment. Feel free to elaborate on these choices in your Statement of Purpose.
  4. GRE scores. High GRE scores are great. High GRE scores make it easier for us to justify choosing you to outside funding agencies. High GRE scores make it more likely that you will win competitive fellowships in the future. If your GRE scores are high, congratulations are in order. Unfortunately, GRE scores do not help us understand your reasons for wanting to join us and do not predict whether you will make positive contributions if you do. We happily look past lower scores if you (and your recommenders) do a good job of making a strong case for your admission. We require one subject test as well as the general GRE exams. You should take whichever subject exam best illustrates your mastery of a scientific curriculum.
  5. Overseas students: To our considerable disappointment, current funding policies in the United States limit our ability to support non-US citizens. Please contact us (biophysics@uchicago.edu) for more information. Besides a few exceptional cases, we will only consider applicants who can interview here in person, so evaluate your ability to travel to the United States before applying.