|  APPLICATION PROCESS
The primary mission of the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program is the training of research scientists. Candidates expressing interest in the EEB program are evaluated by faculty and the EEB Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC). An applicant's research and academic potential is judged using many different criteria. No one criterion automatically includes or excludes a student; weakness by one criterion can be counterbalanced by strengths in others. However, we do expect that the majority of the admission criteria will indicate high potential to conduct independent, creative research.
Applications for FALL 2009 must be received by DECEMBER 15, 2008
- Late or incomplete applications may only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
- Incomplete applications are not eligible to be nominated for First Year Graduate Student Fellowships
- The completed application must be accompanied by a non refundable $70 fee.
- All supplemental material should be sent to the Graduate Division
- School code for EEB is the same as UCSC: 4860.
Applications are submitted online as early as October 1st.
The two materials that you can not submit online are the transcripts and GRE scores. Supplemental materials not submitted electronically (GRE scores, transcripts) should be mailed to Graduate Applications Processing, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 and not to the department. Applicants must notify ETS to send their official GRE scores to UCSC. On the application, applicants can self-report GRE scores. The only supporting material that applicants mail in directly to Graduate Applications Processing is all official transcripts.
Admission Criteria
The list of criteria is not exhaustive and is not ranked in order of importance. Our admission procedures concentrate on identification of individuals likely to complete a graduate degree (PhD or MA) successfully within the resources and scope of the EEB program.
Admission Criteria for Ph.D. and M.A. Program
- Undergraduate record: overall GPA and grades in relevant courses
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: general AND subject (Biology or Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular subject exam). Applicants are strongly urged to take their GRE exams as early as possible so results are in by the application review period.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Foreign applicants from countries where English is not the primary language MUST take this exam. A minimal score of 550 on the TOEFL is required for admission.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Research experience: Most successful candidates have demonstrated research experience, which may be either academic or professional in nature.
- Areas of interest as put forth in the applicant's personal statement
Online Supplemental Application Page
Applications are submitted online through the EMBARK database system as early as October 1. Applications and supporting material are due in the Graduate Division office on December 15. This year the department has incorporated a supplemental page into the UCSC application form to assist with applicant review. Please review the supplemental application page found on page 7 of the online application form.
All applicants should fill out the Research Emphasis and Section Two of the supplemental page. Applicants interested in the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship should complete section Three of the supplemental form, and those interested in the STEPS fellowship should complete Section Four. Please email the graduate coordinator your response to the Research Emphasis section, Section Three and Section Four.
Application Review Process
Applications are submitted online to the Graduate Division with a December 15th deadline. After the application deadline, all admission files are forwarded to the EEB faculty for initial review of the applicant pool. During this time the faculty will nominate students they would like the department to admit, and the EEB-Graduate Advisory Committee will review the files of all nominees to ensure they meet the standards of the department. The top ranked applicants may be contacted by telephone and offered the chance to visit. Because admission into our program is via faculty sponsorship, we strongly encourage applicants to make contact with faculty members whose research interests match their own prior to the submission of their application.
Late GRE Scores
Application and supplemental materials are due to the Graduate Division by December 15th.
Why should you submit your materials on time (in the Graduate Division office by December deadline)?
- Space is limited in our graduate program.
- The EEB Faculty and the Graduate Advisory Committee can not determine the status of your application until all materials have been submitted to the Graduate Division.
- There is no guarantee your application will make it into the initial applicant pool review.
- Applicants who submit late supplemental material are not eligible to be reviewed/nominated for the
- First-Year Graduate Student Fellowships. First-Year Graduate Student Fellowship nominations occur in the first week of January. You should have your application, fellowship letters of intent, GRE scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation in before January to be considered for these fellowships.
If you must submit your score after December 15th please send a copy of your official score no later than January 15th to the Graduate Division, and FAX a copy of your official scores to the Graduate Advisor in EEB.
EEB Graduate Coordinator Fax: 831-459-5353
Subject GRE exams are only offered three times a year so plan wisely. The computerized version of the general GRE exam is offered almost everyday of the year. Please refer to the GRE.org website for specific exam dates and times. Competitive GRE scores enable you to apply for fellowships such as the NSF Predoctoral Fellowship, EPA Start Fellowship, and the Chancellor's Fellowship.
UCSC Undergraduates
UCSC undergraduates are encouraged to leave to pursue their research careers elsewhere. However, if EEB-GAC Admissions is satisfied that it is in the best interests of both the student and the program, a UCSC undergraduate may be accepted into the graduate program.
Foreign Applicants
EEB welcomes the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds brought by foreign students. Please keep in mind that unlike U.S. citizens, foreign students' out-of-state tuition costs remain in effect for the full duration of their time in the program. Because of the department’s limited ability to cover these costs, the department must review what additional funding the student brings in through scholarships, fellowships and grants. In order to obtain a fee subsidy from the university, foreign students pursuing Ph.D. degrees will be encouraged to advance to candidacy in their second year, after successful completion of the Oral Qualifying Examination. NonResident Fees and Cost of Living in Santa Cruz, CA
Foreign applicants admitted into the EEB graduate program and eligible for a nonimmigrant student visa must submit the Foreign Applicant Financial Certificate form to the Graduate Division. Students admitted into the program must verify the first academic year (and subsequent years) for tuition, fees and living expenses with the Graduate Division:
Transfer and Part-Time Applicants
It is possible, though rare, in the EE Biology graduate program to be accepted as a part-time or transfer student from another Ph.D. program. Part-Time and Transfer students are to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students interested in either option should contact the faculty member whose lab they wish to apply to for graduate school.
Admission Notification
Admission offers may be sent as early as mid-February and continue through early April. Students have until April 15th to reply with their acceptance of admission to the Graduate Division.
Have a Question?
Please review our FAQ page for common questions asked by prospective students.
Application Questions: Contact the Graduate Admissions Office, 831-459-4975
Research Questions: Contact the EEB faculty
Graduate Program/Admission Questions: Contact the EEB Graduate Coordinator, 831-459-2193
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