APPLICATIONS TO THE CANCER BIOLOGY PROGRAM

APPLICATION

Applications are submitted to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  Their web site contains on-line application forms, recommendation forms and other information needed for consideration.   

In addition, the Cancer Biology program has a Request for Information form that is used to obtain further information on the program and to provide first student information to the program.  The online form can be found here:

Request for Information

A full application to the Graduate School is still needed. 

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: 

         http://graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/ 

Students can also apply by regular mail. 

Checklist for submission                  On-Line                       Printed

                                                      Submission                 Submission

1.   Application Form                     On-Line +                    Packet + 

2.   Statement of Interest                On-Line +                    Packet + 

3.   Recommendation Forms                                              Packet +

      (3 sealed envelopes) 

4.   Official Transcripts                                                       Packet +

      (Sealed envelopes) 

5.   Application Fee                                                           Packet +

          $60.00  

6.   Signature Page                                                             NA +

7.   Official Test Scores

General (GRE)                           Separate Mailing         Separate Mailing

The application deadline is January 15.

Application are sent to

Dean of the Graduate School

Wake Forest University

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Biomedical Sciences, Bowman Gray Campus

Medical Center Boulevard

Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1001 

RECRUITMENT

The program accepts students with a variety of undergraduate degrees including majors in the biological sciences and chemistry.  Applicants have usually successfully completed courses in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and mathematics through calculus. 

      Applications are evaluated by the Graduate Program Recruitment Committee.  A decision is made whether to consider the applicant for admission based on the quality of the undergraduate training record and grade point average, the verbal and quantitative scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in the case of applicants for whom English is not the native language, letters of reference, and a statement of personal interests. 

      Qualified applicants are encouraged to visit Wake Forest University School of Medicine for an interview during the process of consideration.  Major criteria for evaluation of the interview are the degree of motivation for a career in science and the quality and extent of the applicant’s undergraduate scientific training.  Applicants that meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School and whom the committee wishes to accept are nominated for institutional fellowships, which are awarded by the Biomedical Graduate Studies Program.  Once a student has selected a dissertation laboratory, every effort will be made to use research funds for stipend support so that institutional funds can be made available for new applicants to the graduate school.  Institutional support for any student will be provided for a period not to exceed four years under normal circumstances. 

ORIENTATION 

Graduate Studies begin in early August with a general orientation that is organized by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  This orientation period will allow students to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings, learn about activities within the Graduate School, obtain badges to gain access to research facilities and visit the Human Resource Department.  Students will also attend the required Environmental Health and Safety and HIPAA Training and learn about Scientific Integrity.

The students will obtain their laptop computer and Medical Center ID during the orientation. 

Students will be matched with current students who will assist in relocation and any other issues and questions the incoming student might have. 

Orientation is followed by a short laboratory techniques course that is organized by students of the department.  In addition, students are strongly encouraged to attend the Cancer Biology departmental retreat to learn about ongoing research that will facilitate their choosing of rotation laboratories.  All activities during orientation are mandatory.