No, submitting GRE Scores is optional. It will not hurt your application, if you choose not to submit it.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department offers a graduate assistantship to all admitted PhD students for the duration of the program as long as they are in good standing. There is no separate application. Unfortunately, Master’s students must find external funding.

The Graduate School at the University of Maryland has a requirement that a student’s GPA is at least a 3.0 (out of 4). In some cases, students with slightly lower GPAs are offered admission, based on other favorable aspects of their applications.

Applicants interested in applying for the Fall 2024 term must submit all application materials by December 15, 2023.

No, we do not offer admissions for the Spring semester. You will need to apply for the Fall semester.

Yes, we want to know the type of research you are interested in pursuing in graduate school. This information is not binding, but helps us assess overlap of your application with our program.

No, research publications are not required for admission, but they are one way to demonstrate your previous success in research. Other examples are attending scientific meetings, giving research talks, winning awards, and, of course, a letter of recommendation from your research advisor. If you have not had an opportunity to do research, you can demonstrate your interest in your Statement of Purpose. Getting a letter of recommendation from a professor in a laboratory or computational course will give us information about your technical skills.

In some cases, we arrange online interviews with prospective students to find out more about their interests and plans.

Yes, admitted students need to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. This is accomplished by either earning a degree from a US academic institution or any institution on this list or students can pass a language proficiency exam such as TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. See the Graduate School's site here for more information.

The most influential letters of recommendation come from experienced scientists and teachers who can assess your abilities in relation to a large cohort of your peers. Good resources are professors in STEM courses or research mentors who can comment on your academic performance, your ability to overcome challenges, and your potential for pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry. In some cases, if you have worked in a science-related field, a letter from your supervisor would be appropriate.

Please explain in detail any research experience you may have. This should include any independent research conducted (including those for a class or for a thesis), research assistantships, or internships where your primary role was assisting others in their research. If you were assisting others with their research, be sure to comment on the nature of this research (academic, policy-oriented, etc.) and your contribution. You should also elaborate on your research interests in your field and, if applicable, how these are shaped by your prior research experience.