MS in Biological Sciences Admissions Information

Guidelines and Information

Applicants must:

  • hold a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences or related major
  • have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)

Completed applications to the M.S. in Biological Sciences will include each of the following items:

Resume
Submitted directly via the online application.

Statement of intent
The "Statement of intent" for the M.S. in Biological Sciences requires students to answer the following questions and also imposes a 500 word maximum for each question.

  • Why do you want to join Fordham's Graduate Biology Program?
  • How will a Graduate degree in Biology help you in your career goals?
  • Describe your research experiences to date.
  • Describe your research interest.

Official transcripts
Please be sure to order official final transcripts from all previously attended institutions confirming degree conferral (if applicable) at least one month before the posted application deadline. Transcripts should be sent directly from your prior institution(s) via secure electronic delivery to the Office of Admissions at [email protected].

If electronic delivery is not available, please request that your transcripts be submitted by postal service in a sealed envelope from the institution to:

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Office of Admissions
Keating Hall Room 216
Fordham University
441 E. Fordham Rd.
Bronx, NY 10458

Please note: We strongly recommend that you upload unofficial copies of your academic transcripts to your application while the Office of Admissions awaits receipt of your official transcripts. 

Please ensure that all official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions are submitted in English, or are accompanied by a certified English translation. For academic transcripts from institutions outside the United States, applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain a course-by-course credential evaluation. Transcripts and credentials conversion information is available on the GSAS International Students page.

Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores
GRE scores are optional for both the Ph.D and M.A. programs for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. Applicants who wish to submit GRE scores may do so, but scores are not required (scores should be sent directly by the testing service to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Fordham University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences – Code #2259).

Three letters of recommendation
Submitted directly via the online application. Enter the following information for each of your recommendation providers: name, address, email address, phone number, and institution. Make sure you enter your recommenders' email addresses correctly so that they each receive an automated email instructing them on how to submit their recommendations online. Mark the waiver statement for each recommender you enter.

English Proficiency

 

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to complete and submit to GSAS prior to matriculation their official scores from one of the following accepted English language competency exams:

Official TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE Academic scores should be sent directly by the testing service to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Fordham University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (our ETS Code for TOEFL scores is 2259). Please consult the English Proficiency page for additional information.

Preferred minimum score requirements:

Exam Score
TOEFL iBT 100
IELTS 7.0 band score
DET 120
PTE Academic 68

Contact [email protected] with any admission-related questions.

We encourage questions and requests for guidance or information by email to either Professor Steven Franks, Department Chair ([email protected]), or Associate Professor Qize Wei, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies ([email protected]).