How to apply

Step 1

Establish an account through the online application (first time users must create an account). To choose the iBio program, select "Graduate College," then choose "Integrated Biology (Biology)" when asked for the department/program.

The application fee is $60 for domestic applicants and $100 for international students. You must pay your application fee online with your credit card. Your application will not be processed until your non-refundable application fee has been paid. 

Within two business days of completing the first part of the application and paying the application fee, you will receive an email link that will direct you to the second part of the application process. In the second part of the application, you will upload your relevant documentation (i.e. transcripts, resume/CV, Statement of Interest, etc.). 

At any point during the online application, you can save and return to it at a later time up until you submit your application. Only one application may be uploaded per email address. 

Please have the following information ready before continuing with step 2 in the online application process:

• The names and e-mail addresses of your three references
• Transcripts (official or unofficial)
• TOEFL score (only required if you are an international student)
• A CV or resume (in PDF format) that you can upload to our website when prompted.

*Please note that GRE scores are no longer required. You may provide unofficial/self-reported standardized test scores (GRE, MCAT, or equivalent and/or TOEFL) and transcripts. However, if you are offered admission, official test scores and academic records from each college/university you attended must be sent to the University of Iowa Office of Admissions.

Enrollment Management
The University of Iowa
2900 University Capitol Centre
201 S. Clinton St. 
Iowa City, IA  52242
Phone: 319-335-3847
Email: admissions@uiowa.edu

The University of Iowa and department/program codes for the GRE and TOEFL scores are as follows: the University of Iowa code is 6681 (for both the GRE and TOEFL) and the department/program code is 0203 (for the GRE) and 35 (for the TOEFL). 

Step 2

Return to your online application account (which you established in step 1) and follow the instructions for providing us your TOEFL (if applicable) scores, Statement of Purpose, CV or resume, and the names of three people who will provide letters of recommendation. 

*If you experience problems completing form fields in the browser, save the file to your computer and complete it using a PDF editor (i.e. Adobe or Preview). 

• Research Experience and Future Goals: Please use the attached form or your own of similar format to discuss your professional interests, special abilities, previous research accomplishments, and your goals. Provide a specific statement describing how a graduate education in the area of your current disciplinary interest relates to your goals. Upload the document (a PDF file format is required) through the "Other Documents" option on the online application.
• Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV): Please upload your resume/CV in a PDF file format through the "Other Documents" option on the online application.
• Recommendation letters: Three recommendation letters are required as part of the application. On the application, you will list three recommenders (preferably faculty) that can speak to your academic or research capabilities along with their email addresses.  Once you complete the application, the recommenders will be sent an email with instructions on how to submit their letter of recommendation.
• Students applying to the iBio Program must also complete the Supplemental Data Form (basic demographic information) when prompted.
• Other supporting documents, including but not limited to publications, may be submitted through the "Other Documents" option but are not required.

The iBio Program Admissions Committee and participating faculty will begin reviewing applications around Dec. 1. The deadline for submission of your materials is January 1 for Ph.D students and May 1 for M.S. students.  

After reviewing your application materials, individuals that are a good fit for our program will be contacted for an interview. Interviews for international applicants will be conducted virtually via zoom, all others will be invited for an in-person campus visit in February. Following the interview, the faculty and the Graduate Recruiting and Admissions Committee will make a final decision on admission. 

We aim to issue the first round of admissions decisions no later than April 1 and to finalize all admissions decisions by May 1.  If you have not received notification by that date, please reach out to us at ibio@uiowa.edu to check the status of your application. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort you invested in your  application. If you are not admitted this year, we encourage you to apply again in the future.  

Requirements for admission

Successful PhD and MS students will typically have 20 s.h. of coursework in biology, including one semester of fundamental genetics:

Successful PhD applicants typically have:

• Undergraduate GPA of > 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
• Substantial independent research experience.

• Most or all of these recommended undergraduate courses: one year of college physics, one year of organic chemistry and/or biochemistry, one semester of calculus or upper level statistics, and one semester of fundamental genetics.

  Students who have not completed the above requirements should complete them for a letter grade by the close of summer of the 1st year.
  Note: Submission of GRE scores is not required, although these can be provided if available.

Applications will be reviewed holistically, recognizing that applicants have different areas of strength. Factors considered in the review process include undergraduate academic performance (emphasis on grades for science courses), previous research experience, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and fit within the research interests of faculty within the department. Standardized test scores (such as GRE, MCAT, or equivalent) are not required but will be considered when provided by the applicant.

Competitive candidates residing in the U.S. will be invited for an interview weekend in February at the expense of the iBio Program. To be selected for an interview, your application must be complete including: 

• Statement of interest/research
• Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Three recommendation letters
• Transcripts
• International students must also submit an English proficiency score

Applicants may be notified about acceptance shortly after the scheduled visit. Offers made by April 1 require students to notify the department of their decision by April 15.  offer to applicants on our waiting list will be made by May 1. 

MS applicants

Prior to formally applying to the MS program through the Office of Admissions (and paying the requisite application fee), MS applicants must correspond with and receive an invitation to affiliate with a specific laboratory from a Department of Biology faculty member. This may entail sending informal transcripts/grade reports and requested documentation to the faculty member. Invitations from the proposed faculty mentor are conditional upon the approval of the formal application by the department's Graduate Admissions Committee. The completed application submission deadline is May 1.

International PhD or MS applicants

Students whose first language is not English are advised to review the English language proficiency recommendations for prospective applicants. Teaching Assistant (TA) appointments require certification of English proficiency. Typically, international students admitted to the iBio program will have high TOEFL scores (at least 90 overall on the internet-based test (iBT), and a speaking score of 22 or greater).