University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Office of Research and Graduate Education

Biomedical Sciences Flex Option (Ph.D.)

Program of Study

The Biomedical Sciences Flex Option is designed to offer an eclectic research experience to first year doctoral students, with maximum flexibility in the choice of research areas, prior to the selection of a graduate program and area of dissertation research.

We are looking for highly competitive students to take advantage of this new opportunity. Successful Applicants will be invited to visit the college at our expense, to participate in interviews with faculty who represent graduate programs across the College of Medicine. Those who are not selected for a position in the Flex Option may be considered for a position in one of the other doctoral programs in biomedical sciences at the College of Medicine. 

Application Process

UC Graduate School Application is required

• Application Deadline: Jan. 1 (applications which are still incomplete after Jan 1 are not guaranteed consideration)
• Apply online at: www.grad.uc.edu/admissions/gradapp.cfm or send via US mail to The Graduate School
• Select Biomedical Sciences Flex Option for Graduate Major (code: BSFO)

Application/Fee:

• Online: You may pay the $40 application fee by credit card online
• By Mail: You may submit the fee in the form of a check or money order (do not send cash) made payable to the University of Cincinnati

The Good News:

When you register for classes in the Fall, your application fee will be refunded to you. If you applied to more than one program, you will receive a refund only for the fee paid for the Flex Option if that is the program you are entering.

GRE Scores:

Have scores reported to:
The Graduate School
University of Cincinnati
Inst. Code 1833
Dept. Code 0699

TOEFL Scores:

If your native language is not English, you are required to submit TOEFL exam scores. Please send scores to:
The Graduate School
P.O. Box 210627
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0627

Test of Spoken English (TSE):

Is not required for admission to the Flex Option.

Supplemental Documents should be sent directly to the Flex Program, including:

Essay/personal statement about your research and career goals, and why you have chosen the Flex Option.

Official Transcripts from every undergraduate institution attended (Please note: if your Fall transcripts are not available until after Jan. 1, please send updated transcripts as soon as they become available.  All documents must be received by Feb. 1)

Letters of Recommendation from at least 2 people qualified to assess your ability to succeed in graduate school and your commitment to research.

Send the documents above to:
Biomedical Sciences Flex Option
Office of Research and Graduate Education
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
P.O. Box 670555 (or 231 Albert Sabin Way; Room E452)
Cincinnati, OH  45267-0555

Interviews

If the Admissions Committee selects you for an interview, you will be invited to attend Interview Days for the Flex Option at our expense.  You will spend a couple of days (usually in February) meeting faculty and graduate students and getting to know the college, the city, and our program.  You will have 2 or 3 meetings with members of the faculty, including one with the Associate Dean, Dr. Robert Highsmith. You will also get to see some of the laboratories and other facilities on campus. While you are here, you will stay at the Kingsgate Marriott Hotel, located at the UC Medical Center, next to our Vontz Center for Molecular Studies.

For more information, please contact:
Laura Hildreth, Assistant Dean
(513) 558-6791
hildrele@uc.edu