Application Process

Admission Requirements for the Doctoral Program

Thank you for your interest in the Cancer & Cell Biology PhD Program at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine. Accepting applications for the CCB PhD and Master of Science programs starting August 1 for admission consideration for the following Fall.

Deadline: December 1 (Applications received by November 1 will be considered for early interviews and admission decision).

Apply Here

Step-by-Step Instructions for the CCB Admission Application (2024) (PDF)

The Cancer & Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis during the application window. We have limited slots available in the program and encourage students to apply early to remain competitive. 

After a thorough screening of applications, personal interviews will be arranged for a select group of competitive candidates, typically in January or February. Some interviews will be on campus while others will be conducted electronically. The interview serves as an opportunity for the applicant to meet faculty and graduate students, to see the Program’s research facilities, and for members of the Program to evaluate the prospective student.

While we use grades and test scores as part of our ranking process, we give greatest emphasis to the candidate’s personal statement, research experience, letters of recommendation, and interviews. For select candidates, an “offer of admission” will be made between January and April of the spring prior to the summer admission. The program begins in July. New students are only admitted once per year.

Admission Requirements

• Frequently Asked Questions about UC’s Admission Process.
• Completed application through University of Cincinnati’s application management system. There is a $65 application fee. There is an additional $5 fee for international applicants. 
• Baccalaureate degree earned by July 1^st.
• At least one letter of recommendation, ideally from someone who can attest to your research experience, academic accomplishments, potential, and character. Up to three letters will be accepted for review.
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Strong background in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics and Mathematics
• Overall GPA of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0)
• Highly motivated toward research
• Personal Statement about your desire to pursue a graduate degree in Cancer and Cell Biology.
• A valid GRE General Test score or MCAT score is highly recommended but not required. (Institution Code 1833 for GRE)
• Highly recommended that you submit the optional Video Essay as part of the application portal. The video poses a prompt to which you have two minutes to formulate a response, then record your response with a webcam. The recording is limited to one minute. The last recording made will be submitted as part of your application. 
• If you are provided an offer of admission, send your official academic transcripts to the Graduate College. Unofficial scores may be used during the application process. The “Regular US postal mail” address is below. View more information for sending options.

International Requirement

In addition to the requirements above, international students have several testing options to prove English proficiency. Test scores are only valid for two (2) years.*Please note that our program requires higher minimum scores than the general Graduate School requirements and we will not be able to review applications for which official scores have not been received. View more exceptions to the English Proficiency Requirement.

Cancer & Cell Biology minimum scores accepted as proof of English proficiency: 

• TOEFL: minimum score of 80 iBT
  • In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted. TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted. 
• IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall band 
  • In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted
• Duolingo (DET): 
  • Spring 2023 & Summer 2023 --> minimum score of 105
  • Fall 2023 & onwards --> minimum score of 110
• PTE: 
  • Spring 2023 & Summer 2023 --> minimum score of 47
  • Fall 2023 & onwards --> minimum score of 54

How to submit your test scores

• All test scores received must be official, meaning they have been sent directly to UC from the testing company.
• IELTS

  The Graduate School downloads IELTS scores that have been transmitted to its e-download account. Contact your test center and request that your scores be sent to the following IELTS e-download account:

  Graduate School
  University of Cincinnati
  110 Van Wormer Hall
  P.O. Box 210627
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627

• TOEFL

  On the day of your test, provide Institution Code 1833 for your scores to be sent. If you took the test on a previous date, contact ETS directly to have your scores sent to UC’s Graduate School.

Additional Resources

• Apply to the University of Cincinnati
• Admission Application fee waiver
• Official Transcript Submission Policy for Enrollment

Admission Requirements for the Master's Program

Accepting applications for the CCB PhD and Master of Science programs starting August 1 for admission consideration for the following Fall.

Deadline: May 1 (Admission applications to the CCB MS program are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will stop reviewing applications once all of the slots are filled. For this reason, we encourage applicants to apply early to remain competitive.)

Apply Here

Step-by-Step Instructions for the CCB Masters Degree Program Admission Application (2024) (PDF)

The Cancer & Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee will review applications on a rolling basis during the application window. All required materials must be submitted online to the University of Cincinnati Graduate School by May 1^st. We have limited slots available in the program and encourage you to apply early to remain competitive.

After a thorough screening of applications, personal interviews will be arranged for a select group of competitive candidates, typically in May or June. Some interviews will be on campus while others will be conducted electronically. The interview serves as an opportunity for the applicant to meet faculty and graduate students, to see the Program’s research facilities, and for members of the Program to evaluate the prospective student.

While we use grades and test scores as part of our ranking process, we give greatest emphasis to the candidate’s personal statement, research experience, letters of recommendation, and interviews. For select candidates, an “offer of admission” will be made between May and July prior to the fall semester admission. The program begins the first day of the fall semester. Refer to Academic Calendars posted on UC’s Office of the Registrar. New students are only admitted once per year.

Admission Requirements

• Frequently Asked Questions about UC’s Admission Process.
• Completed application through University of Cincinnati’s application management system. There is a $65 application fee. There is an additional $5 fee for international applicants. 
• Baccalaureate degree earned by Summer before admission into the MS program.
• At least one letter of recommendation, ideally from someone who can attest to your research experience, academic accomplishments, potential, and character. Up to three letters will be accepted for review.
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Strong background in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics and Mathematics
• Overall GPA of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0)
• Highly motivated toward research
• Personal Statement about your desire to pursue a graduate degree in Cancer and Cell Biology.
• Optional:
  • A valid GRE General Test score is not required but highly recommended (Institution Code 1833 for GRE)
  • Submit Video Essay as part of the application portal. The video poses a prompt to which you have two minutes to formulate a response, then record your response with a webcam. The recording is limited to one minute. The last recording made will be submitted as part of your application. 
• If you are provided an offer of admission, send your official academic transcripts to the Graduate College. Unofficial scores may be used during the application process. The “Regular US postal mail” address is below. View more information for sending options.

International Requirement

In addition to the requirements above, international students have several testing options to prove English proficiency. Test scores are only valid for two (2) years.*Please note that our program requires higher minimum scores than the general Graduate School requirements and we will not be able to review applications for which official scores have not been received. View more exceptions to the English Proficiency Requirement.

Cancer & Cell Biology minimum scores accepted as proof of English Proficiency:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 80 iBT
• • In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted. TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted. 
• IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall band 
  • In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted
• Duolingo (DET): 
  • Spring 2023 & Summer 2023 --> minimum score of 105
  • Fall 2023 & onwards --> minimum score of 110
• PTE: 
  • Spring 2023 & Summer 2023 --> minimum score of 47
  • Fall 2023 & onwards --> minimum score of 54

How to submit your test scores

• All test scores received must be official, meaning they have been sent directly to UC from the testing company.
• IELTS

  The Graduate School downloads IELTS scores that have been transmitted to its e-download account. Contact your test center and request that your scores be sent to the following IELTS e-download account:

  Graduate School
  University of Cincinnati
  110 Van Wormer Hall
  P.O. Box 210627
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627

• TOEFL

  On the day of your test, provide Institution Code 1833 for your scores to be sent. If you took the test on a previous date, contact ETS directly to have your scores sent to UC’s Graduate School.

Additional Resources

• Apply to the University of Cincinnati
• Admission Application fee waiver
• Official Transcript Submission Policy for Enrollment