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Admissions and Application Process

Submission deadlines and applicant review timeline

Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is recognized as a center of excellence in training a diverse biomedical research workforce. We seek students who have strong background in the basic sciences and prior research experience. Ensure you are prepared and learn more about our submission items and deadlines.

Timeline Action
Sept. 1 - Dec. 4 Application window
Dec. 4 Applications with missing application materials are sent declination letters.
Dec. 5 - January Track admissions committees review completed applications.

Selected applicants are invited to interview.
January - February Interviews take place.
Feb. 1 Initial declinations are emailed to those no longer being considered.
March - April Initial appointment letters are emailed to candidates selected for the program.
April - May Final decisions are communicated.
April - June Onboarding process begins for new cohort.
July New cohort orientation.

Required courses begin.
August Students start first lab rotation.

Prerequisites and requirements

Review the academic prerequisites for students applying for admission to the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

How to apply

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received between Sept. 1 through Dec. 4, including letters of recommendation. 

There is no application fee for applying to our Ph.D. program.

You can only apply to one research track of interest for each admission cycle. Applicants selected for the program may have the opportunity to do research in any Mayo Clinic research lab regardless of track choice.

When you apply to the program you need to select a location where you plan to study: Jacksonville, Florida; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona; or Rochester, Minnesota. Please note: if you are appointed to the program, a campus change is allowed if the research lab you ultimately select after the required lab rotations is on a different campus. 

Required application documents

The following items, including all letters of recommendation, must be received by the application deadline of Dec. 4 within the Supplemental Items and Documents area of the application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Holistic review

Our Ph.D. program prepares students to translate scientific discoveries into applications that improve patient care. This requires a wide range of skills, aptitudes, and characteristics. Along with the basic set of prerequisites, the track admissions committees take a holistic approach to admissions; meaning, they take into consideration the many factors that make up an applicant. These acceptance factors include:

  • Academic performance
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Research experience

Campus interviews

Interviews allow us to meet the applicants we have read so much about! These interviews also allow applicants to meet the admissions committee members, current students, and some of their potential classmates. We are happy to answer all your questions and look forward to meeting you.

"So many different kinds of opportunities"

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"So many different kinds of opportunities"