How to Apply: PhD Cancer Biology Program

Applications are submitted to the “Molecular and Cellular Biosciences” track within the Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which brings together 6 biomedical programs, including Cancer Biology. The Molecular and Cellular Biosciences website contains information on admission, curriculum, research and applications, as well as contact information.

Complete applications include:

Personal statement outlining area(s) of interest and describing your
research experience
Resume or CV
Official transcript(s)
GRE (and TOEFL report for international students)
Three letters of recommendation

The application deadline is December 1.

Online Applications

Online applications can be submitted at:http://graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/onlineapp.html

Recruitment

The program accepts students with a variety of undergraduate degrees, including majors in the biological sciences and chemistry. Applicants successfully complete courses in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and mathematics through calculus.

Criteria for Acceptance

The Graduate Program Recruitment Committee evaluates applications. A decision is made whether to consider the applicant for admission based on the quality of the:

Undergraduate training record
Grade point average
Verbal and quantitative scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in the case of applicants for whom English is not the native language
Letters of reference
Statement of personal interests

Interview

Qualified applicants are encouraged to visit Wake Forest School of Medicine for an interview during the process of consideration. Major criteria for evaluation of the interview are the degree of motivation for a career in science and the quality and extent of the applicant’s undergraduate scientific training.

Institutional Fellowships

Applicants that meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School and whom the committee wishes to accept are nominated for institutional fellowships, which are awarded by the Biomedical Graduate Studies Program. Once a student has selected a dissertation laboratory, every effort will be made to use research funds for stipend support so that institutional funds can be made available for new applicants to the graduate school. Institutional support for any student will be provided for a period not to exceed four years under normal circumstances.

Orientation

Graduate studies begin in early August with a general orientation that is organized by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. This orientation period will allow students to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings, learn about activities within the Graduate School, obtain badges to gain access to research facilities and visit the Human Resource Department. Students will also attend the required Environmental Health and Safety and HIPAA Training, and learn about Scientific Integrity.

The students will obtain their laptop computer and Medical Center ID during the orientation.

Students will be matched with current students who will assist in relocation and any other issues and questions the incoming student might have.

Laboratory Techniques

Following orientation is a short laboratory techniques course that is organized by students of the department. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to attend the Cancer Biology departmental retreat to learn about ongoing research that will facilitate their choosing of rotation laboratories. All activities during orientation are mandatory.