Applications to the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences are accepted in seven programs for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Additionally, the school accepts applications for two Master of Science programs.
An applicant must:
- have a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing,
- have adequate preparation in the chosen field of study, and
- show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by his or her previous record.
Students are admitted to one of the following programs:
*The programs in Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Cell Biology & Genetics, and Molecular Biology, collectively known as the BCMB program, operate as an alliance of 3 programs with a common curriculum and joint admissions process. Students applying to any one of these programs will thus be automatically considered for admission to the BCMB programs collectively.
Flexible Program of Study
The initial affiliation with a program is far from rigid. For example, a student, after developing an awareness of the variety of research projects available for training, may remain in the original or may wish to change programs. Program transfers are most easily accommodated during the first year of graduate study in order that the student may complete required coursework of their new program before the Admission to Candidacy Examination held at the end of the second academic year.
Instructions for Completion of Application
Instructions for applying to the Master of Science programs appear on the programs' Web sites:
Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Clinical Investigation
Application to the Ph.D. programs must be made online.
Applicants must also provide:
- official transcripts of records from all colleges and universities attended,
- a statement of purpose of graduate study (submit electronically in application), and
- two or three letters of recommendation from individuals in academic positions who know the applicant professionally (application system will send instructions to recommenders).
Address transcript copies to:
Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Room 412
445 East 69th Street
New York, NY 10021
In addition, scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are required to aid in the evaluation of an applicant. Application for taking the Aptitude (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) Test and the Advanced Test of the GRE, must be made directly to the Educational Testing Service, Graduate Record Examinations, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000. Applicants may request that their GRE scores be sent electronically to Weill Cornell Graduate School.
Students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Application for this test must be made to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151. The proper Institution Code Number to use in the GRE or TOEFL application for the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences is R 2119.
Students are admitted each academic year --which is defined by the start of courses in September. The application process occurs in the preceding academic year:
- December 1 - deadline for online applications, test scores, and all supporting materials if possible
- December 15 - deadline for late submission of test scores and supporting materials
Instructions for paying the non-refundable application fee of $60 are included in the application.
Admissions Process
The completed application and all supporting documents are initially screened by the credentials committee of the Program of Study to which the student is applying. Applicants considered potentially acceptable will be notified and invited to attend the graduate school recruitment days held in February for two days of program orientation, personal interviews, and meeting fellow candidates, current graduate students, faculty and visiting the City of New York in a relaxed atmosphere. Candidates approved by each Program are forwarded to the Dean for final decision. A student is formally notified of acceptance for study in the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences by a letter from the Dean. An applicant accepted for admission is requested to inform the Graduate School promptly of her or his plan to either accept or reject the offer of admission.
It is the policy of Cornell University to actively support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or handicap. Admission policies are also in conformity with the policy of New York State with regard to the American ideal of equality of opportunity as embodied in the Education Practices Act.
Last Updated: Sep. 20, 2004
