Frequently Asked Questions

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Our Graduate School is unique among peer institutions because we are integrated within a world-class medical center. Our students work on the leading edge of biomedical research learning first hand how breakthroughs at the bench translate into new therapies for diseases. Students are trained in the scientific method by faculty researchers who have an unparalleled commitment to mentoring young scientists. A PhD or master's degree from our Ivy League institution opens doors for our graduates as they seek careers in academia or business.

All students accepted to the PhD degree-granting programs are awarded a full tuition scholarship, which includes all tuition, fees, and health insurance. In addition to a full tuition scholarship, a stipend of $31,677 per year is awarded to each full-time student for the duration of their pre-doctoral studies at the Graduate School.

The Graduate School offers doctoral degrees in seven Programs of Study:

• Biochemistry & Structural Biology
• Cell Biology & Genetics
• Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis
• Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology

Entering students take a series of intensive required courses in a chosen program. The courses provide a fundamental understanding of the discipline and an introduction to research. First and second-year students also participate in 12-week rotations in faculty laboratories. Conducting research in a variety of disciplines aids students' project selection. The rotations also expose students to the intellectual breadth and depth of faculty research and illustrate the ways in which sophisticated state-of-the art methodologies are contributing to the field.

In response to the rapid developments in biomedical research, the Programs in Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Cell Biology & Genetics and Molecular Biology operate as the Allied Programs, with a common curriculum and joint admissions process. Prospective students applying to any one of these programs will be automatically considered for admission to the Allied programs collectively.

Most of our graduates go on to Post Doctoral positions at institutions in this country and abroad. Recent graduates for example, have accepted positions at MIT, Harvard, Columbia, NYU and UCLA to name a few. Some students are pursuing careers in the private sector in biotechnology start-ups or in consulting.

Yes. Students live within a few blocks of classrooms and laboratories, on a self-contained campus that is part of a safe residential neighborhood on the prestigious upper East Side of Manhattan.

Apartment housing is offered to all full-time students for the PhD training period. Rents, paid by students, are considerably lower than those charged for comparable housing on Manhattan's upper East Side.

Yes. The International Student Committee has created Web pages with all the information students coming from other countries need to make an application to the Graduate School. Visit this page to get started.

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.

These highly specialized programs have their own applications and deadlines. Please refer to their links in our web site for more information.

Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Clinical Investigation

Inquiries about graduate study should be addressed to:

Associate Dean
Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
445 East 69th Street
Room 412
New York, NY 10021

Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time.

Telephone: 212-746-6565
Fax: 212-746-8906
E-mail: gsms@med.cornell.edu

We also make our current students available to applicants via e-mail to answer your questions about the Graduate School. Please contact us for more information about contacting a student.