Admission
We admit a small number of students each year to ensure that all of our students are placed and matched with the faculty mentor that will help them find and foster their research and educational interests.
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university and at least two semesters of:
- Biology
- Physics
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Math (preferably through calculus)
Other Requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- TOEFL of 100 for non-native English speakers
You can apply to the biomedical sciences graduate program through the USC Graduate School. You'll also be required to submit additional application materials, including a personal statement indicating your research interests, three letters of recommendation and undergraduate transcripts.
We encourage that you apply for the Ph.D. program by December 15 to obtain full consideration.
Students should explore our faculty research topics to see what kinds of research our faculty are involved with and if there are areas that appeal to you. Indicate research areas that you are interested in on your application and include the names of any individual faculty you might like to work with in your personal statement. This will help us ensure you can find an appropriate mentor if you are admitted to the program.
You may be invited to come to campus for an interview. During this time you’ll be able to meet with professors whose research interests you and talk with current students about their experiences in our program.
Application
Our application is located on the USC Graduate School website. When applying be sure to indicate that you are applying for the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program.
Applications for the Ph.D. program are taken through the USC Graduate School website and can be found, here.
Your personal statement allows us to get to know you and evaluate whether our program is a good match for you and your research interests. As you introduce yourself to us, you may want to include statements related to:
- Past research experience
- Publications and presentations you've participated in
- Career goals
- How our program will help you attain your goals
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae/resume
- Official transcripts
Please send any paper copies of materials such as your recommendation letters or personal statement to:
Graduate School
University of South Carolina
1705 College Street
Close-Hipp Suite 552
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Electronic copies may also be sent to gradapp@mailbox.sc.edu.
Once you've completed your application please email us at biomedicalsciences@uscmed.sc.edu to let us know you've applied.
If we decline your application, you can request that your application be considered for admission to another graduate program without resubmitting your credentials. You will need to submit a completed Request for Change of Status Form and pay a $15 fee.