What is the application process and what are the admissions requirements?
Requirements are listed on the Admissions page. Please start the application process via the UCLA Graduate Programs in Bioscience website.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are only accepted for matriculation in the Fall quarter. The application deadline is December 1 for the following Fall.
May I apply as a Master’s student?
Yes, the Medical Informatics Home Area offers a Masters of Science (M.S.) in Bioinformatics. Program requirements can be found here.
Do I need to take the GRE?
GRE: General is not required.
What if my TOEFL scores won’t be available by December 1?
Applicants should take the TOEFL by December. Request ETS to send official GRE scores to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): institutional code 4837 and department code 0224 (Biological Sciences – Other); TOEFL code is 30 (Other Biological Sciences). Please note that it takes 6-8 weeks from the test date for domestic scores (test taken in the U.S.) to reach UCLA. For international scores (test taken outside the U.S.) scores will be received at least 8 weeks after the test date.
Applications will only be reviewed once all materials are submitted.
Is financial support provided?
PhD students in the Bioinformatics program are funded through a number of sources — funding from the Graduate Programs in Biosciences (GPB), internal and external fellowships, teaching apprenticeships, graduate student researcher (GSR) positions, training grants, and more.
Where do I describe my research experience?
In the Statement of Purpose under the section titled ‘Pertinent Work Experience.’
Do I need to provide a Personal Statement and Writing Sample?
Please provide a Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement. You are not required to provide a writing sample; when prompted, please upload a blank document.
My transcripts are in a language other than English. Do I need to have the transcript translated to English?
Unless academic records and diplomas are routinely issued in English by the institution, the official records in their original language must be submitted, along with an authorized, complete, and exact English translation.
All official academic records must show the dates of enrollment; the subjects or courses taken, together with the units of credit or time allotted to each subject and, if rank is determined, rank in the total class or group. The records must also include a complete description of the institution’s grading scale or another standard of evaluation. Maximum and minimum marks and the steps between them must be indicated.
Do I need to wait until I have fully completed my coursework in college before applying?
No, if you are a university/college senior, do not wait for senior-year grades before submitting your application and transcript. Many applicants have work in progress at the time of the application deadline; submit your most recent transcript.
I still have questions; how do I contact you?
Please read carefully both this page, How to Apply, and Our Programs.
If you have questions about the admissions process, please contact BioinformaticsPhD@lifesci.ucla.edu. If you wish to learn more about the Medical Informatics Home Area, please contact Gregory Pancho, grpancho@lifesci.ucla.edu.