Q: Is the GRE required for admission?
A: No
Q: Do you offer Spring or Summer admission?
A: No. We only offer Fall admission.
Q: What is the general time frame for the program?
A: 1.5 – 2 years
Q: Is there an online option?
A: The neuroscience Research Masters program is fully on-campus. Students will begin working in labs starting in their first semester.
The Online Neuroscience Masters program is fully online and does not involve lab work. The online curriculum is different from the Research Masters.
Q: Do I need to contact a faculty member before I apply? How do I get matched with a faculty mentor within the field I am interested?
A: Accepted candidates MUST identify a research mentor with funding and space in order to matriculate in the Fall semester. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program and areas of neuroscience of most interest to them. We encourage potentially contacting faculty in these areas beforehand to determine if faculty are recruiting students as funding/space situations change often. We will work with accepted candidates to try and find a mentor and home for their research thesis, but we cannot guarantee their availability or enrollment.
Q: If admitted, will I be fully funded as a student?
A: Yes. Admitted students are hired as graduate assistants. You will receive a stipend and tuition waivers provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress and full-time enrollment.
Q: Will I have health insurance as a student?
A: Graduate Assistants may participate in the GatorGradCare health insurance plan. Enrollment is not automatic; newly hired graduate assistants have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll in GatorGradCare if they want to participate. Employees enrolled in GatorGradCare are responsible for a portion of the premium (cost of insurance). The premium is collected through bi-weekly payroll deductions.
Q: The graduate application portal suggested that the statement of purpose be only 400-500 words? Is this correct for this program?
A: Your statement should be approximately 500-600 words or approximately 1 single-spaced page.
Q: Is there a specific undergraduate degree I should have in order to apply?
A: No. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds of science-related programs (biological science, clinical disciplines), as well as others.
Q: What are the prerequisites for entering the program?
A: Candidates should have taken undergraduate courses in general biology, chemistry and biochemistry. Applicants with undergraduate academic performance that does not meet these requirements are encouraged to consider pursuing a year of post-baccalaureate studies with the goal of demonstrating an ability to achieve satisfactory academic progress in graduate level courses.
Q: What are the minimum GPA requirements for admission to the program?
A: The Graduate School at UF requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate studies. These are not the only benchmarks by which we evaluate students. Emphasis is also placed on performance in relevant undergraduate/graduate courses (i.e. biology, science), statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular and research experience.
Q: Do I need neuroscience or research experience to be admitted to the neuroscience PhD program?
A: While previous neuroscience research experience is looked at favorably, it is not required. Applications are reviewed holistically and faculty are looking to see that students are a good fit for the program and their lab with a passion for the pursuit of knowledge in neuroscience.
Q: Who should I get recommendations from?
A: You should ask for recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic achievement and who can address your potential for success in a graduate program. If you have been out of school for a number of years and are unable to contact former professors, letters from other individuals who can address your achievements will be accepted, i.e. employers or colleagues. Avoid references from family or close friends. References must be current (within the last 4 years).
Q: May I submit my application before my recommenders submit their letters?
A: Yes. Please make sure all letters are submitted by the application deadline listed on our program webpage.
Still have questions? Contact Melissa Naidu at michie@ufl.edu