If your questions about our admissions process are not answered below, please email moltox@berkeley.edu
Where do I apply?
The online application system can be accessed on the Berkeley Graduate Division website.
When is the application deadline?
Our application deadline is Monday, December 4, 2023 by 8:59PM *PACIFIC STANDARD TIME*. The online application site will automatically lockdown at 9:00pm, 12/4/2023. We admit for the fall semester only.
Is there an application fee waiver?
Applying to Berkeley for grad school requires an application fee of $135 if you are a US citizen or US permanent resident, and $155 otherwise. US citizens, US permanent residents, and AB540 students can apply to waive this application fee if (i) they demonstrate financial need or (ii) they have taken part in specific programs that qualify for a fee waiver. For full details, please see https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/fee-waiver/. Financial need is determined by either (i) Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on your Student Aid Report; or (ii) by the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on your tax return.
What are the minimum admission requirements?
Please refer to the Graduate Division Admissions Requirements for details on minimum test scores and GPA. The GRE is not required. There is no minimum required score.
Which faculty are available for thesis research in Molecular Toxicology?
You can view our Molecular Toxicology faculty and their individual research interests on our faculty list. The MT program practices direct admission; the Admission Committee recommends applicants and a faculty member accepts a recommended applicant into the lab without rotations.
Am I required to contact faculty prior to applying?
You are not required to contact any faculty, but you may find it worthwhile if you have specific research questions.
What does the department look for in a successful applicant?
Students who have majored in Biology, Chemistry or something similar with lab experience, have a high GPA and high GRE scores often do well in our program. Excellent recommendation letters and statements of purpose are equally as important. We practice holistic admissions, valuing each part of the application.
What kind of financial support can I expect?
Financial support for the Molecular Toxicology Ph.D. program includes an annual stipend and full tuition/fees/medical insurance. The stipend and fees are paid through a variety of sources, including appointments as a GSR (Graduate Student Researcher) or GSI (Graduate Student Instructor), grants and fellowships. Students are encouraged to seek their own funding by way of fellowship or scholarship.
What is the city of Berkeley like?
Berkeley combines an attractive campus within a diverse city. There is much to do both on campus and off including many cultural, sport, and outdoor (hiking, skiing, etc.) events and opportunities. Downtown Berkeley has a large variety of restaurants with various ethnic cuisines options available.
What are my career options after graduation?
Graduates of our Ph.D. program will be exceptionally prepared for a research/teaching career in academia, government, or industry. Some students have gone on to get additional training in medicine or dietetics.
Will I be teaching classes?
There is one-semester teaching minimum in which you will be a GSI (Graduate Student Instructor) for one of the classes offered by the NST department. The class is usually taught by one or more professors within the department and your responsibilities might include attending lectures, leading review sessions, or holding office hours to answer student questions. There are opportunities to GSI multiple semesters within the department.
Can I afford to live in Berkeley?
The stipend you receive as a Ph.D. student adequately covers living expenses in Berkeley. While housing costs can be steep in the Bay Area, many students choose to live in a studio or a shared house or apartment in Berkeley or a nearby city. There are many public transportation options, some of which are free for students. Health insurance is included with the stipend, and food costs are comparable to other college cities. It is definitely doable!
What kinds of scholarships/fellowships are available?
While our Ph.D. programs are fully-funded, we do encourage students to obtain fellowships and scholarships. Several of our students have NSF fellowships. Graduate Division also has many financial support options for you.
What specific research areas do Molecular Toxicology faculty members study?
Find our list here.
What kind of classes will I take?
Our courses are listed here. Our students also are free to take relevant courses in other departments such as: Chemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Public Health.
Do you conduct interviews?
Yes, interviews are conducted prior to admission offers. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly by the graduate advisor or a faculty member to set up an interview time.
When will you have made admission decisions?
Our goal is to have our final decisions made by end of March.