Choosing a Program
The Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences has eight Ph.D. Basic Biomedical Programs. The Biochemistry; Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology; Cellular and Molecular Physiology; and Neuroscience Programs have a combined admissions process and first year curriculum which is called the Integrated Studies Program. In addition, the School has programs in Genetics, Immunology, Molecular Microbiology, and Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Students may designate more than one Sackler program on the application form. However, any applicant doing so must also include a statement indication the reasons for doing do. If the applicant feels that one of the programs is particularly well-suited to his/her interest, this should also be indicated. For more information about our programs, please check the Programs page.

The Sackler School also has a Clinical Research Master’s program. Applicants interested in this program should contact the Educational Coordinator at 617-636-4999 to discuss program admission requirements before submitting their Sackler School online application.

Deadlines
All application materials must be received by the Sackler School by January 17. Applications for admission are reviewed as they are received. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit all required materials as early as possible. Applications arriving after this date will be considered by the admissions committee only if positions remain available in the desired program(s).

Application Requirements
All applications must be submitted online. The Sackler School does not accept paper applications or recommendations. Applicants must provide the following materials:

• Online Application Form (including a Personal Statement)

• A $70 application fee

• Three letters of recommendation - submit via the online application

• Official scores of the Graduate Record Examination – submit electronically (not required for the Clinical Research Program)

• Official score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam – submit electronically (international applicants only)

• Official copies of all post-secondary academic transcripts
  
  Please request that transcripts be sent to:
  Office of the Dean – Admissions
  Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences
  136 Harrison Ave.
  Boston, MA 02111

All materials related to an application for admission become the property of the Sackler School upon receipt and will not be returned or released to the applicant either in original or photocopy form.

Personal Statement
Applicants must prepare a one to three page personal statement describing why they are interested in a particular field of study and why they would like to attend the Sackler School. The personal statement is submitted as part of the online application.

Application Fee
The nonrefundable application fee is $70. The fee may be paid by credit card or e-check as part of the application system. Although it is preferred that applicants pay the application fee online, payment may alternately be made by check or money order (in U.S. currency only) and made payable to: “Trustees of Tufts University.” Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

The application fee will be waived for applicants currently enrolled in a Tufts degree or certificate program (except GCAP students) and for McNair Scholars, Project 1000 or IRT applicants. To have the application fee waived, select this option in the Preliminary Questions section and send an official document from the specific Program stating the applicant is a current student or member.

Letters of Recommendation
In the online application, applicants must register three persons who are willing to write letters of recommendation appraising their potential to succeed in the Sackler graduate program. The registered recommenders will be sent an email giving them the instructions and a link to the online recommendation system. All letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online system.

Transcripts
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study are required. Transcripts are to be mailed directly from the institution to the Sackler School Dean’s Office. Photocopied transcripts, faxed transcripts, and student copies of transcripts are not acceptable.

GRE Test Scores
All applicants except those apply to the Clinical Research Program are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test. For GRE information, visit the GRE web site or contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

An official electronic GRE score report from ETS is required. Applicants should not have paper GRE reports sent to the School. When requesting a score report, please use the code for the Tufts University Sackler School, which is 3891.

Non-Native English Speakers
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate an adequate command of the English language. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores or other evidence of English proficiency are required. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 points on the written exam, 213 on the computerized exam, or 79-80 on the internet-based exam is required. The TOEFL requirement is waived for applicants who have received a degree from an institution where instruction was conducted in English.

An official electronic TOEFL score report from Educational Testing Service (ETS) is required. Applicants should not have paper TOEFL reports sent to the School. When requesting a score report, please use the code for the Tufts University Sackler School, which is 3891.

Sackler students from outside the United States receive the same tuition scholarship and stipend as U.S. citizens. For more information on the Sackler School’s tuition scholarship and stipend, see http://www.tufts.edu/sackler/prospStudents/finance.html.

For International applicants and other individuals living outside the United States, the interview process is usually conducted by telephone.

The International Affairs Office will contact admitted international applicants regarding funds and visa paperwork after we have received the Candidate Reply Form and about three months before the start date of school.

Selection Criteria
Biomedical Science Research Programs
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a superior ability in the biological and chemical sciences throughout their undergraduate and graduate records. Standardized test results, prior research experience, and letters of recommendation also are used to assess a candidate’s potential for graduate study. The objective is to select students who are not only intellectually capable, but who also possess investigative skills and an inquisitive mind.

Clinical Research Program
Applicants are usually affiliated and supported by one of the fellowship programs and typically initially apply to a clinical or research fellowship training program at Tufts Medical Center. Applicants must be trained in the medical sciences and are primarily fully-trained physicians. Selection criteria for the graduate program include an assessment of the candidate’s commitment to a research career in clinical care/health services research, the applicant’s potential for research as evidenced by prior academic activities, research experience, recommendations from clinical and research faculty who know the candidate well, and the degree to which academic and research interests coincide with opportunities and resources available at the Tufts Medical Center campus.

Reapplication
Applicants who have submitted an application for admission in the previous Fall may choose to use their personal statement, letters of recommendation, and test score from the previous application, or submit an updated personal statement, additional letters of recommendation and new test scores at the time of reapplication. Re-applicants are, however, required to submit a new application form, the application fee, transcripts of any courses taken since the last application was submitted, and a letter requesting to have their application reactivated.

Personal Interview
Competitive basic science program candidates for admission will be invited to visit the Sackler School, tour the facilities, meet faculty and graduate students, and have a formal interview.

Each program has its own faculty admissions committee and an applicant may receive interview invitations from more than one program. A multiple-program applicant traveling from out-of-town for one program interview may wish to attempt to coordinate interviews by calling other relevant programs directly to arrange an interview for the same date. If offered admission to more than one program, an applicant is required to designate a program affiliation at the time the admission offer is accepted.

Competitive Clinical Research program candidates for admission will be required to interview with program faculty, usually in conjunction with their fellowship program interviews.

Immunization Requirements
Please refer to the Immunizations section of the SAHA website for information on immunization requirements, records, and certificates.

Questions
If you have any questions about the application process, materials, or requirements please call the Sackler School at (617) 636-6767 or email us at sackler-school@tufts.edu


Non-matriculating Special Student Status

Students who have not been admitted to a Sackler School degree program but who wish to take courses may do so as Special Students. The maximum number of courses that may be taken as a Special Student is six. However, Special Students who are subsequently admitted to a Sackler School degree program may only count two previously-taken Sackler courses toward their degrees. Thus, it is recommended that those interested in seeking a degree apply for admission and matriculate before registering for a third course. Special Students must meet the course prerequisites and requirements. Please see the Special Student Application and Instructions (PDF) for more information.

• M.D./Ph.D. Program (MSTP)
  Applicants to the combined M.D./Ph.D. program apply through the medical school. For more information, please see the medical school web site.

• Combined Degree D.V.M./Ph.D.
  Program Applicants to the D.V.M./Ph.D. program must apply separately to both the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine and the Sackler School and clearly indicate their interest in the combined degree program on both application forms. All application materials required by each school are to be submitted to the appropriate office in accordance with the application instructions. For more information regarding admission to the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, please visit the TUVSM website.

• To apply to the Sackler school,
  Complete our online application.

Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students

Program Eligibility
A federal grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Sackler School support the Summer Research Program. Applicants must be enrolled in a four-year, undergraduate program and have successfully completed at least one year of college. In addition, applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. The NIH and the Sackler School encourage applications from members of groups that are under-represented in the biomedical sciences. The NIH has reported that groups under-represented in biomedical or behavioral research include African-American, Hispanic- or Latino/a- American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander. Individuals who are members of economically disadvantaged families and disabled persons have also been found to be under-represented in the biomedical sciences.

Deadline and Notification Dates
All application materials must be received by the Sackler School by February 15. Applications for admission are reviewed as they are received. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit all required materials as early as possible. Applications received after February 15 will be considered only if space is available. Applicants will be notified of a decision by May 1.

Application Requirements

• Application Form
  All applications must complete the online application form. On question #1, select the “Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences” for the school to which you are applying. On question #6, select “Yes” that you are applying to the Sackler School Summer Research Program.
  
  Applicants to the Summer Research Program may skip the “Testing Information” section on page two of the application, and “Reasons for Applying to More Than One Program” section on page five.
  
  
• Personal Statement
  Applicants must submit a personal statement with the online application. The personal statement should include evidence of scientific achievement or interest in high school or college, such as membership in student associations, participation in science fairs, or volunteer work in scientific or healthcare settings. If you have had previous research experience, please describe it in detail, answering the following questions: Who was your mentor? What was the purpose of the project? Why was it an interesting project? What methods did you use? What were the results? Also, describe your career goals and reasons for wishing to participate in the summer program.
  
  
• Letters of Recommendation
  In the online application, applicants must register two persons who are willing to write letters of recommendation appraising their potential to succeed in the Sackler Summer Research Program. The registered recommenders will be sent an email giving them the instructions and a link to the online recommendation system. For applicants who have had previous research experience, it is recommended that one or both of the recommendation letters come from the research advisor(s). The other letter may come from a faculty member, employer, director of the MARC or MBRS program, or other appropriate person.
  
  
• Transcripts
  Official transcripts of all undergraduate study are required. Transcripts are to be mailed directly from the institution to the Sackler School Dean’s Office. Photocopied transcripts, faxed transcripts, and student copies of transcripts are not acceptable. Please request that transcripts be sent to:
  
  Office of the Dean –Summer Research Program
  Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences
  136 Harrison Avenue
  Boston, MA 02111

Questions
If you have any questions about the application process, materials, or requirements please call the Sackler School at (617) 636-6767 or email us at sackler-school@tufts.edu.


Post-Baccalaureate Research Internship Program

Program Eligibility
The Post-Baccalaureate Research Program (PREP) at the Sackler School offers 1 to 2 year research apprenticeships for recent graduates who are interested in pursuing research careers in the biomedical sciences. The PREP is designed to increase the training possibilities for those currently under-represented in biomedical science research. Currently, these include, but are not limited to, African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, people with disabilities and members of groups that are economically or socially disadvantaged. If you are curious about biological phenomena, enjoy your science and mathematics classes and have a passionate interest in making discoveries, this is the program for you.

Generally, training begins September 1, although adjustments may be made to accommodate a student's schedule. Apprentices spend 75% of their time as research assistants investigating a scientific problem under faculty guidance. The remainder of their time is devoted to classes and individualized study that can range from GRE preparation to advanced graduate courses. Salary plus benefits are provided.

Application Instructions
The application period for admission in September begins on March 1 and closes on May 15. Opportunities are very limited and early inquiries are encouraged. Admission is based on the application, references and interviews; by phone if necessary.

Please download and complete the instructions and application and mail them to Diana Pierce.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Pierce:

• Email: diana.pierce@tufts.edu
• Phone: (617) 636-6836
• Address:
  Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program
  Diana Pierce
  Tufts University
  136 Harrison Ave.
  Boston, MA 02111