About PhD Program,
The goal of PIBBS is to recruit top caliber Ph.D. students in the biomedical and biological sciences to USC and to guide them in the identification of a mentor, lab, and research project that will provide rigorous scientific training, an outstanding Ph.D. thesis, and a strong foundation for a variety of science-related careers. The following interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs are part of PIBBS.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applications and all supporting materials must be received no later than November 15, for full consideration. Late applicants may be considered, if space in the program allows.
Applicants who have completed or are in the process of completing a four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university may be eligible to apply for admissions to the PIBBS Program. Some applicants have master’s degrees, but this is not required. Applicants should have demonstrated research ability and experience. A letter from a research mentor is considered an essential part of the application package.
Applicants must meet minimum requirements for admission to the university (overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0). Proficiency in the English language is essential.
PhD Funding Coverage,
As a PIBBS student at USC, you will be provided a competitive annual stipend and will be supported throughout your graduate career as long as you remain in good academic standing. Financial support includes payment of tuition and health benefits (health, dental, and vision insurance). Beginning in the second year, the faculty mentor will be financially responsible for your student stipend and fees until completion of the thesis. During this time, you may be supported from grants and/or scholarships funds within the laboratory or Ph.D. program. There is no teaching assistantship (TA-ship) requirement although some students do choose to do a TA-ship if they wish to obtain teaching experience.
Application Requirement,
- Upload/submit required documents.
- Submit required exam scores (i.e., TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for International Students) USC Institution Code: 4852
- Personal statement (required, no more than 750 words)
Describe your purpose and motivation for pursuing a PhD. Discuss your interest in science, why you want a graduate degree, and your overall professional career goals. Explain briefly how the PIBBS Program at University of Southern California will help you meet your career and educational objectives. If relevant, you may also provide any additional information that you feel the admissions committee should know about your application. This can include unusual academic, family, or personal situations; unexpected challenges or opportunities; unique qualifications; et cetera. - Research Statement (required, no more than 750 words)
Describe your previous involvement in research, including both a general overview of the breadth of your experience and a detailed description of at least one project. Discuss the goals of the work, challenges met (and how you overcame them), results, and significance. If you do not have previous research experience, please explain what alternative experiences you have that make you a suitable candidate for graduate school. - Letters of Recommendation
The PIBBS Program requires three (3) letters of reference from professors or others who can evaluate your academic and scientific potential. Ideally at least one of these should be from a mentor with whom you have conducted independent/original research. Recommenders included in the online application will be contacted by email. The recommender module is separate. Letters must be submitted via the online system; letters sent via email will not be accepted. Your application may be submitted, before letters of recommendation are received. No hard copies of letters will be accepted. Admissions committees greatly value letters that specifically describe qualities, such as motivation, work ethic, resilience, persistence, initiative, intellectual contribution, and collegiality in research and academic settings. - Curriculum Vitae/Resumé
- Transcripts — Upload scanned copies of official transcripts (university-issued) from all institutions attended.
- official transcripts.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- Pay the application fee: $90 (nonrefundable)
