• Review the admissions information to learn about our requirements and deadlines.
• Submit all components listed in the Application Checklist by the application deadline.
• Include information about your research experience on your resume/CV or personal statement.
• Follow up on the status of your application through TargetX and act appropriately to ensure it is complete.

Research experience is one of the most important factors when considering an application, so it is recommended that personal statements, resumes/CVs, and letters of reference provide relevant details.

Admissions committees look for bench/wet lab or bioinformatics research.  At least six months of research experience is required, and this can be a combination of summer research opportunities, undergraduate research, postgraduate research, employment, etc.  Lab components of an academic course are generally not considered research experience.

• Get involved in undergraduate research for course credit (see details for UAB students)
• Volunteer in a lab (can be at your current institution or elsewhere)
• Apply to work in a lab (see UAB opportunities)
• Apply for a summer research opportunity (see UAB opportunities) 

You do not need to contact faculty for admission.  Students in our program do three research rotations with different faculty in the first year before joining a lab, so admission is decided by a committee rather than individual faculty members.  You are welcome to reach out to faculty with other questions (such as if they will be taking rotation students), but it is not required and will not affect your chances of admission.

No, a master's degree is not required.

Admission is only offered for fall semester because that is when first-year coursework begins.  Some fall applicants may be allowed to enter during the summer semester to begin their first lab rotation.

GBS only offers PhD programs, but UAB offers a Masters of Science in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (MSMBS) that prepares students for a wide-spectrum of careers related to the biomedical sciences.

Students select a theme for entry but have access to faculty and courses from across GBS, allowing for flexibility in both research and academics. This means you can do research in any lab, regardless of theme.  Each theme has different requirements regarding coursework, so review the training plans and any supplemental materials on each theme page to assess which theme best fits your interests.  Students can also change themes after joining the program if their interests change.

Domestic applicants are US citizens or permanent residents who hold a Permanent Resident Card (green card). Permanent residents will be asked to upload a copy of their green card during the application process.

Admissions committees generally make decisions on applications December through March.  You will receive an email when a decision has been made.  After interviews, offers of admission generally go out January through April.

The application portal allows you to check the status of your application 24/7.  Log into the system to view the current status of your documents.  

Your transcript and/or English proficiency checklist items will continue to display 'not received/under review’ until they have been processed by the international admissions team. This happens to all applications that are submitted and is not anything to worry about. Please allow more time to process your remaining documents. They are processing an overwhelming number of applications currently. If you have any further questions, you can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (205) 934-3328. If they require any additional information from you, a member of their team will contact you.

Yes, we can use unofficial transcripts for initial review of applications.  Upload directly to your application through TargetX.  If offered admission, official transcripts from each institution will be required.

The Graduate School has to review and verify all uploaded transcripts.  This review is typically done one to three business days after application submission. Once they have verified the transcript, it will be marked as "received" in your checklist.

No.

For UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.

UAB Grad School
LHL G03
1700 University Boulevard
Birmingham AL 35294-0013

For United States Postal Service
UAB Grad School
LHL G03
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham AL 35294-0013

For those schools that use email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Letters of recommendation are submitted online.  The people identified as recommenders will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their letter.  If there are any issues, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

Three.

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students have access to their education record, including letters of recommendation. However, applicants may waive their right to see letters of recommendation, in which case the letters will be held in confidence.  Most people waive this right because it can allow the author to be more honest and genuine in their letter, but it is up to each applicant to decide what is best for their situation.

After submitting your application, view your checklist in TargetX to see which letters have been received.  If a letter has not been received, follow up with the recommender.

If you have already submitted your application, log into the application portal and resend the email to that recommender. If they do not receive the email or are having issues with the link, they can email their letter directly to the Graduate School (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and it will be added to your application.

No.

• Institution code is 1856.
• There is no department code.

As a reminder, GRE scores are not required for application, but scores can be provided voluntarily.

Documents from your prior application can be transferred over and used with your new application. Submit a new application and send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request for transfer of materials.

PhD applicants who have participated in one of these qualifying programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver

• ABRCMS - Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
• California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education
• Cientifico Latino Graduate Student Mentorship Initiative
• Emerging Researchers National Conference
• Emory STEM Research and Career Symposium
• Fisk to Vanderbilt Bridge Program
• Gates Millennium Scholars
• GEM - National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Sciences
• Graduate Horizon for Native American Students
• Hopps Research Scholars Program
• IMSD - Initiative for Maximizing Student Development
• IRT - Institute for Recruitment of Teachers
• LSAMP - Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
• MARC - Minority Access to Research Careers
• Math Alliance - Field of Dreams Conference
• McNair Scholars
• MMUF - Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellowship
• NIH Graduate Professional School Fair
• NNE - National Name Exchange
• PREP - NIH funded Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program
• RISE - Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
• SACNAS - Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
• UNCF - United Negro College Fund
• SPIN - Summer Program in Neuroscience

Yes!  Upload your unofficial English proficiency scores directly to your application.

Institution code is 1856.  There is no department code.

The English proficiency requirement is managed by the Graduate School.  See the English proficiency details to see if you are eligible for a waiver.  For further information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• The Financial Affidavit of Support is a government requirement for all international students who matriculate into our program.
• All students traditionally admitted into the program receive financial support.  This will be stated in the appointment letter, so you may submit the appointment letter as proof of financial support.

• International applicants living in the continental U.S. may be invited to on-campus interview weekends.
• Applicants living outside of the continental U.S. may be interviewed via Zoom.

Yes, the UAB Graduate School requires all transcripts for degrees earned outside of the United States be evaluated by WES or any NACES accredited evaluation company. For more information about transcript requirements, please visit our international applicants webpage. 

Scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application submission.  If the scores expire after you submit your application, you do not need to retake the exam.  If the scores expire before you submit your application, they will not meet the requirements.

These circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate School. You may reach out to Kristin Brymer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for review prior to submitting your application. 

These circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate School. You may reach out to Kristin Brymer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for review prior to submitting your application.