Admissions
General Information
Because neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field, we welcome applications from students with outstanding undergraduate records in the biological, chemical, or physical sciences. Students with diverse backgrounds, from molecular biology to psychology, physics, and computer science have been successful in our Neuroscience Graduate Program. In particular, we seek students who will enthusiastically tackle a challenging graduate program leading to a career in neuroscience research. Qualities that lead to successful completion of our program include leadership, creativity, and commitment to the intense pursuit of new scientific discoveries. Students are considered for admission in the Fall Quarter only. Generally, we hope to recruit 6-10 students to each class. Because our student to faculty ratio is relatively small, the Neuroscience Graduate Program at UC Davis offers an unusual opportunity for students to obtain one-on-one training directly from faculty. In this regard, our Neuroscience Graduate Program is one of the best places to obtain training in neuroscience research in the United States.
The Admissions Committee, composed of 5 faculty members and one student from the Neuroscience Graduate Group, bases admission on a thorough evaluation of the application. The Admissions Committee considers many factors in creating a list of applicants invited to interview for positions in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. The applicant's undergraduate record, prior laboratory research experience, GRE General and Subject Test scores, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose are all important factors in the initial evaluation. Once the committee has selected a group of students to interview, applicants are invited to our campus for personal interviews. These interviews constitute the final evaluation of the applicant and allow prospective students to determine if our program fits their interests.
A GRE subject test is strongly recommended and may include General Biology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology. Applicants whose native language is not English, or who have not received a degree from an English language institution, are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL). The TOEFL institution code is 4834 and the department code is 30 or 99; the GRE instutition code is 4834 and the department code is 213. Further information on this requirement can be found with the Graduate Application. The UC Davis Neuroscience Graduate Program actively encourages applications from students with diverse backgrounds and from underrepresented ethnic groups.
Please do not submit paper copies of letters of recommendation, publications, CVs, resumes, or application essays. All required documents or information should be submitted electronically via the online application with the exception of transcripts.
Click here for information on Admissions decisions and recruitment.
Financial Support
The UC Davis Neuroscience Graduate Program provides financial support, fees and tuition for every student who is admitted to the program and who continues to make satisfactory progress. The funds come from several sources including federal training grants, federal research grants to the faculty, University fellowships and scholarships, and teaching assistantships. The Program is currently funded, in part, by an NIMH Training Grant in Systems Neuroscience.
Students are encouraged to apply for predoctoral fellowships. In the first year, these include fellowships from the National Science Foundation. After the second year, students are encouraged to submit proposals to NIH for Predoctoral National Research Service Awards (NRSA). Many of our students have been successful in obtaining these prestigious grants. In addition, the Neuroscience Graduate Group nominates a number of students for University fellowships.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, each student will receive a competitive stipend (including summer study), plus tuition and fees. This stipend level is comparable to the other Neuroscience Programs in California. However, because the cost of living is substantially lower in Davis, the effective worth of the stipend is much greater for students at Davis, compared to students at other California universities. The tuition of those students who are not yet California residents will also be provided by the Program for their first year. Students who are U.S. nationals are expected to establish California residency after their first year at Davis.
All graduate students who will be enrolling beginning in 2009-2010 and who are US citizens, permanent residents, or immigrants are required to file a "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) as early as possible, but no later than March 1. This form, submitted directly to the Federal Student Aid Program Office, Iowa City, Iowa, is used to determine financial need only, a component of the eligibility criteria for many fellowships and for all forms of financial aid. A paper copy of the FAFSA can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office, Dutton Hall, on the Davis campus beginning December 1.