Chemistry Graduate Program FAQ

Before Applying

• What are the requirements for admission to the Graduate Program in Chemistry at the University of Georgia?
  

  To be admitted to graduate study in chemistry at the University of Georgia, a student must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or a closely related field and should have a distinguished academic record. Successful applicants should also have high scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The Graduate Admissions Committee also regards highly any relevant research experience.

• What do you look for in an applicant?

  The Graduate Admissions Committee takes into consideration all the various components of the applicant's academic preparation. We are of course interested in academic ability as measured by GPA and GRE scores, but we also heavily weigh personal letters of recommendation and a strong research background as demonstrated through undergraduate research, presentations, publications and work experience.

• What are your minimum undergraduate GPA requirements?

  Because of the variability of grading schemes used in different undergraduate institutions, we do not set a minimum GPA requirement. In making admissions decisions we take the student's entire academic history into account. However, the Graduate Admissions Committee will carefully examine each applicant's record to insure that the appropriate undergraduate course of study was followed and for evidence of distinguished scholarship in his or her coursework.

• Can you send me a Graduate School catalog or Department brochure?

  The Department of Chemistry no longer publishes a printed brochure. All the information about our Department, including details of faculty research interests, is updated regularly on our Departmental web site.

  http://www.chem.uga.edu

  In addition, specific information about our Graduate Program is available on the Graduate Program web pages.

  http://www.chem.uga.edu/DoC/AcaGra.html

  Similarly, the Graduate School at UGA no longer publishes a printed catalog. You may access all the information about the UGA Graduate School at their web site.

  http://www.grad.uga.edu/

• Can I obtain a paper application from the Chemistry Department or Graduate School?

  No, neither the Chemistry Department nor the Graduate School provides paper applications any longer. All applications for admission to graduate programs at UGA must now be submitted electronically through either the Department or Graduate School web sites.

• What is the admissions process for applicants to the UGA Chemistry Graduate Program?

  The application for admission to the Graduate Program in Chemistry at UGA is a two-step process in which your admissions application is reviewed jointly by the Chemistry Department as well as the Graduate School. First, the Graduate Admissions Committee in the Chemistry Department evaluates each completed application. For the highest rated applicants, we will make a recommendation for admission to the Graduate School. The Admissions Office of the Graduate School will then evaluate your application materials for accuracy and completeness and issue the official UGA offer of admission. While the graduate admissions process is a joint responsibility between the Department and the Graduate School, the ultimate authority on which applicant to admit rests solely in the Chemistry Department.

• How can I begin my application to the Chemistry Department?

  You may begin the application process from our Graduate Application Information web page.

  http://www.chem.uga.edu/DoC/AcaGraApp.html

  There is a link to begin the on-line application process at the bottom of this page.

• How can I begin my application to the Graduate School?

  The Graduate School accepts applications through its on-line application web site. This can be accessed through the "Apply Online!" link on the main Graduate School web site,

  http://www.grad.uga.edu/

  The direct link to the Graduate School on-line application page is

  http://www.applyweb.com/apply/ugagrad/

  In addition, when you begin your application at the Chemistry Department application web page, we will automatically re-direct you to the Graduate School on-line application web site.

  Applicants are also urged to consult the main Graduate School web site, especially the various sections under "Admissions". There is a great deal of information about the UGA graduate application process and procedures contained there.

Standardized Tests

• Do I have to take the GRE?

  Yes, a score from the general GRE exam (verbal + quantitative) is required by both the UGA Graduate School and the Chemistry Department for admission to graduate school.

• What are your minimum GRE score requirements?

  We do not have minimum GRE requirements. In making admissions decisions we take the student's entire academic history into account. However, our recent entering graduate classes have had average GRE scores in the 85th percentile or higher.

• Is the GRE chemistry subject test required?

  No, the chemistry subject test is not required for admission. If you have taken this exam you may submit your score and we will consider it in our admissions decision, but it is not a required element of your application.

• How long are GRE exam scores valid?

  The Graduate School policy is that GRE scores are valid until August 15th of the 5th year after the exam was taken. For example, a test taken on Jan. 1, 2002 is valid until Aug. 15, 2007. An exam taken on Aug. 16, 2002 would be valid until Aug. 15, 2008. If UGA receives an official application for admission to graduate school before a GRE score expires, the Graduate School will use that score for whichever term the applicant is applying for. In other words, the score needs to be valid when the application is received.

• What is UGA's ETS Institutional Code for the GRE exam?

  The UGA institutional code for ETS reporting is 5813.

International Students

• I am an international student. What types of English language exams are required for admission?

  As an international student, the University of Georgia requires that you demonstrate proficiency in the English language as a condition for admission. The Department of Chemistry requires that your language exam include a section on English speaking ability. We prefer to receive scores from the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) exam. However, The UGA Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry will accept results from other English language competency exams as well, as long as those exams contain a section that evaluates your proficiency in spoken English.

  There are two main choices for acceptable English language exams.

  1. You may submit scores from the new internet-based TOEFL exam (TOEFL iBT). This is the preferred language exam for admission.

     Information about the TOEFL iBT exam can be obtained at:

     http://www.ets.org/toefl/

     Please note that we no longer accept scores from the older paper-based or computer-based TOEFL exams (TOEFL PBT or CBT) that do not include a separate speaking section. If you only have a score from the TOEFL PBT or CBT exam, you will need to re-take either the TOEFL iBT or IELTS exam for us to consider your application.

  2. As an alternative to the TOEFL iBT, we will also accept scores from the IELTS exam. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a language test managed through a partnership of the British Council, IDP Education Australia and the University of Cambridge, UK. The scores from this exam are recognized as equivalent to the TOEFL iBT exam.

     More information about the IELTS exam can be obtained at:

     http://www.ielts.org/

  You may choose the exam alternative that suits you best. However, whichever option you choose, please ensure that you schedule your test dates well ahead of time for UGA to receive your scores by the application deadlines. Test scores must be submitted directly from the testing agency and may not be more than two years old.

• I am an international student who will receive a BS or MS degree at a US university. Do I still have to submit TOEFL scores?

  Yes, the Graduate Admissions Committee requires all international applicants, except those from countries where English is the native language, to submit current TOEFL exam scores.

• What are your minimum TOEFL score requirements?

  The University of Georgia Graduate School has established a minimum total TOEFL iBT score of 80 with a minimum score of 20 in each of the 4 exam sub-sections for admission to UGA. Although this is the minimum score required for admission to the University, the Graduate Admissions Committee requires a higher TOEFL score, especially in the speaking sub-section, for admission to the Department of Chemistry. UGA requires a speaking sub-section score of 26 for international students to be fully qualified as a teaching assistant in undergraduate courses.

• How long are TOEFL exam scores valid?

  The Graduate School policy is that TOEFL scores expire on the last day of the two year anniversary of the testing date. For example, a test taken on Jan. 1, 2007 is valid until Dec. 31, 2008. If UGA receives an official application for admission to graduate school before a TOEFL score expires, the Graduate School will use that score for whichever term the applicant is applying for. In other words, the score needs to be valid when the application is received.

• What is UGA's ETS Institutional Code for the GRE and TOEFL exams?

  The UGA institutional code for ETS reporting is 5813.

• Where can I find more information about the application process for international students?

  Below is a link to a Graduate School website that provides helpful resources for international students as they go through the enrollment process.

  http://www.uga.edu/gradschool/admissions/int_supplements.html

  Also, here's a link to the International Student Life Office at UGA that provides information to international applicants.

  http://www.uga.edu/isl/

  Both these sites should help international students to better understand UGA and the admissions process.

Transfer Students

• I am currently attending graduate school at another university. Can I transfer to UGA without graduating from my current school?

  It is possible to transfer into a different US graduate program without first completing a degree at your current institution. However, the Council of Graduate Schools as well as the Chemistry Department at UGA requires that before you do so, you should first get the permission, or at least the acknowledgment, from your current department that you desire to transfer and that they have no objection to your doing so.

  Usually this means that you should arrange for either your major professor, the Graduate Coordinator or Department Head at your current school to write a letter on your behalf describing the circumstances of your transfer and stating their permission for you to transfer without finishing your degree at your current school.

• If I transfer to UGA, can I also transfer credits earned at my previous graduate program?

  In general, the Graduate School requires that all the credits used by a student to satisfy a graduate degree awarded by the University of Georgia must be earned at the University of Georgia. Therefore, the ability to transfer credits from a previous graduate program is severely limited by the regulations of the Graduate School. There are some exceptions, however, that may be granted to the student. However, these exceptions are restricted and can only be approved by petition after the student has enrolled at UGA.

Financial Assistance

• What kind of financial assistance is available to incoming chemistry graduate students?

  The Department of Chemistry provides that each full time incoming student will receive a Graduate Teaching Assistantship to support their studies as a UGA chemistry graduate student. Teaching Assistantships provide a stipend and tuition remission to all incoming students.

• Is health insurance provided for chemistry graduate students?

  Yes, UGA provides health insurance for each graduate student supported by a teaching or research assistantship. Detailed information about the UGA health insurance program for graduate students may be found at the following location.

  http://www.uhs.uga.edu/insurance/index.html

• What financial assistance other than teaching assistantships is available to incoming chemistry graduate students?

  In addition to the regular Graduate Teaching Assistantship, the University of Georgia awards several merit-based fellowships to prospective graduate students, including the Graduate School Assistantship and the Presidential Fellowship. These fellowships can provide for additional monetary awards, release from teaching responsibilities, or both. Both the UGA Graduate School Assistantship and Presidential Fellowships require an application deadline of January 1. The Department of Chemistry will automatically consider you for these special fellowships upon receipt of a completed application; therefore, we suggest that you arrange for your application materials to arrive as early as possible.

The Application Process

• What documents must be submitted with my application?

  Submit the following documents to the UGA Graduate Admissions Office

  • application form
  • $50.00 application processing fee, non-refundable
  • one official academic transcript from each institution attended
  • official GRE scores submitted from the testing agency
  • Georgia residency application (if appropriate)
  • for international applicants: official TOEFL or IELTS scores submitted directly form the testing agency

  Submit the following documents to the Chemistry Department

  • one official academic transcript from each institution attended
  • three letters of recommendation
  • statement of purpose

• What is the deadline for applying to the Chemistry Department?

  The Chemistry Department has a deadline of January 31 for receipt of all application materials (including test scores, official transcripts and letters of recommendation) for regular fall admission to the graduate program. Please be aware, however, that some special fellowship opportunities such as UGA Graduate School Assistantships and Presidential Fellowships require an application deadline of January 1, so the earlier an application is received, the better. Applications received after the January 31 deadline may still receive consideration depending upon space and funding availability.

• Can I apply for admission to the Spring semester?

  The Department of Chemistry assumes that all new graduate students will start their studies beginning in the Fall semester in August. Exceptions are sometimes granted to newly admitted students to defer their admission from the fall to the spring semester due to extraordinary circumstances, but this is rare. We do not directly admit new students for the Spring semester beginning in January.

• What is the mailing address for the Department of Chemistry?

  Department of Chemistry
  University of Georgia
  1001 Cedar Street
  Athens, GA 30602-2556
  

• What is the mailing address for the Graduate School?

  Graduate Admissions
  University of Georgia
  320 East Clayton Street, Suite 400
  Athens, Georgia 30602-4401
  

• Can I send photocopies of my standardized test scores?

  Photocopies of your standardized test scores are not acceptable. The Graduate School must receive official copies of all test scores transmitted directly from the testing agency prior to the admission deadline. Your application is not considered complete and will not be acted upon until the University of Georgia receives official copies of your test scores.

• Can I send photocopies of my university transcripts?

  Photocopies of your university transcripts are not acceptable. The Graduate School must receive official copies of all transcripts sent directly from your former academic institutions prior to the admission deadline. Your application is not considered complete and will not be acted upon until the University of Georgia receives official copies of your transcripts.

• What is the application fee and can it be waived?

  The Graduate School of the University of Georgia requires that all applicants pay a $50 non-refundable application fee before their applications will be processed. Your application is not considered complete and will not be acted upon unless the Graduate School receives your application fee. Since this is a Graduate School requirement, the Chemistry Department can not waive this fee.

• Can my recommenders fill out their letters of recommendation on-line?

  Yes, the Graduate School has the capability to allow recommenders to submit letters of recommendation through its on-line application process. When you fill out your Graduate School application, you must list the names of your recommenders in the application along with their e-mail addresses. The Graduate School will then send them a link to access a secure web page where they can submit your recommendation quickly and easily on-line.

  If you or your recommender prefers to send the letter as a hard copy or an email, it should be sent directly to the Chemistry Department using the form provided here.

  http://www.chem.uga.edu/forms/cgi/LetterRecommend.pdf

  You must fill out and sign the top portion of this form.

• I am interested in the interdisciplinary research programs at UGA such as the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center or Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry. Do I apply directly to these centers and institutes?

  All the interdisciplinary research Centers and Institutes at UGA take their faculty from participating departments; they are not able to confer degrees themselves. That is the responsibility of the academic departments. Therefore, if you are interested in working with a faculty member in a specialized Center or Institute, you must apply for graduate admission directly to the department of that faculty member, for example, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, etc. While you may work under the auspices of a Center or Institute, your graduate degree must be earned under the specific rules and regulations of an academic department.

After Applying

• When can I expect to receive a decision?

  Admission to the Graduate Chemistry Program at UGA is selective and we receive more applications than we have spaces. Therefore, the earlier your application materials are received and forwarded to the Department, the earlier you will receive a decision. Those students who meet the admissions criteria outlined above and whose information is received by the application deadline should receive notification within a few weeks after all their application materials are received.

• I would like to visit the Department of Chemstry and UGA. Do you arrange visits for prospective graduate students?

  Yes, we provide several methods for prospective students to visit the Department of Chemistry at UGA.

  First, if you have already applied and been admitted to our Department, we schedule specific visitation days for admitted students during the winter and spring. During these visits we arrange a day-long schedule with faculty and students so that you can get a feel for the research environment of our Department. The Department will also provide you with a travel stipend and pay for local living expenses during your stay. These visits are generally scheduled for several Fridays during March and April. It is advantageous if admitted students could arrange a visit on one of these Fridays. However, if that is not possible, we will work with you to try and arrange a schedule to accommodate your needs.

  If you have not yet applied or been admitted to our Department, you are still invited to visit us during the academic year. Someone from the Graduate Program Office will meet with you and answer any questions you may have about our Department and graduate program in chemistry. Depending upon your interests and faculty availability, we can also arrange for faculty or student interviews during your visit.

  You may contact our Graduate Program Office for visitation details. This office can be reached by phone (706-542-1936) or e-mail (grad_program@chem.uga.edu).

• How can I check the status of my application?

  The Graduate School of the University of Georgia has a process by which you can check the status of your application on-line. Once you officially apply for admission to the Graduate School and pay your application fee, you will be sent an e-mail message confirming your application. This e-mail will contain an ID number and numerical password specific to your application file. You may then directly access your application information at the "Check Your Status" page of the Admissions section of the Graduate School web site.

  http://www.gradsch.uga.edu:5080/student/

  If you have problems with getting access to your information, contact the Graduate Admissions Office in the Graduate School directly at gradadm@uga.edu.

  You may also want to review the Graduate School admissions requirements which can be found at their website.

  http://www.grad.uga.edu

  Look under "Prospective Students" at the top of the page. There is a great deal of information there concerning applying to Graduate School at UGA.

• Can I change my application after I have submitted it?

  Yes, you may update your application materials at any time during the application process before a decision is made. Please send any updated material to the Chemistry Graduate Program Office at our mailing address (provided above) or to grad_program@chem.uga.edu. Any updates to official transcripts or test scores must also be reported directly to the Graduate School.

• Are placement exams required for new students?

  No. We do not administer placement exams for new incoming students.

• Can I start graduate school in the summer?

  The Department of Chemistry assumes that all new graduate students will start their studies beginning in the Fall semester in August. While it is possible for a new student to arrive in the summer semester, it is not usual. Graduate chemistry courses are not offered in the summer, so summer arrival is only advised for those students who have previously made individual arrangements to work with a specific professor during this time.