Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQ")
2. What GPA and/or GRE test scores should I have?
3. What should I include in my personal statement to make it stand out?
4. What information would you like my recommenders to include in their letters?
5. Do I need to complete a GRE subject test?
6. I took the GRE test more than once. Which score will you consider? The most recent? The best?
7. I missed your application deadline. Do you admit students mid-year?
9. I have Master's degree. Will I have to get another in your program?
10. How much will it cost me to be a student in your program?
11. When is the application deadline?
12. How many people do you admit/interview each year?
13. When will I hear if you are going to interview me?
14. How long will it take to get my degree?
15. I am neither a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident. Will you accept my application?
17. I have more questions. Who should I contact?
1. I'm currently in my last few years of my undergraduate education. What courses should I be taking in order to be considered for your program?
Although we do not exclude from consideration students who have not taken a large number of courses in the biological and chemical sciences, we are looking for students who have strong basic science backgrounds. This means that we recommend that you take and receive good grades in courses like biochemistry, organic chemistry, physiology or anatomy, and biopsychology. We also recommend a course in research methods and/or statistics.
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2. What GPA and/or GRE test scores should I have?
There are no absolute cut-offs, but applicants who are invited to interview usually have a GPA greater than 3.0 and GREs higher than 500 (verbal), 600 (quantitative) and 4.5 (analytic). Students with grades below these benchmarks require special consideration. The Admissions Committee will be required to provide justification in order to recommend these students for admission.
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3. What should I include in my personal statement to make it stand out?
We especially want to know about research projects that you have been involved in and the sort of research you imagine yourself doing if you were a student in our program. This might include naming faculty you would be interested in working with and what you see as your long term career plans. The following link will send you to our faculty webpages: http://www.ohsu.edu/behneuro/about/facultyStaff.htm
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4. What information would you like my recommenders to include in their letters?
Information about how long they have known you and under what circumstances (did you take a class with them or work in their lab?) We'd like to know what you do well and what things you're not as good at, plus how they think these things might affect how you would do in graduate school.
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5. Do I need to complete a GRE subject test?
No. There are no GRE subject test requirements.
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6. I took the GRE test more than once. Which score will you consider? The most recent? The best?
We will consider the highest score.
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7. I missed your application deadline. Do you admit students mid-year?
No. We have one application period per year. We would be happy to consider your application next year.
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8. I currently have a Master's degree in Neuroscience/Psychology/Something Else. May I transfer credits to your program?
A petition can be made any time during your first year to transfer credits received for formal course work (not research or independent study). Only courses in which a grade of B or better was received will be considered and a maximum of 45 quarter term credits from an accredited institution can be transferred to the PhD degree at OHSU. Transfer of credits must be approved first by the Graduate Program Coordinator, then the Graduate Council, the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and the Registrar.
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9. I have Master's degree. Will I have to get another in your program?
Our program has a research requirement that includes the option of completing an M.S. degree. It is not likely that your current Master's degree will satisfy our research requirement, however, we would consider this on an individual basis.
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10. How much will it cost me to be a student in your program?
We provide a stipend to all students in our program. The 2006-07 annual stipend is $23,500 for a first year graduate student and increases to $24,500 once the student is advanced to candidacy. All tuition and student fees are waived or paid for the student. Students are also covered by the University's Student Health Service. Your costs will include living expenses and textbooks.
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11. When is the application deadline?
December 14, 2007
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12. How many people do you admit/interview each year?
Approximately: 20 interviewees and 8 students matriculating.
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13. When will I hear if you are going to interview me?
You should hear from us by the second week of January, 2008. Please call or email Kris Thomason at (503) 494-7765 or thomason@ohsu.edu if you would like to check on your application status.
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14. How long will it take to get my degree?
The typical student will complete the requirements for their Ph.D. degree in 5-6 years.
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15. I am neither a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident. Will you accept my application?
All students admitted to our program can expect to be supported as graduate research assistants by one of three federally funded research training grants, by departmental funds, or by individual faculty research grants. In order to be eligible for federally funded training grant support the individual must be a U.S. citizen or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
Due to the above-mentioned funding challenges, it is rare that we extend offers of admission to foreign applicants. In order to do so, we would need to identify a faculty mentor with an appropriate funding source that is willing to be financially responsible for the student for their entire training period. Foreign applicants are encouraged to browse our faculty profiles to find one or more faculty members that match their career interests and to communicate directly with them about the possibility of joining their labs prior to applying for admission. Encouraging communications should be noted in your application personal statement.
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16. English is not my first language. However, my English proficiency is excellent. Will I need to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement?
The TOEFL is required for all applicants for whom English is not a native language. The applicant may request a waiver of the TOEFL requirement in their personal statement. The waiver is generally granted for applicants who completed their undergraduate degree at an English-speaking American university.
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17. I have more questions. Who should I contact?
Kris Thomason (503) 494-7765, thomason@ohsu.edu
Last updated: May 23, 2007