Medicinal Chemistry PhD
Application Process and Requirements

December 1

Application Opens: Mid-September

Admissions to PhD program:
Fall Term Only
No Spring Term admissions

• U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
• Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions
• Minimum Requirements
• The GRE is not required for Medicinal Chemistry
• Official Academic Transcripts
• Academic Statement of Purpose (See “How to Stand Out” section for explanation)
• Personal Statement (See “How to Stand Out” section for explanation)
• Three Letters of recommendation

Applications

• Applicants must apply through the Rackham Graduate School and setup an application account.

Application Fees

• For U.S. citizens and those with permanent resident visa status the application fee is waived.
• For Non-U.S. citizens the application fee is $90.

Campus visits will be arranged for candidates residing in the U.S., while online interviews will be arranged for candidates residing abroad for an interview.

Decision notification letters are sent between via e-mail as soon as an admission decision is reached (beginning in mid-January), with the final notifications sent by April 30.

When evaluating applications, we look at the whole picture and every piece is important. This is why we wait until all of your documents have been submitted before we will look at your application. Strong letters of recommendation are key.

Academic Statement of Purpose
Up to a two-page statement about your academic and research background, career goals, and how the PhD program will help you meet your objectives.

Personal Statement
A 500-word maximum essay that describes how your background and life experiences (including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) motivated you to pursue a PhD in our program at the College of Pharmacy.

Letters of Recommendation
Strong letters of recommendation are essential; therefore you should choose your recommenders carefully. Choose faculty who know you well and can speak to your strengths, preferably from your area of research interest. A letter from a professional, or a key educational administrator might also be appropriate. Letters from personal friends or family members are discouraged.

Is an online application required at the University of Michigan?
Yes, all applicants are required to apply online. This allows your application and fee to be sent directly to the appropriate places, enabling us to process your application much faster.

Will the College of Pharmacy review my application prior to submission?
No, the College cannot review applications prior to submission to the Rackham Graduate School.

What if I want to apply to more than one graduate program?
Instructions for applying to more than one graduate program are offered on the Rackham site.

What if I want to request or work with a specific faculty member?
During your first year, you will perform research rotations in faculty labs and at the end of the Winter term, you will be matched with a faculty member who will mentor you through your PhD studies.

Can I contact/Am I required to contact a specific faculty member to study with them?
No, the PhD Programs at the College of Pharmacy do not accept applications to do PhD work with specific faculty.

Can I get the application fee waived?
For U.S. citizens and those with permanent resident visa status, the application fee is waived.

Some applicants may qualify for application fee waivers or grants that are available from the Rackham Graduate School and this information can be found on their application fees and waivers page.

Can I have my application evaluated without paying the fee?
No. The fee must be paid before an application can be processed or evaluated.

I am an international student. Do I need to have all of my transcripts, diplomas and certificates translated?
Yes. Everything must be translated, and both the originals and translations must be submitted.

What tests are required for admission?
Official GRE scores are not required in any of the College of Pharmacy PhD programs (Clinical Pharmacy Translational Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences)

International students must take one of the following English proficiency tests: the TOEFL, the IELTS, or the MELAB. Scores for these tests are valid for two years.

What is the minimum TOEFL (or IELTS, or MELAB) requirement?
The minimum TOEFL score is 560 for paper-based tests and 84 for IBT tests; the IELTS minimum score is 6.5; the MELAB minimum score is 80.

I’m an international student but I am getting a degree from a U.S. institution. Do I need to retake the TOEFL?
Please follow the Rackham English Proficiency requirements.

Do I have to submit my recommendation letters together?
The preferred method for submitting recommendations is via the online application. Those who are recommending you can complete this online form and attach the letter of recommendation online. Both the Recommendation Form and the letter are needed. You can forward the Rackham Graduate School link to your letter writers and they can download the form themselves.

Do I have to submit both the Recommendation Form and the letter?
Both the Recommendation Form and the letter are needed. If necessary, you can forward the Rackham link to your letter writers and they can download the form themselves.

I sent my official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School. Do I have to send them to the department or College as well?
No. The department will use the transcript that is submitted with the applicant’s online application. Only Rackham must have original, official transcripts or mark sheets, bearing the institution’s official seal.

Please note: Rackham Graduate School conducts a complete audit of each transcript. Due to the high volume of documents being audited, it may take 7 to 14 business days for the notice of receipt to appear online.

I am an international student. Do I need to fill out the Affidavit of Financial Resources and Immigration Information for International Students?
Rackham Graduate School will notify you to submit the Affidavit of Financial Resources and Immigration Information for International Students only if you are offered admission by the academic program. Please do not submit this form with your application.

International Students, after admission to the program, The Affidavit of Financial Resources and Immigration Information with supporting documentation, is required.

Do you have a Master’s Degree Program?

The College of Pharmacy does have a Masters in Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences degree (MSIPS).

Do you accept transfer students?
Normally, the PhD programs do not accept transfer students. The usual process is to apply to your desired PhD program through the Rackham Graduate School by the appropriate deadline.  If you are admitted to the program, any course waivers would have to be approved on a case-by-case basis by the departmental faculty, upon review of the appropriate course syllabi from your previous institution.