Application and Admissions Information

Neuroscience is considered by many to be the "last scientific frontier." Our large multidisciplinary program provides a wonderful opportunity to study Neuroscience in a rich, supportive environment. Our coursework provides students with a solid foundation in each of the major areas of neuroscience, plus the opportunity to do cutting edge research with world famous neuroscientists. With over 125 graduate faculty, and an environment that thrives on collaboration, the opportunities for students to partake in multidisciplinary research abound. Our graduate students come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse scientific interests. Therefore, we do not have a specific set of coursework prerequisites for admission into our graduate program. However, experience tells us that the most appropriate background includes coursework in biology, chemistry (including biochemistry), psychology, mathematics, and physics.

Mission and Vision of the GPN Admissions Committee 

The Admissions Committee of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota is committed to identifying and admitting individuals who demonstrate a strong motivation for scientific discovery, a deep commitment to research, and the potential to become innovative and impactful leaders in neuroscience.

Our mission is to build a diverse and dynamic graduate community by holistically evaluating each applicant. We recognize that excellence in science arises from a wide range of academic backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We welcome applicants from all disciplines and academic backgrounds who share a passion for neuroscience and demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and perseverance in their pursuit of knowledge. We place a strong emphasis on research experience and potential. Our review process carefully considers all elements of the application, including personal and research statements, letters of recommendation, and academic performance. During our evaluation we seek to understand the breadth and depth of each applicant’s unique trajectory, academic background, and experiences. Transparency and fairness are central to our admissions process. We strive to make our evaluation and decision-making practices equitable, clear, and consistent. In doing so, we ensure that all applicants are given thoughtful consideration within the context of their opportunities and challenges. 

Ultimately, our goal is to admit students who are academically prepared, intellectually curious, resilient, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community through rigorous research and collaborative discovery.

Requirements for Admission

Research Experience

Our Admissions Committee seeks out students who have demonstrated strong initiative, creativity, productivity, and a passion for discovery.

All of our students possessed research experience during their undergraduate or post-undergraduate education, experience which has often helped them clarify their research interests. We encourage all students to work in a research environment prior to applying to our graduate program. 

We prefer an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 for admission into our graduate program. We no longer require submission of the GRE, nor, if submitted, do we look at the scores. Students whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL and obtain a minimum score of 625 on the paper based exam, 95 on the internet based exam, or obtain 6.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examination. Comparison scores for other TOEFL exams are available here. All prospective students are required to fill out an application, and as part of your application, we require three letters of recommendation and a personal statement about your ambitions and motivations for a research career. Your personal statement should indicate why you are interested in Neuroscience in general, and why you are interested specifically in our Graduate Program in Neuroscience.

To give you a realistic view of the strength of your application, students accepted into our program have, on average, a GPA of 3.5. Again, this is an average and not a requirement.

Campus Visit and Financial Support

In February, we invite our top candidates to the Twin Cities, and introduce them to our program, faculty, and students. These prospective students are provided an opportunity to sample the research environment by visiting labs from their areas of interest. This trip also allows prospective students the chance to explore the campus and the Twin Cities area. Candidates accepted into the program will be notified shortly after the campus visit. Once accepted into our program, we provide a considerable stipend, full tuition benefits, and health care benefits during their first year in the program. Once students have selected a PhD advisor, their advisor provides financial support until completion of the PhD. The program is strongly committed to training students of diverse backgrounds and welcomes all applications.

Filling out the University of Minnesota Graduate School application

All students applying to the Graduate Program in Neuroscience should fill out the application form provided by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Graduate School. To simplify completion of this form, we hope the following instructions will be useful to you.

The general application form requests two "applicant statements", a Research Statement and a Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE)  Statement. You will also be asked for an academic Resume/CV.  Instructions for these required application materials are given below.

Statement 1 (Research Statement)

Please write a 1000-1500 word statement addressing your research experience following the guidelines and order described below.

1. Introduction & Goals

Briefly describe the experiences that inspired your interest in neuroscience and motivated you to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience.

2. Research

Provide a description of the independent research that you have performed to date. Include any undergraduate research activities, internships, abstracts/publications, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in neuroscience.

For one or two of the research projects you led or were involved in, please summarize the rationale, experimental question, approaches, results, conclusions, and impact. Emphasize aspects of the work that demonstrate your creativity and independent critical thinking. 

3. Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Please explain your specific interest in the GPN at the University of Minnesota.

Also, please indicate if there are particular faculty members with whom you wish to study, stating the names of the identified faculty and explaining why you want to study with those persons.

Statement 2 (Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE))

Diversity of views and experiences is fundamental to the University’s mission, and the University’s faculty, staff, and students share responsibility for the collective achievement of this goal.

Describe the challenges you have faced, skills you have built, or lessons you have learned that will provide you with a unique ability to contribute to the University of Minnesota’s community.

Guidelines:
Please write a 500 words statement addressing the prompt above.

Enrolling and graduating students from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. 

You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success.

You may also wish to describe any specific challenges you faced.  These could include, but are not limited to, personal or professional challenges such as dealing with a disability, participating in collegiate athletics, raising a family, working significant hours (outside of research) while in school.

You may also use part of this statement to explain how extenuating circumstances may have affected your academic performance. 

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Please follow the NIH Guide for Résumés & Curricula Vitae.

Financial Aid section

The Graduate School uses a common application form. We would like to make it clear that all matriculated neuroscience PhD students receive financial support during their graduate career, including a generous stipend, fully-paid tuition, and health care benefits. Therefore, please just check "yes" to the first question on the Financial Aid section (that you have applied for a fellowship). You do not need to fill in any of the other questions in this section.

Domestic Applicants
(United States Citizens and/or Permanent Residents and Residents of Puerto Rico)

November 20

International Applicants
(Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-Permanent Residents)

November 20

Please Note: You must submit specific materials to the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota. Any materials submitted through Graduate School Online Application System will automatically be delivered to both groups, and do not need to be sent twice. See below for more details.

APPLICATION MATERIAL TO SUBMIT TO
THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN NEUROSCIENCE Submit the following items through Graduate School Online Application System or by mail to:

Graduate Program in Neuroscience
University of Minnesota
6-145 Jackson Hall
321 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Transcripts. Original or photocopy. Submission through Graduate School Online Application System is preferred. (If accepted, an official copy will be requested)

Current registration information. If you are currently enrolled at an academic institution, you should provide a separate sheet listing all courses you expect to complete as part of your present program. (This can be submitted in Graduate School Online Application System, or via email to [email protected])

TOEFL or IELTS Results. For non-native speakers of English only. Initially, a photocopy of an official report is acceptable. However, we must receive an official ETS report before acceptance into the program.
(TOEFL: Institution Code 6874, Dept. Code 99 for Not Listed)

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota has approved new temporary English language proficiency test options for the 2022 admissions cycle. Applicants should note that the Graduate Program in Neuroscience will honor these new requirements detailed there:

https://grad.umn.edu/admissions/international-student-resources/english-language-proficiency.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation. The letters do not have to be in a specific format. Letters should be uploaded through the Graduate School Online Application System, but they will also be accepted if addressed to the Admissions Committee at the above address. The envelope should be sealed and signed on the flap.

APPLICATION MATERIAL TO SUBMIT TO
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submit the following items through Graduate School Online Application System:

Graduate School
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Application for Admission.

You must complete the application form online. When completing the application, please note the following:

The proposed major for Neuroscience is "Neuro. PhD - 059060208"

The proposed term of entry is "Summer" and the year you wish to enter.

Application fee. $75.00 USD for Domestic Applicants, $95.00 USD for International Applicants.

(This fee is charged by the Graduate School to apply. These funds are used to cover the costs of the software licensing and staff support associated with processing your application at the college level. As such, we do not have the ability to waive or remove this fee. The Graduate Program in Neuroscience does not have a fee to apply, and we do not receive any of these funds.)

Statement of purpose. (See above descriptions for more details)

QUESTIONS / MORE INFORMATION If you have any questions about our application process or require more information, please contact our office:

Graduate Program in Neuroscience
University of Minnesota
6-145 Jackson Hall
321 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Tel. 612-626-6474
Fax 612-626-6460
[email protected]