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Virtual Open House - October 11, 2021A Message From the Dean
 

COVID-19 Updates for Graduate College Applicants

March 20, 2020

 

Dear Graduate College Applicants,

 

The Rush University Graduate College remains fully committed to removing barriers that applicants face during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

In light of federal, state, and city mandates for individuals to shelter in place, the Graduate College will temporarily suspend the requirement of the GRE and professional school standardized test scores (MCAT, PCAT, DAT, etc) scores for admission to the Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS Programs. (See below for full admissions requirements.) 

 

In the absence of these test scores, I am charging our admissions committee to (1) modify how parts of the application is weighted, (2) continue to review each application in a holistic manner, and (3) make recommendations based on the merit of the sum of the components of the application and likelihood to succeed in respective Programs.

 

For applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside of the United States, we will accept WES scores as an alternative to the ECE. Also, alternatives for the TOEFL will be considered on a case-by-case basis via a written email request to the admissions team at gc_admissions@rush.edu. (See below for full admissions requirements.)

 

If you have specific questions related to admissions, please contact Dr. Marenda Wilson-Pham (marenda_wilson-pham@rush.edu) or the admissions team at gc_admissions@rush.edu.

 

Thank you for your interest and patience during this time. I want you to know that the Graduate College looks forward to welcoming you.

 

I hope you and your family are safe and well.

 

Kind regards,

Andy 

Admissions

The Graduate College provides access to a research environment. It offers MS and PhD degrees in the biomedical sciences and prepares students to be next-generation leaders though rigorous coursework, research training, professional development and community outreach for students at all stages of their lives and careers.

Application Process

All materials will be collected via our online application system. Below is a list of required materials that are required to complete the application process.

All components of the application must be submitted electronically by applicants. Please note that there is no need to submit official transcripts or tests scores as part of the preliminary application process. Copies of your transcript and test scores will need to be uploaded by the applicant to the online application system. Once we complete the preliminary admissions process, we will contact you directly to request official documents if needed.

1. Application form - You must create an account to apply. Please click the following link to begin the process:
   Apply Now
2. Unofficial transcripts - An unofficial copy of your transcript from every college and university attended is required, even if only one course was completed. Transfer credits listed on another transcript does not waive the submissions of a transcript from that school. Copies should be uploaded online via the application system only.
3. Grade point average - GPAs must be converted to a 4.0 scale.
4. Standardized test scores - Standardized test scores are optional for all programs. Applicants applying to the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program have the option to submit GRE scores. Please upload a copy of your ETS score report online with your application (even if you have already sent in an official copy to the Graduate College via ETS). Applicants applying to the Biotechnology and Clinical Research MS Program may submit GRE, MCAT, PCAT, GMAT or DAT scores with their application.
5. TOEFL/IELTS scores - Scores must be submitted for international applicants who have received a diploma from a university at which English is not the language of instruction. TOEFL/IELTS scores will be waived for non-native English speakers who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a US accredited institution and have demonstrated language proficiency supported by the interview. TOEFL and IELTS are the only scores the Graduate College will accept.
6. Applicant fee - A $50 application fee is required to submit the application.
7. CV/Resume - A CV or resume is required and should include academic honors, awards received in college and/or graduate school, employment history, internships, summer research programs, education history, etc.
8. Statement of purpose - Describe your current research interests as they pertain to your desire to complete the program to which you apply. Please also include specific details about your past research experience. Your statement of purpose should be limited to one page.

9. Letters of Recommendation – Three letters of recommendation are required for all programs. The Graduate College will only accept professional or institutional email addresses,  personal email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. will not be accepted. Letters must be uploaded by the online application  directly by your recommenders. The Graduate College does accept Interfolio letters of recommendation.

10. Background Check and Immunizations- Prior to matriculation, you will need to complete a criminal background check and submit your immunization records through CastleBranch. Upon acceptance into a program, The Graduate College Admissions Team will contact you with further instructions on ordering your package through CastleBranch.

11. International students (those with a degree outside the U.S.) must also submit the following:
    • Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores can be emailed directly to the Graduate College. We will waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if you completed your degree in a country where the official language is English. 
    • Official course-by-course evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), or World Education Services (WES) only. Please review their web site for their individual requirements for evaluation. Once completed, they can then email the formal evaluation directly to Rush.
12. Rush/Stroger residents and fellows need to submit United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores.

Application Deadlines

• Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD Program: 
  Applications are closed. Applications for 2024-2025 will reopen September 2023.
• Integrated Biomedical Sciences MS Program: 
  Priority deadline: May 1, 2023; Final deadline: July 31, 2023
• Biotechnology MS Program: 
  Priority deadline: May 1, 2023; Final deadline: July 31, 2023
• Clinical Research MS Program:
  June 26, 2023 (international applicants); July 31, 2023 (US citizens and permanent residents)

Tuition, fees and aid

View tuition rates here.

Rush offers financial aid and scholarships to qualified applicants.

Individual degree programs may have specific financial support opportunities or activity fees; please see the program page for details.

Graduate College–funded stipends and fees are not available for international students in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD Program.

Technical Standards

Rush University is committed to diversity, to attracting and educating students who will make the population of the scientist representative of the national population.

Our core values — ICARE — Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations. 

Observation

Students must be able to acquire information from lectures, demonstrations and experiments, written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches & data retrieval). Students must be able to observe accurately at a distance and up close, skills that require the use of vision, hearing and touch, or the functional equivalent.

Communication

Students should be able to speak and receive information in both oral and written formats. Students must be able to communicate via English effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with others and with all members of a research team, the scientific community, and general audiences.

Motor

Students must possess both fine and gross motor skills necessary to perform procedures required to conduct experiments and/or research within their chosen program discipline.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize and problem solve. Students must possess the intellectual, integrative and quantitative abilities to independently carry out these responsibilities.

Behavioral

Students must possess the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships in the training environment. Students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities.

Ethics and Professionalism

Students must understand the ethical aspects of their field and function within ethical standards of the profession and within the law. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, professionalism, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are expected during the education processes. 

The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students, who determine that they require reasonable accommodations to fully engage in the Program, should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Given the nature of our Programs, time may be needed to create and implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. To learn more about accommodations at Rush University please contact:

Marie Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Student Accessibility Services
Division of Student Affairs
600 S. Paulina Street, AAC 901
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: 312.942.5237
Marie_Lusk@Rush.edu