Overview of the application process
Admission to the Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology is highly competitive. We are looking for highly motivated applicants with excellent academic records. The potential of each applicant for successful graduate study is judged by the Graduate Student Selection Committee, which comprises faculty members representative of the Field. Each year we receive many more applications than we have space or funding for, and each year we must turn away some very qualified candidates.
There is no single profile with which to describe a successful applicant. We use several different criteria to judge applications, including, but not limited to:
- Interests and motivation to study Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
- Related work and/or research experience
- Prior academic training and record
- GRE scores
- TOEFL scores (when applicable)
- Letters of recommendation
- Campus or telephone interview
- Any other evidence bearing on the applicant’s aptitude for scientific research and scholarship.
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How to Apply: Application details
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Interests and motivation: The application requires a one- or two-page statement of purpose describing your reasons for undertaking graduate work, as well as an explanation of your academic interests, including their relation to your undergraduate study and professional goals.
Related work and/or research experience: Training in a work or research environment can be valuable experience for undertaking graduate studies. Please include a summary of your experience in your statement of purpose.
Prior academic training and record: Applicants should have, or expect to receive soon, a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with broad training in the biological and physical sciences. They should have introductory-level knowledge of biochemistry, botany, calculus, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, mycology, organic chemistry, physics, plant pathology, plant physiology, soil science, statistics and computers. A deficiency in any of these subjects will not preclude admission, but it might increase the time needed to complete a graduate degree program. Course work or experience in plant pathology is desirable but is not required. Complete official transcripts of your undergraduate and graduate programs (if applicable) must be sent to the Field of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology.
GRE scores: Most successful applicants score above 1200 on the GRE aptitude tests (verbal and quantitative combined). Scores from the biology advanced test are strongly encouraged; most successful applicants score above the 90th percentile.
TOEFL scores (for international applicants): High proficiency in the English language is essential for admission to our graduate program. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL exam. The minimum score for admission on the internet-based test (iBT) is 77 (writing 20; listening 15; reading 20;speaking 22). The minimum scores for the computer-based test (cBT) and paper tests are 230 and 550, respectively. TOEFL exams must be taken no more than two years before the application is submitted. For more details, please see the Graduate School website.
Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or employers who can assess your academic potential for a graduate program are required.
Interviews: Prior to acceptance, promising applicants will be invited to visit (at the Field's expense in many cases) both the Ithaca and Geneva Departments to interview with faculty, staff, and students. For applicants for whom visiting Cornell is impractical, we will conduct an interview by telephone. Final decisions on acceptance of an applicant will occur soon after the interview.
Additional information: If there is more information you would like us to know about you concerning your potential for success in graduate studies, please feel free to communicate this with us.
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How to Apply: Application details
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Questions? At any time if you have questions about the application process, feel free to contact Ms. Margaret Haus, the Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology Graduate Field Assistant:
- E-mail: mlh2@cornell.edu
- Telephone: +1-607-255-3259
- Fax: +1-607-254-6448
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