{"id":38,"date":"2009-05-05T16:20:47","date_gmt":"2009-05-05T20:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2025-10-06T11:00:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T15:00:19","slug":"admissions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/admissions\/","title":{"rendered":"Admissions"},"content":{"rendered":"



The Graduate Program in Bioinformatics at Boston University offers both the Doctor of Philosophy<\/strong> [PhD] and the Master of Science<\/strong> [MS] degrees. Students in the doctoral program attain a common core of knowledge, with particular emphasis on their ability to integrate knowledge from biological and mathematical disciplines. The emphasis of the MS program is preparation for the most cutting-edge industrial positions in Bioinformatics.<\/p>\n

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program uses a holistic approach to applicant evaluations. Holistic review considers a broad range of candidate characteristics which can contribute to successful completion of a graduate degree program, including: research experience, academic performance, personal character, motivation, leadership, community service, communication skills and demographics. The Bioinformatics Program no longer requires GRE scores and will not use scores during application evaluations in either program.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bioinformatics Program is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Deadlines<\/h1>\n

MS Program:<\/strong>
\nFall semester<\/span> <\/strong>
\nPriority February 1 <\/strong>
\nInternational applicants April 1 <\/strong>
\nFinal July 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spring semester<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Priority October 15 <\/strong>
\nFinal November 15<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apply Here<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

PhD Program: <\/strong>
\nFall semester<\/span>
\nDecember 1 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Bioinformatics does not accept PhD Program applications for the Spring semester.<\/h6>\n

Apply Here<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you require accommodations to assist with any part of the application, please visit the\u00a0Disability Services<\/a>\u00a0website, or contact the Bioinformatics office by email at bioinfo@bu.edu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Requirements<\/h1>\n

For MS and PhD Applicants<\/h2>
<\/p>\n

1. Online application form. Find the application here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Three recommendations, preferably from professors.<\/p>\n

3. Transcripts from all colleges previously attended.<\/p>\n

4. Personal statement\/statement of purpose<\/p>\n

5. Resume<\/p>\n

Please contact Bioinformatics to confirm all materials have been received.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:<\/h2>
<\/p>\n

Bioinformatics does not require International PhD applicants to submit a Financial Declaration in order for the application to be reviewed<\/strong><\/p>\n

International students that are offered admission will be required to submit an International Student Data form and supporting documents.<\/p>\n

International student applicants must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)<\/strong>. This requirement is waived only if an applicant has received, or expects to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in any of the following countries prior to enrollment: The United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.<\/p>\n

In order to be admitted, students must achieve a TOEFL iBT score of 90\/120 if the exam is taken before January 21 2026, or 4.5\/6 if the exam is taken after January 21 2026. For the new TOEFL iBT score reports starting in January 2026, Students who are most competitive for admission will have a total\/overall score of 4.5 or higher. BU will also review your component scores for consistency within each subject area.<\/p>\n

In addition to the TOEFL, the International English Language Testing System\u00a0(IELTS) is also accepted as proof of English proficiency. The minimum score required of international applicants is 7.0. Please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org<\/a> for more information regarding testing dates and score reports.<\/p>\n

The Boston University code for TOEFL is 3087<\/strong>; for the department code, mark “other” or “not listed.”<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Application Process<\/h1>\n

Please do not send documents directly to Bioinformatics. All documents accompanying an application should be uploaded electronically.<\/p>\n

There is a $95 application fee.<\/p>\n

It is not necessary for students to submit documents of achievement, such as a thesis, diploma or a list of awards. These can be detailed in the application.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Graduate Program in Bioinformatics at Boston University offers both the Doctor of Philosophy [PhD] and the Master of Science [MS] degrees. Students in the doctoral program attain a common core of knowledge, with particular emphasis on their ability to integrate knowledge from biological and mathematical disciplines. The emphasis of the MS program is preparation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1728,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":44,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1728"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9649,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38\/revisions\/9649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bioinformatics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}