Frequently Asked Questions

How can I learn more about the graduate program in chemistry?  To learn more, please visit http://www.che.uc.edu/graduate/info_prospective_students.html.  Once students apply, we frequently invite them to visit the department and meet with students, staff and faculty.   

How can I learn more about the application procedure?  To learn about the application requirements, please visit: http://www.che.uc.edu/graduate/admission_req.html.  Additional information about applying to the University of Cincinnati graduate school, including FAQs, can be found at: http://www.grad.uc.edu/admissions.aspx. 

Which graduate program should I apply to?  The PhD or the MS program?  If your intended terminal degree is a MS, then you should apply to the MS program.  If your intended terminal degree is a PhD, then you should apply to the PhD program.  (Applicants for the PhD program are not required to hold a MS degree.)

When should I submit my application and when will it be reviewed? The Department of Chemistry will give full consideration to applications received by February 14th.  However, since we will begin reviewing applications in January, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by January in order to maximize chances of admission.  If space is available, we will continue to accept and review applications after the February 14th deadline.

What is the status of my application?  Once you submit the online application, you will receive an email notifying you that the online application is complete.  However, the Department of Chemistry will not review your application complete until we have received all necessary application materials, including 3 letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores.  Once your application file is complete, you will be notified by email, and your application file will be given to a committee of faculty members for review.  Review of your application may take a long time.  We receive hundreds of applications, and our program is sufficiently small that it takes time to construct each graduate class.  If your application is complete and we have not contacted you with a decision, then your application is still under review and you are still being considered for admission.  We understand that attending graduate school is a very important decision for you, and we appreciate your patience during the admissions process. 

What is the procedure for evaluating my application?  Once your application is complete, it will be given to a committee of faculty members who will review it.  The committee will review your personal statement, GRE General Test and TOEFL scores, previous grades & curriculum, research experience, and letters of recommendation.  We recognize that each candidate is unique and has been shaped by a particular set of circumstances and experiences.  Therefore, we do not have strict minimums or averages for grades, GRE and TOEFL scores.  Other important factors in evaluating candidates include previous education, extracurricular activities, motivation, research interests, and reason(s) for wanting to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.   

Can I apply for admission in the winter/spring (midyear)?  We only offer admission to students for the graduate program beginning in the fall quarter of each academic year.   

What is the code for submitting my TOEFL and GRE scores to the UC Department of Chemistry?  1833.  For the purposes of reviewing your application, we will accept electronic or paper copies of your toefl and gre scores.

Do you require the TSE (Test of Spoken English)?  No.  However, if you provide it, we will consider your TSE score in evaluating your application.  All international applicants are required to submit their scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) which is administered by the Educational Testing Service.  To find more information on the TOEFL and how you can take this exam, please visit: www.ets.org. 

Do you require the Chemistry GRE?  No.  We only require the GRE General Test.  However, if you provide it, we will use your GRE Chemistry Test score in evaluating your application.  To learn more about the GRE General Test and how you can take this exam, please visit: www.ets.org. 

What are the minimum/average GRE and TOEFL scores for admission?  For the GRE General Test and the TOEFL, there are no minimums required by the Department of Chemistry.  However, the University requires a minimum TOEFL ibt (Internet-based Test) score of 68 for international students, which translates to 190 on the computer-based test and 520 on the paper-based test.  Applicants should bear in mind that students admitted to the Department of Chemistry graduate program usually have scores that are significantly higher than the University minimum. 

What kind of financial aid is available and how do I apply for financial aid?  All students who are admitted to the full-time PhD program receive a scholarship that covers tuition and most fees.  In addition, each student receives a stipend that allows him/her to live comfortably in Cincinnati.  In other words, there is no separate application for financial aid or support.  To learn more about financial support for chemistry graduate students, please visit: http://www.che.uc.edu/graduate/financial_support.html.

If I applied to the graduate program in a previous year, can I re-apply?  Yes.  We will keep your application materials for up to 2 years, and therefore, you do not need to resubmit these unless you wish to amend them.  However, you will need to re-complete the online application in order for your application to be considered for the upcoming year.  Students who are re-applying are strongly encouraged to strengthen their application by improving test scores, gaining research experience, furthering their education, requesting updated letters of recommendation, etc. 

If I did not major in chemistry as an undergraduate, can I still apply?  Yes.  Chemistry is an increasingly interdisciplinary field.  Applicants with pharmacy, biochemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and other science backgrounds may be viable candidates for the program, as long as they have some background in chemistry. 

Do you accept students seeking MS degrees?  Yes.  However, we do not guarantee financial support for MS students.  Most MS students rely on their own resources to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.  To learn more about the costs of attending graduate school, please visit: http://www.grad.uc.edu/costs-and-funding.aspx.  You will find that the cost of living in Cincinnati is significantly less than many parts of the U.S. 

When does the graduate program begin?  New students should plan to arrive in early September before the start of the fall academic quarter.   

How many students will you accept into the PhD program?  Typically we take 20-30 new students each year.  There are no quotas for domestic or international students.  There are no quotas for students from specific countries.  We accept students from all over the world, and we take pride in having a diverse student body. 

How should letters of recommendation and transcript be sent?  Letters of recommendation should be signed by the recommender.  Letters and transcripts should be sent to the Department of Chemistry at the address given on the admissions requirements web page: http://www.che.uc.edu/graduate/admission_req.html.  Alternatively, the recommender can place the letter in a sealed envelope and sign across the seal.  Then the applicant can enclose the envelope along with their other application materials and send these to the Department of Chemistry.