Master of Science (M.S.) in Bioinformatics

Applicants are encouraged to include in their personal statements, and request that their referees also discuss, one or more examples of creative and analytical contributions they have made to a recent research project (preferred) or to a challenging course assignment.

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent. Departments may admit graduate applicants with three-year bachelor’s degrees provided these three-year degrees allow the students to pursue graduate studies in their countries. Further, the department will require prerequisite/foundation courses as needed to fill in any gaps in the student’s educational background.
Required grade point average. For admission to graduate study at VCU, the Graduate School requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. or better, however, an individual department may waive this requirement as identified through a holistic review of an application. For students with earned graduate degrees from accredited institutions, the graduate GPA may be the primary basis for consideration.
Entrance examinations. Submission of standardized graduate-level test scores (fewer than five years old) may be required by the individual program/department. Note: Not all programs require standardized test scores.  Applicants are encouraged to visit individual department and program sections of the Graduate Bulletin for information about specific test score requirements.
Letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study may be required. Applicants are encouraged to visit individual department and program sections of the Graduate Bulletin for information about specific requirements.
Statement of intent. Applicants are encouraged to visit individual department and program sections of the Graduate Bulletin for information about specific requirements.
Such additional requirements as may be established by individual programs and schools. These may include personal interviews, auditions, submission of a portfolio or other materials.
An applicant may satisfy university English proficiency requirements by obtaining a satisfactory score on the TOEFL. The university minimum TOEFL score requirement is 550 (paper-based) or 80 (Internet-based). Some graduate programs will accept satisfactory scores on the IELTS as evidence of English proficiency. The university minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.5. The PTE is also accepted with a minimum score of 65. Individual programs may require higher scores. TOEFL, IELTS and PTE scores are valid for two years.