Admissions

Join a dynamic community of scholars and innovators—learn how to apply to our Ph.D. programs in Biomedical Science and Biomedical Engineering or our PSM in Bioinformatics, and take the next step toward advancing your career in biomedical research and discovery.

Ph.D. in Biomedical Science & Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

A strong applicant will have an undergraduate degree in the sciences, engineering, or related discipline, with an outstanding academic record. The general GRE and the subject examination are not required. Evaluation for admission will also consider the motivation and career goals of the applicant in addition to research experience and the strength of recommendations. The information below provides background on the requirements for a successful candidate.

The application packet should include:

*Note: the GRE is no longer required

  • University of Maine Graduate School application
  • Letter of interest, including motivation to pursue an advanced degree
  • TOEFL scores, if appropriate
  • Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic references
  • Official academic transcript
  • Any other relevant information that will aid in the evaluation of the applicant

Deadlines and Details:

  • Fall Admission only
  • Deadline: December 1st of the year prior to matriculation, e.g. December 1st, 2025 deadline for Fall 2026 matriculation

The Admissions Committee completes an initial review of all applicants to selected candidates for telephone interviews for domestic students, and video conference interviews for international students. Finalists selected from the initial interviews are invited for on-site interviews for domestic students, or a second round of video conference interviews for international students.  Notification of admission into the program occurs in the Spring.

For more information, view our detailed program information.

GSBSE Ph.D. Admission Tracks

New for the Fall 2023 cycle, the GSBSE introduced admission tracks that expand matriculation options for applicants. In addition to our traditional open rotations track, which gives first year students full access to secure rotations across all laboratories in the five partner sites, applicants can now apply for site-specific tracks where rotations will occur at laboratories within the given site.

Each application can only be reviewed for one Program/Track option, please be selective and choose the track that will be the best fit for your goals. 

Currently approved tracks are as follows:

  • Open Rotations Track*: The traditional GSBSE experience where first year students can rotate in laboratories across the fives partner sites before securing a home laboratory for the duration of the degree.
  • GSBSE @ JAX**: JAX Rotations Track: The GSBSE rotation experience with rotations in eligible laboratories at The Jackson Laboratory.
  • GSBSE @ MHIR**: MHIR Rotations Track: The GSBSE rotation experience with rotations in eligible laboratories at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.
  • GSBSE @ UM: UMaine Rotations Track: The GSBSE rotation experience with rotations in eligible laboratories at the University of Maine. For PhD in Biomedical Engineering only. 
  • Direct Admission Track***: Admission into the program directly into a specific laboratory without rotations (requires confirmation of acceptance by sponsoring faculty member and sponsoring institution as a Letter of Recommendation).

* NIH T32 Fellows within the GSBSE will be selected from students within this track only. For more information on the grant, please visit: https://gsbse.umaine.edu/t32/

** PhD in Biomedical Science only

*** JAX and MHIR are no longer offering Direct Admission into their laboratories

PSM in Bioinformatics

A strong applicant will have an undergraduate degree in the sciences, engineering, computer science, or related discipline, with a strong academic record. The general GRE and the subject examination are not required. Evaluation for admission will also consider the motivation and career goals of the applicant in addition to research experience and the strength of recommendations. The information below provides background on the requirements for a successful candidate.

The application packet should include:

*Note: the GRE is no longer required

  • University of Maine Graduate School application
  • Letter of interest, including motivation to pursue an advanced degree
  • TOEFL scores, if appropriate
  • Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic references
  • Official academic transcript
  • Any other relevant information that will aid in the evaluation of the applicant

Deadlines and Details:

  • Rolling Admissions
  • Fall, Spring, Summer term admissions

The Admissions Committee reviews applications regularly and notice of admission is given soon after review by email.

For more information, view our detailed program information.

If you have any further questions, please contact us.