Do you have an application deadline? We strongly encourage students to submit applications by December 15 for admission to the program in the following fall. However, we do accept late applications up until approximately Jan 15, which will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis.
Do you accept students for admission in the Spring semester? Students are generally accepted to begin graduate study in the fall semester (August). Transfer or MS students may be admitted in the spring term (January), but positions are limited. The deadline for spring term admission is October 1.
Can I start in the summer? Students who are offered fall admission may start in the summer if sponsored by a research group to initiate research.
Can I receive a waiver of the application fee? Georgia Tech is committed to excellence and diversity within the PhD applicant pool. The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry will consider application fee waivers for PhD applications from members of underrepresented groups who are US citizens or permanent residents (Green card holders) as well as first generation students who are US citizens or permanent residents. Please email the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Kenyetta Johnson (Kenyetta.Johnson@chemistry.gatech.edu), for additional information. In the message, please mention your citizenship and the aspect of your identity that is underrepresented (such as gender or racial/ethnic group) or if you are a first generation student. We recognize that diversity comes in many forms, and can also grant a limited number of waivers due to financial hardship. Please note, application fee waiver codes are limited and are first come, first served. Fee waiver requests will have no bearing on admission decisions.
Is it okay for my recommenders to email the recommendation letters? If they fax or email the letter is the letter of recommendation signature form needed? Faculty members will be prompted with an email to enter their letter of recommendation via the web.
How can I check the status of my application? Itis possible to check your status by logging into your online GT graduate admission account.
Do I have to earn an MS before entering the Ph.D. program? A student may be admitted directly into the PhD program.
I am an international student. What is your minimum TOEFL score? A minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 100 is required to be considered for admission with teaching assistantship support.
I am international student who has completed at least 1 year of study at a US institution OR am a citizens of a country where English is the SOLE OFFICIAL language of instruction. Is the TOEFL/IELTS required? No, students who have completed at least one year of full-time study at a US institution or are citizens of countries where English is the sole official language are not required to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score. More details on TOEFL/IELTS requirements can be found on the institute page here: https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency
Do I have to submit scores for the general GRE exam (verbal, quantitative and writing scores) before admission can be determined? No, the GRE exam is now optional. (you can submit/report your unofficial scores on the Institute application. Official scores need only be submitted if admitted to the program)
Do you require the subject GRE? No, the subject GRE is optional.
Do you have minimum GRE and GPA scores for admission into your program? How will my application be reviewed? The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry does not have a minimum GRE or GPA requirement for admission. GRE and GPA scores are reviewed as components of your entire application. As a reference point, 80% of the PhD students admitted the program have earned a combined verbal + quantitative GRE score of 305-320 and possess an overall undergraduate GPA between 3.3 and 3.8. However, some students are admitted with scores outside of this range. Additional information describing admission criteria can be found at: Admission Criteria
When will I be notified of a decision on my application? Decisions are made between mid-January and the first week of April. Offer letters are sent via email.
When do I have to decide if I am offered admission? We would appreciate your decision by April 15 (graduate decision deadline for US institutions).
Can I visit campus? We strongly encourage you to visit campus. An invitation to participate in a graduate visitation weekend is included with the letter offering admission. During these weekends, prospective graduate students tour facilities and meet with faculty and students.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FAQ:
Are assistantships available? Each year, we admit 35-45 Ph.D. students. Nearly all admitted PhD students are supported as teaching assistants in their first year. Students beyond the first year are typically supported via research assistantships as long as they are making satisfactory progress towards the PhD
What is the current stipend? Graduate assistants include a stipend of $35,500 per year (starting Fall 2024), and also include a waiver of tuition. Next Fall our assitantship is expected to rise and will continue to increase each year for the next few years.
Do you offer fellowships beyond this stipend? Various fellowship programs provide supplemental stipends of between $1000 and $10,000 per year. These are available to students with excellent undergraduate credentials (e.g. grades, research experience, etc.). No additional application is needed to be considered for these fellowships.
Do students receive health benefits (insurance)? The student health center serves as your primary care physician. All graduate assistants receive a stipend supplement to purchase supplemental health insurance (stipend is $28K plus $1K for offset the cost of insurance = $29K stipend). Information regarding student health insurance can be found at http://www.health.gatech.edu
OTHER FAQS:
Where can I learn more about the specific academic requirements for the graduate program? Requirements for the PhD in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry can be found in the CHEM Graduate Handbook.
I am an international student and have decided to accept my offer of admission, when will I receive my I-20? I-20s are mailed between April and late May.
Is it acceptable to contact professors directly? Yes, we encourage you to contact faculty in the department to discuss mutual research interests. In addition to reviewing information on the faculty member’s website, please also review his/her recent publications using library scientific databases available at your home institution.
Do we accept the IELTS? Yes, refer to https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency
What is your policy on transferring from other graduate programs? Students are encouraged to review the Council of Graduate School’s Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants at http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGS_Resolution.pdf.