The following information should guide you through the application process for biomedical graduate training programs.
Should you for any reason encounter conflicting information on other university websites or in print materials, please consider the following as providing the most up-to-date and reliable information.
The last FAQ, "Who should I contact for help with other questions I might have? ", provides appropriate contact information should you have additional questions or require any clarification of established procedures.
Which degree programs are considered graduate "biomedical" programs?
Georgetown University offers a variety of graduate training opportunities in the biomedical sciences leading to a non-degree Certificate, or to the M.S., Ph.D., and joint M.D./M.S. and M.D./Ph.D. degrees. Click here for specific information about available "biomedical" graduate degree programs.
Other "non-biomedical" science programs (such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are also available through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, as well as the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Please note that information on this website pertains only to "biomedical" programs.
( Return to TOP )
What materials can I view online or download myself?
The most up-to-date and complete information about graduate studies through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (which includes all biomedical graduate programs) can be found on the Graduate School's website, which is updated regularly.
The most up-to-date and complete information pertaining specifically to graduate studies in the biomedical sciences is located at the Office of Biomedical Graduate Education's website, which is also updated regularly.
The online Graduate Program Catalogue includes detailed descriptions of each graduate program, admission requirements, and courses offered, as well as the academic rules and regulations for graduate students.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to complete our online application form, in lieu of submitting a paper application. Use of our online form significantly expedites processing and review of applications. Applications submitted as "hard copy" require hand data entry prior to review by the appropriate Admissions Committee, and this additional processing may therefore delay such review. For information about submitting an application, please click here.
( Return to TOP )
How do I submit an application?
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences accepts both electronic and paper applications for degree-seeking candidates. We strongly recommend that applicants submit their application electronically. The online application form is the preferred method of application. It is convenient and easy to use, and is submitted directly to Georgetown University for immediate processing. The online application will significantly expedite the processing of an individual's application, whereas applications submitted as "hard copy" require hand data entry prior to review by the appropriate Admissions Committee, and this additional processing may therefore delay such review.
Links to electronic application materials may be found by clicking here.
The paper version of the application requires submission of the application with all supporting materials in a self-assembled packet. Online applications need to be supplemented with hard copy documents (such as transcripts), which should be submitted in a single, self-assembled packet. Please note that submitting all hard copy documents in a single, self-assembled packet will significantly expedite processing and review of your application. Failure to submit hard copy documents in a single packet may result in processing delays.
The application form (paper or online), application fee, and all required electronic and/or paper documents should be received by the deadline date given on the Graduate School's website (go the the website, select your program of interest from the drop-down menu, and click "GO"; when the program page comes up, click on "Admissions" to find out the available terms of entry and application deadlines for that particular program).
Click the following to find out "What do I need to submit?" and "Where should my supporting documents be sent?"
Those applicants who wish to apply to more than one program must pay an application fee and submit separate supporting documents for each program to which application is being made. If you have an interest in multiple programs, please click here.
Further information about application procedues may be found on the Graduate School's website.
( Return to TOP )
What do I need to submit?
For detailed information on what to submit, please visit the Application Requirements Checklist on the Graduate School's website (go the the website, select your program of interest from the drop-down menu, and click "GO"; when the program page comes up, click on "Admissions" to find out the available terms of entry and application deadlines for that particular program).
( Return to TOP )
Where should my supporting documents be sent?
For detailed information on where to submit supporting documents, please visit the Application Requirements Checklist on the Graduate School's website (go the the website, select your program of interest from the drop-down menu, and click "GO"; when the program page comes up, click on "Admissions" to find out the available terms of entry and application deadlines for that particular program.
( Return to TOP )
What are the application deadlines?
For application deadlines, please visit the Application Requirements Checklist on the Graduate School's website (go the the website, select your program of interest from the drop-down menu, and click "GO"; when the program page comes up, click on "Admissions" to find out the available terms of entry and application deadlines for that particular program.
( Return to TOP )
For what semester of entry are applications accepted?
Most biomedical doctoral programs require students to commence their academic studies with a laboratory research rotation during the summer prior to their first Fall semester of coursework. Laboratory research rotations are viewed as a vital component of the curriculum designed to provide a basic research foundation and assist the student in ultimately identifying a laboratory for thesis research. Therefore, admission to most biomedical doctoral programs is for the Summer rather than the Fall term. Admitted doctoral applicants who are unable to conduct a laboratory research rotation during the summer prior to their first Fall semester of coursework (due to extenuating circumstances) may petition the Director of Graduate Studies for the program to which they have been admitted.
Most biomedical master's programs commence with the Fall semester, though a number of programs do allow Spring admission.
For possible terms of admission for individual programs, please visit the Application Requirements Checklist on the Graduate School's website (go the the website, select your program of interest from the drop-down menu, and click "GO"; when the program page comes up, click on "Admissions" to find out the available terms of entry and application deadlines for that particular program).
Georgetown University offers a variety of mechanisms for admission to doctoral biomedical training. Individuals wishing to apply to graduate study in the biomedical sciences at Georgetown may select from one of four general options which have been made available to accommodate the diverse needs of our applicants.
For information on doctoral program matriculation options, please click here.
Those applicants who wish to apply to more than one program must pay an application fee and submit separate applications and supporting documents for each program to which application is being made. Each application is processed, reviewed and acted on independently by each program's Admissions Committee to which application is being made.
Applicants who have an interest in multiple doctoral programs are strongly encouraged to consider undifferentiated admission via the Biomedical Sciences Program as an alternative. This requires the completion of only one application form, and submission of only one application fee and one complete set of supporting documents.
All applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. Program are considered for undifferentiated admission, with the exception of those who specify application to the M.D./Ph.D. Philosophy/Bioethics track
( Return to TOP )
How do I reactivate a previous application?
If you applied to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences within the last year and would like to reapply to the same program, please follow the procedures specified on the Graduate School's website under the heading "Application Reactivation Procedure".
( Return to TOP )
What are my responsibilities as an applicant?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to make certain the admission file is complete in every respect. Neither the departments nor the Graduate School can assume the responsibility of informing the applicant about erroneous or missing credentials. Consult the Biomedical Graduate Admissions Contact Information page for contact information for individual programs.
All materials (original, photocopied, or electronic documents) submitted in support of an application become a part of Georgetown University application records and cannot be returned or released to a third party.
If application materials are forged, falsified, or altered, the Graduate School will notify all relevant officials, including the individual or institution issuing the document(s) and, as appropriate, immigration officers. Submission of such materials will disqualify an applicant for admission.
Applicants should apply for admission for the term in which they wish to begin their graduate studies. Applicants who intend to register in the Summer term must apply for Summer admission and meet the Summer application deadline.
Deferral of admission is not automatic. Many departments require reactivation of the application if the student does not enroll in the term originally designated.
( Return to TOP )
How do I inquire about the status of my appliction?
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to complete our online application form, in lieu of submitting a paper application. The online application form is the preferred method of application. It is convenient and easy to use, and is submitted directly to Georgetown University for immediate processing. Use of our online form significantly expedites processing and review of applications. Applications submitted as "hard copy" require hand data entry prior to review by the appropriate Admissions Committee, and this additional processing may therefore delay such review.
Regardless of whether you apply using the online versus the paper application, all supporting documents (such as official transcripts) must be submitted as hard copy and require manual processing. Please note that submitting all hard copy documents in a single, self-assembled packet will significantly expedite processing and review of your application. Failure to submit hard copy documents in a single packet may result in processing delays.
Each graduate program has online access to the Graduate Admissions electronic database. Upon receipt of all hard copy supporting documents by the Office of Biomedical Graduate Education, each individual document is entered into the database as "received", and the document is then forwarded to the Chair of the Admissions Committee for the program to which application has been submitted. We therefore suggest that you allow a minimum of two weeks from the date your hard copy supporting documents are submitted before contacting us to inquire about the status of your application. The responsibility for reviewing and acting upon applications rests with each individual program's Admissions Committee.
To inquire about the status of your application, consult the Biomedical Graduate Admissions Contact Information page for contact information for individual programs.
The applicant bears sole responsibility for ensuring that their admission file is complete in every respect. To find out more about your responsibility as an applicant, please click here.
( Return to TOP )
Is a formal interview required?
Most doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences require a formal interview. Once your application file is complete and has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee for the program to which application has been submitted, you will be contacted if you are to be invited for an interview.
Formal interviews are required for a select pool of applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. Program. To learn more about interviewing for the M.D./Ph.D. Program, please click here.
Master's programs generally do not require an interview.
( Return to TOP )
Who should I contact for help with other questions I might have?
Most departmental and program webpages contain a "contact" link. For access to individual departmental and program webpages, please click here.
An additional listing of the major services, facilities and resources available to all Georgetown University graduate students may be found on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website.
( Return to TOP )
Return to Biomedical Graduate Program Admissions Page
Georgetown University
Office of Biomedical Graduate Education
Biomedical Graduate Research Organization
3900 Reservoir Rd, NW, Med-Dent, Room NE 303
Box 571411
Washington, DC 20057
updated 6/27/2006
