QSB seeks applications from motivated, high-performing students with all relevant degrees in science or engineering. Students are encouraged to cross over fields and expand the interdisciplinarity of their training through QSB.
All applicants are encouraged to research the exciting diversity of research opportunities offered by QSB and contact multiple faculty and the program with any questions you may have.
QSB Information Session
Hosted by Dr. Jessica Blois
Monday, Nov. 1, noon-1 p.m. (PST), via Zoom:
https://ucmerced.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIudO2qqT0sHdavrCp59F8izUlW_ByQEE-g
Tuesday, Nov. 2, noon - 1 p.m. (PST), via Zoom:
https://ucmerced.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkduyurDIjH9GA3SJ_ZY7jq3FJ19Im6Z4W
Admissions Process: Rotation and Declaration Tracks
Applicants for Fall 2022: The priority application deadline is December 15, 2021 and the regular application deadline is January 15, 2022. We encourage everyone to submit their applications by the priority deadline.
Applicants to the Master's degree can skip directly to the Preparing your application section below.
Rotation Track
- contribute to cohesion of research culture in QSB by exposing students to more labs;
- provide unique training opportunities to diffuse knowledge and skills between labs;
- increase the ultimate fit between students and advisors;
- enable cooperative recruitment and training of students across labs;
- make it easier for the program to act autonomously and quickly in recruiting applicants; and
- provide a check-point after the first year for the evaluation of student fit to the program.
Declaration Track
- this is a dominant recruitment model in certain QSB member fields;
- this can increase recruitment of more advanced and experienced scholars to QSB; and
- this can incentivize and reward faculty to recruit students to their labs through QSB.
Preparing your Application
Interested students should review how to apply for graduate study at the Graduate Division website, introduce themselves by email to at least one QSB faculty member with Curriculum Vitae and cover letter, and apply to QSB. Late or incomplete applications are not guaranteed consideration. As of Fall 2020, the QSB program does not require GRE scores. Submitting GRE scores is optional and scores are not used in our admissions rubric. The admission committee will make no assumptions if a GRE score is omitted from an application. There is significant evidence that GRE scores disadvantage certain populations and benefit others in the application process, and the GRE may be a potential barrier to certain populations due to the cost associated with taking the test. However, the inclusion of a good score may improve the chances of getting admitted to a particular lab. Students who wish to pursue graduate studies under the mentorship of a specific faculty member should consult with them before applying.
QSB admits students on the total package of their application, with the understanding that an applicant's GPA can impact decision dates and financial guarantees. Strong applicants will possess the following:
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Research experience, including undergraduate research experience, Master’s degree, and participation in REUs.
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Professional presentations, including poster or oral presentations at campus-, regional-, or national level meetings, including undergraduate-specific meetings.
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Authorship on scientific publications.
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Fellowships and awards, including campus- or regional-level awards, travel awards, national/society level awards, and federal/international grants or awards.
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Contributions to diversity.
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An excellent academic record.
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Strong letters of recommendation.
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Motivation for research as evidenced by statement of purpose and personal history statement.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. Students applying to the QSB program should obtain at least one letter of recommendation from a person who supervised your research experience. Strong letters will speak to your intellectual ability, character, work ethic, creativity, ability to overcome challenges, and detail the quality of your previous work and potential for future productive scholarship.
Statement of Purpose
Strong QSB applicants will clearly communicate their interest and motivation for graduate school, summarize their undergraduate/graduate achievements, state their future academic objectives, and discuss how QSB fits those objectives. Your statement will help determine whether your academic objectives can reasonably be satisfied in the QSB graduate program.
Personal History and Achievement/Contributions
The Personal History and Achievements/Contributions statement is required and provides admission committees insight into an applicant’s background, accomplishments, achievements or contributions that are important in evaluating the applicant for graduate study. Relevant information includes educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities pertinent to the applicant’s academic journey, and contributions to diversity.
QSB admits students as part of a general cohort on the basis of overall fit to the program, including faculty interest. Applications are normally for Fall semester only. Deferrals will be considered on an individual basis, with applications due no later than seven months prior to the beginning of the semester when the student would like to begin graduate studies.
More Information
For more information, send inquiries to jzarate@ucmerced.edu and check out the resources available through the UC Merced Graduate Division.