General Information
Help with the Application Process
If you have questions about the training and research opportunities that the Genetics Program offers, please email the Program Director, Dr. Martha Furie. If you encounter problems with the on-line application, reach out to the Program Coordinator, Ms. Jennifer Jokinen.
If as a prospective applicant you need advice about preparing application materials or have any other questions for current graduate students in the Genetics Program, please fill out this Google Form. Our student volunteers will try their best to answer any questions you might have and support you during the admissions process. Questions can be related to students' experiences as international students, first-generation PhD students or applicants, as well as general life at Stony Brook.
Requirements
For information on general admission requirements and much more, please consult the Graduate School website. A link to the on-line application for admission can be found on the Graduate Admissions page, along with additional helpful information.
In addition to requirements set by the Graduate School, other factors are considered by the Genetics Program's Admissions Committee. Candidates should show evidence of a superior undergraduate performance, ideally with strong preparation in the life sciences and coursework in genetics. The Program does not require, but strongly prefers to see, previous research experience. Whenever possible, letters of recommendation should be obtained from faculty who can address the candidate's academic qualifications and/or research expertise.
Deadlines and Required Examinations
The application deadline is January 15, although review of applications will begin soon after January 1. International applicants are urged to apply by January 1 to allow additional time for processing of visa applications. Applicants who would like to be considered for University Graduate Council Fellowships (for exceptionally well-qualified applicants) or Turner Fellowships (for applicants from under-represented groups) should submit their applications as soon as possible and well before the deadlines.
Testing requirements for English proficiency for international students are set by the Graduate School. Please consult their application page for details, which are available under 'OFFICIAL English Proficiency Scores' toward the bottom of the page. Note that students who do not meet the minimum test scores will not be admitted under any circumstances. For IELTS, the minimum overall score is 6.5, with no subsection below 6. The minimum score for TOEFL iBT is 90. Note that Duolingo is no longer an accepted proficiency test.
The Genetics Program does not use GRE scores as a criterion for admission, nor are they required to be nominated for Graduate Council or Turner Fellowships. If scores are submitted, they are removed from the application before it is sent to the Admissions Committee.
"Should I apply?"
We or our Program faculty are sometimes asked to review qualifications to help prospective students decide if they should apply for admission. Regrettably, we cannot evaluate a candidate's qualifications without a complete application. The Admissions Committee considers each candidate individually, weighing the entire application. Academic interests and performance, research experience and interests, letters of recommendation, and personal statements are all important factors. If you have a sincere interest in research in genetics, we strongly encourage you to apply.
International Students
International candidates sometimes ask if we accept students from specific countries and, if so, how many. We evaluate potential students on the strength of their qualifications, not on their country of origin. We actively recruit from around the world and select the most qualified candidates, regardless of where they are from. Just as the numbers of applications we receive will change from year to year, so too will the numbers of incoming students and the countries that they represent. Currently, 43% of Genetics students are from countries other than the United States. There is wonderful cultural and international diversity at Stony Brook, which is reflected in our program.
Interviews
It is not possible to interview every applicant, but the Admissions Committee will invite selected candidates to meet with faculty, the Program Director, and a group of current students via Zoom. Accepted students who are in the United States then will be invited to visit campus, with the Program paying for all travel, lodging, and meal costs.
Financial Aid and Support
All students (international or domestic) accepted into the Program receive a stipend (which is currently $36,000 per calendar year), subsidized health insurance benefits, a full tuition scholarship, and a scholarship that covers almost all University fees.
Students eligible for New York State residency are expected to establish residency before the Fall semester of their second year of study, since scholarships thereafter are paid at the 'in-state' tuition rate. The Graduate Program will advise and assist students in establishing residency. International students with J-1 or F-1 visas are ineligible for residency status, so full scholarships at the 'out-of-state' rate are provided.