Application and Admissions FAQs
- Q. Are non-Emory students allowed to join?
- Q. When do I apply?
- Q. What are the prerequisites I need to apply?
- Q. Can we apply AP/IB test credits towards the prerequisites?
- Q. Do we have to complete all the required courses before we apply?
- Q. Do I have to have a specific undergraduate major?
- Is it OK if I take classes in the summer after my senior year to complete my undergraduate degree?
- Q. Do I need to have research experience?
- Q. I'm planning to do honors research. Can I still apply to the program?
- Q. When is the application due?
- Q. Is there a GPA minimum to apply to the program?
- Q. What is the program looking for in a candidate?
- Q. What is the average GPA of previous applicants that were given interviews/accepted?
- Q. When do I find out if I have been accepted?
- Q. What is the cost for the program?
- Q. Are there any scholarships offered for the program?
- Q. Does the program run during the summer?
Q. Are non-Emory students allowed to join?
A. No. The program is only open to Emory undergraduates.
Q. When do I apply?
A. Applications are accepted from juniors in Emory College. View details about the application process and current deadlines.
Q. What are the prerequisites I need to apply?
Q. Can we apply AP/IB test credits towards the prerequisites?
A. AP/IB credits accepted by Emory College will be accepted by the program.
Q. Do we have to complete all the required courses before we apply?
A. It is expected that all introductory courses will be completed prior to application submission. There is some flexibility for the upper-level (200+) classes. If you have questions, please contact us.
Q. Do I have to have a specific undergraduate major?
A. No. Any major that allows applicants to fulfill the prerequisites is acceptable.
Is it OK if I take classes in the summer after my senior year to complete my undergraduate degree?
No!
In the summer after your senior year, you will be working full time in the laboratory
It is not possible to enroll in the Graduate School while you are still enrolled in the College. Therefore, you must complete all your undergraduate coursework by the end of the Spring semester of your senior year.
Q. Do I need to have research experience?
A. No, prior research, while helpful, is not a requirement for admission to the program.
Q. I'm planning to do honors research. Can I still apply to the program?
A. Yes, but there are three important considerations to keep in mind:
-
The research that you do for the CBTO 4+1 program MUST be cancer-related. If your honors research is not cancer-related, you may not be allowed to work in that lab as part of the CBTO 4+1 program.
-
If you choose to work in the same laboratory for both honors and your master’s research, the projects must be significantly different from each other.
-
It is preferable (but not mandatory) that advisers to students in the CBTO 4+1 program are members of the CB graduate program. View a list of current CB members.
Q. When is the application due?
Q. Is there a GPA minimum to apply to the program?
A. No, but the program is competitive, and GPA is a factor that we take into consideration. Other factors can override the impact of a lower GPA. Individuals with less than a 3.0 overall GPA will be considered, but are less likely to be competitive for a position.
Q. What is the program looking for in a candidate?
A. In evaluating applicants, we take the following into consideration:
- Evidence of interest in biomedical research. This is demonstrated by prior research, the application essay, and (for those chosen) the application interview.
- Letters of recommendation. It is important to get letters from individual who can speak to your laboratory research capability and/or interest.
- Coursework. We look at the courses chosen and performance.
- GPA. While this is not the primary criterion for selection, applicants of otherwise equal potential can be separated by classroom performance.
Note that not all applicants may be offered an interview. Interviews may be done in person or virtually via Skype or other interface.
Q. What is the average GPA of previous applicants that were given interviews/accepted?
Q. When do I find out if I have been accepted?
Q. What is the cost for the program?
A. The program costs include tuition for work done in the summer following graduation from Emory College and during the next academic year. There are no costs associated with the program for work done during the participant’s senior year in Emory College. View details.
Q. Are there any scholarships offered for the program?
A. Currently there are no need-based or merit scholarships available for the CBTO 4+1 program. Students are encouraged to talk to their adviser, as in some cases it may be possible to apply for funds to help offset the costs of the program. For example, faculty holding NIH R01 funding can request supplements to their grants to support underrepresented minority students. Because supplemental funding is not guaranteed, applicants should assume that they would be responsible for paying the cost of the program.
Q. Does the program run during the summer?
A. Yes. Participants are expected to work during the summer after their graduation from Emory College. The summer session typically starts about 10 days after graduation. Graduate credit will be given for this work.