Biological Sciences M.S. Application Information

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, zoology, or a related subject area approved by the Department of Biological Sciences
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.50 overall or 3.00 for the last 60 units of semester credit
• GRE test scores are NOT required

• The Master of Science Biology Graduate Program admits new graduate students during the Fall semester only.
• Priority applications open October 1st and close February 1st. The earlier your application is completed, the sooner it can be considered. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Complete applications arriving after February 1st will be considered in the order they arrive, only if there are positions remaining in the program. Once the application deadline closes, all complete files will be reviewed over the next 6 weeks.
• Our Master’s program relies heavily on the relationship between faculty advisor and graduate students. You must identify and contact potential advisors as soon as possible (see faculty advisor section below).
• General information about graduate programs at Cal Poly Humboldt can be found in the Office of Graduate Studies

• You must contact at least one potential advisor before you submit your application. Your faculty advisor will serve as your guide throughout your time in our program and will play a crucial supporting role in your research project.
• Check the Biological Sciences website for the list of faculty and research areas. Graduate Advisors are always on the lookout for promising students, so don't hesitate to make contact.
• Contact faculty by phone, email, or in person.
• In your communications with the faculty, inquire whether they plan to take on new students and whether they anticipate having funding to support new students. Be proactive and assertive about your strengths, research
  interests, and professional goals. Use these conversations to establish whether working with a particular faculty would be a good fit for you.
• To complete your application, you will have to indicate which faculty you aim to work with and why; thus, these conversations will be critical to craft your personal statement and complete the required forms.

• Contact a potential advisor as early as possible (see Faculty advisor section)
• Application: Complete the California State University Graduate Application online at CAL STATE APPLY before the February 1st deadline. An application fee is required at the time of application. The Institution Code for Cal Poly Humboldt is 4345.
• You will have to upload a 2-page Personal Statement. Prepare your personal Statement to communicate your motivation and interest in graduate school, in this program specifically. Highlight your academic and professional qualifications and your professional goals. Specify the research areas you want to develop expertise in, and identify at least one faculty member you would be interested in working with. Be professional, concise, and use this space to communicate your narrative with emphasis on what we cannot see in the rest of your application materials.

• Three letters of recommendation: will be submitted directly through the CAL STATE APPLY system.

   

•  Paper: Have official transcripts in their original unopened envelope sent to:
  • Cal Poly Humboldt
    Office of Admissions
    1 Harpst Street
    Arcata, CA 95521
• Electronic transcripts: Cal Poly Humboldt currently accepts electronic college transcripts via Credentials Solutions, Scrip- Safe, eTranscript California,  and Parchment. Please check with your college registrar's office to see if they use one of these electronic services. If your school only provides transcripts through Scrip-Safe or Parchment and the drop-down menu option is apply@humboldt.edu, this will be considered Official.  If you have
  to type in an email address, this transcript request will be considered Unofficial and will not be accepted. Third-party services outside of those listed above will not be accepted.
   
• Cal Poly Humboldt transcripts: If you were enrolled at Humboldt as a regular matriculated student within the past 5 years, we will still have your file. You do not need to request transcripts for any work completed at Humboldt within this time frame. Contact the admissions office if your records are dated more than 5 years ago.
   
• You can track your application within your Student Services center
   
• Next steps: Once accepted into our program, you will receive communication from the Department of Biological Sciences. If you are accepted into our program, about two weeks before registration, you will receive a posted letter in the mail with your Humboldt Student ID and login information.

•  Establishing California Residency: there are important criteria that must be established up to one year before the residency determination dates. Review residency requirements now for tuition purposes.
• Our graduate programs are part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), allowing students form the Western US states and territories to pay in-state tuition. Check if you qualify.
•  File FASFA now (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Form opens on October 1 st each year with a deadline on March 2 nd . To be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistant Tuition Fee waiver and other financial benefits, you need to file this form on time.
•  Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Research Assistant Tuition Fee waivers: For students supporting instruction within the Department of Biological Sciences. Limited availability contingent upon funding, requires
  FASFA to be filed on time, and you will still be responsible for some school fees.
•  Additional information about financial aid, scholarships, and costs can be
  found in the Financial Aid office and the Graduate funding opportunities at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Visit the center for international program graduate students