Department of Chemistry Guidelines

The University of Rochester now only accepts online applications for graduate study.  Please follow the link provided to access the online application.  At the completion of the online application, you will have the chance to attach your personal statement so that it can also be received electronically.  Additionally, recommendation forms and directions for where to have transcripts sent are provided within the online application system.

Application Fee
No application fee is required of applicants to the Chemistry Department. Note that this differs from other departments at the University of Rochester, so you may disregard references to application fees on other University web pages.

Application Deadlines
The Department of Chemistry can admit students who apply any time of year; however, preference for September admission will be given to applicants for whom all application materials are received before January 15th.

Financial Aid
The Department of Chemistry offers a tuition waiver and full-year stipend to all graduate students in the PhD degree program. However, applicants are encouraged to apply for outside funding such as NSF or New York State fellowships.

Standardized Tests
Applicants are urged to take the exams listed below sufficiently early so that results can be considered in conjunction with the candidate's other records. These examinations are given four or five times during the year at worldwide centers. Obtain information and registration materials from your current institution or write to: Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541. The University of Rochester code number for GRE and TOEFL reports for the College of Arts and Sciences (of which the Department of Chemistry is a part) is 2928.Be sure to follow the ETS instructions concerning department codes to ensure that your scores are sent to the Chemistry Department.

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): All applicants should take the general (aptitude) test and should report the verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores and percentiles. In addition, the advanced test in Chemistry is highly recommended.

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all Chemistry applicants whose native language is not English.  The Chemistry Department strongly recommends the Test of Spoken English (TSE) for all applicants for whom English is not their first language.

The University of Rochester code number for GRE and TOEFL reports for the College of Arts and Sciences (of which the Department of Chemistry is a part) is 2928.Be sure to follow the ETS instructions concerning department codes to ensure that your scores are sent to the Chemistry Department.

Supplementary Information for Non-U.S. Students
Any documents or letters submitted in support of your application should be in English or should be accompanied by an English translation. Please do not send secondary school records.

To obtain a visa for study in the United States, international students must present the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or IAP-66) at a U.S. consulate or embassy and demonstrate full proof of ability to pay all tuition and living expenses for the first year of study. University fellowships may not cover all of these expenses; students will ordinarily need some additional funds. The International Student Office will issue the I-20 or IAP-66 after a student has been admitted, paid the required admission deposit, and demonstrated proof of his/her ability to pay all expenses for at least the first year of study. Questions should be addressed to: International Student Office, 209 Morey Hall, University of Rochester 14627, telephone (585) 275-6763 or fax (585) 244-4503.

Transcripts
Transcripts should come directly from registrars. Ask the registrar of each college you have attended, including the University of Rochester, if applicable, to send a transcript directly to the Graduate Studies Office, Department of Chemistry, RC Box 270216, Rochester, NY  14627-0216  USA.

Letters of Recommendation
You will find the recommendation forms when completing the online application.  Fill in the top of the recommendation forms before giving the forms to the persons you are asking to recommend you. Supply a stamped envelope addressed to the Graduate Studies Office, Department of Chemistry, RC Box 270216, Rochester, NY  14627-0216  USA.

Equal Opportunity Policy
The University of Rochester provides equal opportunity in admissions and student aid regardless of sex, age, race, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin. Furthermore, the University complies with all applicable nondiscrimination laws.