PIBS is Your Choice in Science
Apply to any of our doctoral programs through one application.
The University of Michigan Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) invites you to explore your passion for science through our interdisciplinary gateway program, which coordinates admissions and first-year graduate studies for 14 doctoral programs with 500+ faculty laboratories. PIBS offers you the flexibility and convenience of applying to any of our programs through one application.
The Program in Biomedical Sciences offers you the flexibility and convenience of applying to any of our participating programs through one application. We welcome applications each year from September through December 1.
GRE scores are not required.
Stay up-to-date on PIBS: receive exclusive invitations to information sessions, in-depth details about our programs, tips for creating a successful application, reminders for important deadlines and much more.
All applicants must apply to PIBS through the Rackham Graduate School. You need only submit one application to be considered for any of the 14 participating Ph.D. programs. If you submit more than one application, only the first application we receive will be considered. No application fee refunds will be issued for subsequent applications.
Although PIBS is a highly selective program, every application is carefully reviewed and evaluated. We work diligently to put together a motivated, diverse, and academically strong class of incoming students every year.
Strong candidates will possess:
- Extensive research experience in a laboratory setting, including published abstracts or papers
- Strong letters of recommendation from lab mentors
- Motivation to pursue research in a resource-rich, interdisciplinary environment
- An excellent academic record
U.S. citizen and permanent resident applicants must:
- Select two Ph.D. program/department choices, in rank order. On the 'Program Selection' page of the application, click on 'Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS)' and select your primary program. You will have an opportunity to select your second program choice on the 'Program-Specific Information' page. These choices are not binding and will only be used for the assignment of your application for review. You should only submit one application. If you submit more than one application, only the first application we receive will be considered. No application fee refunds will be issued for subsequent applications.
- Provide a Statement of Purpose that describes your research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. A detailed description of your research experience is strongly recommended. Please limit your Statement of Purpose to two pages.
- Submit a Personal Statement that describes how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. Describe any major obstacles that you had to overcome to achieve your goals. Please limit your Personal Statement to 500 words.
- Solicit three letters of recommendation from research mentors or professors who can evaluate your academic and scientific potential. These letters must be sent electronically by the December 1 deadline. As you complete the Rackham Graduate School application, you will have the opportunity to electronically send invitations to professors/mentors to submit letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that you use the online recommender system. If your recommenders are unable to use this system, you should contact PIBS ([email protected]) immediately for further instructions.
- GRE scores are not required.
- Are you attending or have you graduated from a U.S. Institution? Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s) to ApplyWeb for each Bachelor’s Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress. A downloaded transcript from your university student account is not an official transcript. You are not required to send official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission.
- Are you attending or have you graduated from a Non-U.S. Institution? Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s), front and back page, to ApplyWeb from each institution attended, including in-progress and/or non-degree coursework. A downloaded transcript from your university student account is not an official transcript. For any additional document requirements, please review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements on what to submit by country. You are not required to send official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission.
- Are you attending or have you graduated from both a U.S. and Non-U.S. Institution? Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s), front and back page, to ApplyWeb from each institution attended, including in-progress and/or non-degree coursework. A downloaded transcript from your university student account is not an official transcript. For any additional document requirements, please review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements on what to submit by country. You are not required to send official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission.
- If you are unable to upload a copy of your official e-transcript due to security settings, print a copy of your e-transcript, scan the printed copy, and upload it.
NOTE: PIBS does not accept hard copies of any application materials. All materials must be submitted electronically.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and may need to take an exam such as the TOEFL. Rackham Graduate School offers a full explanation of this requirement.
APPLICATION FEES
$75 per application. Some applicants may be eligible for a waiver. Please visit the Rackham Graduate School website for more information on fee waivers and grants.
The University of Michigan is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp. To receive a BTAA fee waiver, students must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Participation in a Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at a BTAA university with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
For more information and to request a graduate application fee waiver, please visit their website.
Please note: Admission to PIBS is extremely competitive. PIBS accepts only 5% or less of the international applications received each year. In addition, not all programs accept international students.
The following programs utilize federal training grants to fund students; students appointed to these grants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Therefore, these programs do not accept international applicants through PIBS:
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular & Molecular Biology
- Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Due to funding limitations and budgetary restraints for international travel, Microbiology & Immunology will only accept applications from international students if they are currently undergraduate or graduate students in the U.S. with an F1 visa.
International / non-U.S. citizen applicants must:
- Select two Ph.D. program/department choices in rank order (please note restrictions above on programs not accepting international applications). On the 'Program Selection' page of the application, click on 'Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS)' and select your primary program. You will have an opportunity to select your second program choice on the 'Program-Specific Information' page. These choices are not binding but will be used to determine which programs review your application. You should only submit one application. If you submit more than one application, only the first application we receive will be considered. No application fee refunds will be issued for subsequent applications.
- Provide a Statement of Purpose that describes your research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. A detailed description of your research experience is strongly recommended. Please limit your Statement of Purpose to two pages.
- Submit a Personal Statement that describes how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. Describe any major obstacles that you had to overcome to achieve your goals. Please limit your Personal Statement to 500 words.
- Solicit three letters of recommendation from research mentors or professors who can evaluate your academic and scientific potential. These letters must be sent electronically by the December 1 deadline. As you complete the Rackham Graduate School application, you will have the opportunity to send electronic invitations to professors/mentors to submit letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that you use the online recommender system. If your recommenders are unable to use this system, you should contact PIBS ([email protected]) immediately for further instructions.
- GRE scores are not required.
- Are you attending or have you graduated from a U.S. Institution? Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s) to ApplyWeb for each Bachelor’s Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress. A downloaded transcript from your university student account is not an official transcript. You are not required to send official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission.
- Are you attending or have you graduated from a Non-U.S. Institution? Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s), front and back page, to ApplyWeb from each institution attended, including in-progress and/or non-degree coursework. A downloaded transcript from your university student account is not an official transcript. For any additional document requirements, please review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements on what to submit by country. You are not required to send official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission.
- Are you attending or have you graduated from both a U.S. and Non-U.S. Institution? Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s), front and back page, to ApplyWeb from each institution attended, including in-progress and/or non-degree coursework. A downloaded transcript from your university student account is not an official transcript. For any additional document requirements, please review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements on what to submit by country. You are not required to send official transcripts to Rackham Graduate School at the time of application. If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Admitted applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission.
- If you are unable to upload a copy of your official e-transcript due to security settings, print a copy of your e-transcript, scan the printed copy, and upload.
NOTE: PIBS does not accept hard copies of your materials. All materials must be submitted electronically.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency via the TOEFL exam. Rackham Graduate School offers a full explanation of this requirement, including exemption criteria. Please contact Rackham directly ([email protected]) with questions regarding the TOEFL.
APPLICATION FEES
$90 per application.
We also welcome applicants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. Visit Rackham Graduate School's website for specific instructions on how to fill out your application.
Students with DACA should contact [email protected] for questions regarding primary and/or secondary program selection on the PIBS application.
Early September – December 1
Applications are accepted beginning early September. Be sure that the e-mail address indicated on your application is accurate. We are unable to confirm applications received without a valid e-mail address. Please ensure that all required materials are submitted prior to the application deadline of December 1 (11:59 pm EST).
Find the PIBS team on the road and ask us about the program, applying and succeeding in graduate school.
December 1 – January
The PIBS Admissions Committee will begin reviewing completed applications after the December 1 deadline. After the Committee review, all applicants will either be invited to interview or be sent a notification of declined admission. We currently plan to host interviews for the 2024 admission cycle on campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Interviewees overseas would be offered a virtual interview, whereas interviewees currently located in the United States would be invited to a fully funded visit event on campus.
January – April
Applicants who are invited to interview can choose one of two interview weekends. Scheduling and additional information for these weekends is provided at the time of invitation. Decisions on offers of admission will be made after interviews. Applicants will be contacted as soon as possible to inform them of their status.
If you have questions about student activity within PIBS, contact any of these individuals.
Graduate studies are amazing time to be curious and creative, asking cool questions and seeking out the answers, learning cutting-edge technologies, critically analyzing and writing, and working together with other passionate scientists towards new discoveries and professional horizons. I am excited that you are considering the PIBS program at University of Michigan for continuing your education and hope you will join our vibrant and diverse community."
From the small class sizes, to the flexible programming, and amazing campus life, current trainees discuss the reasons why they chose U-M for their PhD.
Chesta Jain, a PhD candidate in molecular & integrative physiology, grew up in New Delhi, India. Fascinated by many educational subjects, Chesta decided to concentrate on math and biology, usually paths leading to a career in engineering or as a physician. However, when it came time to test into a college program, Chesta found that neither of those choices felt like the right fit.
Shany Yang, PhD candidate in neuroscience, was born and raised in France. At 15, her family moved to Minnesota, forcing Shany to quickly adapt to a new language, weather, and education system as she began applying to colleges, ultimately attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While living in France, Shany had expected to pursue a career as a physician, but excellent mentors and the comfort of lab work made her realize how excited she was to be a scientist.
Gabrielle Rozumek, a molecular & cellular pathology PhD student, is a first-generation college student who attended Roger Williams University, earning her bachelor’s in biology. Though the program was heavy on marine biology, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, but was unsure of what that could look like.
Serenata Su, a Ph.D. student in Pharmacology, grew up in China. He came to the U.S. to attend college, living in another Midwest community to attend Purdue University.
Francisco Gomez-Rivera, a PhD student in the Microbiology & Immunology program, grew up in Puerto Rico. Though his family was from a rural community, experiencing financial hardships, his widowed mother and sisters were his biggest supporters as he worked diligently to pursue a career in science. After finishing his bachelor's degree at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce, he decided to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. to expand his opportunities, research experience and become the first doctor in his family.
Maya Bose, a PhD candidate in Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, was not quite sure how to pivot her interest in animals, nature and biology into a career path. A good friend and fantastic mentors empowered Maya to consider research.
Check out application tips and answers to common questions in our FAQ section.
Get more application information directly from Rackham Graduate School.
If you or your recommender need technical assistance regarding the application or recommendation systems please email ApplyWeb at [email protected]. Include the following information: user name, full name, email address, and phone number. Please allow 24 hours for a response.
For any remaining questions, please call 734-647-7005 or email PIBS.
