A strong PPBS applicant is a student that has actively discerned that a doctoral program in biomedicine is the right fit for their future goals. Active discernment includes engaging in research, communicating research findings, and acquiring foundational knowledge through undergraduate or graduate coursework.
No. We no longer require the GRE.
Participants in the following programs only will be approved for a fee waiver once there is confirmation of your participation. Participants in the following programs must submit verification of program participation, such as a letter bearing the original signature of the program director or adviser, or a copy of the current contract.
You can submit verification to smbs-gradprog@buffalo.edu.
We cannot grant fee waivers for any other reasons, including for international applicants.
No. As an exploratory program, you will have the opportunity to rotate in a variety of labs during the first year to find the best fit.
Once you formally submit your application, you will be directed to your status portal, where you can upload your remaining documents, pay your application fee, and check the status of letters of recommendation.
If accepted to the PPBS, you will receive a full-tuition scholarship and financial stipend ($31,000/year) for all the years of your study (5). Therefore, you do NOT need to fill out the financial section of the online application. Financial documentation from the student is not necessary if the student is awarded departmental support (combined tuition scholarship and stipend) that equals or exceeds the annual cost of graduate study at the University at Buffalo.
Your first year will consist of introductory classes and lab rotations, and it will take place on a full-time basis (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Depending on rotations, you may also need to be available on evening or weekend hours. The academic calendar for the graduate school differs from the undergraduate calendar, including shorter breaks.
Students should consider multiple factors in deciding which lab to join. Of course, you should read previous work from the lab to see if you find it interesting. However, graduate mentors will have their own style, and each lab will have a different overall environment. It is therefore also important that you considerer how well you fit into the existing laboratory atmosphere before joining a group.
Once you have matched to a lab, you will join the doctoral program affiliated with your new PI. The PPBS is not a degree-granting program.
While there are some opportunities for teaching or tutoring, there is no formal requirement for teaching as part of your doctoral degree.
Many of our students live in downtown Buffalo or the surrounding areas. Check out the video linked below, presented by our students, to get their perspectives!
Absolutely! In fact, Buffalo is regularly named one of the most affordable cities. Want to see how far your dollar will go here? Use this cost-of-living calculator to compare.
In a city as diverse as Buffalo, you can always find something fun to do, whether it’s taking a leisurely walk in one of our glorious Olmsted-designed parks or taking in a thought-provoking work of art at one of dozens of galleries.
