Future Students
Who Is the Scientist You See Your Future Self to Be?
Biomedical research training is about discovery — scientific discovery and self-discovery. Our programs and mentors are prepared to be with you every step of the journey to your future. We invite you to explore our innovative curriculum, rigorous research training and supportive and inclusive environment.
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Put Your Passion Into Practice
With 14 master’s programs, an interdisciplinary doctoral program, a comprehensive MD-PhD program, and undergraduate research, you have more than options here — you have opportunity.
From behavioral neuroscience to cancer biology to regenerative medicine, whatever biomedical science research you’re into, you’ll get to work closely and collaboratively with our world-renowned researchers.
Our Interdisciplinary Approach
Buffalo’s grain silos tower over its inner harbor, and as the City of Buffalo finds new ways to repurpose those historic silos, here in the Jacobs School, we’re tearing silos down!
Our interdisciplinary curricula, our graduate programs, and our collaborative faculty are all working to make sure that students receive broad foundational training no matter what degree is written on their diploma. Even in our specialized departments, there are opportunities to cross-train through coursework, workshops and collaboration. As biomedicine becomes broader and broader in scope, our programs adapt to provide students educational opportunities at the forefront and intersection of science and medicine.
Academic Health Center
The University at Buffalo Academic Health Center brings together the talents of clinicians, educators and researchers to provide a superb research and educational environment to foster basic discovery in the biosciences, health-sciences translational research, preventive and interventional clinical trials, as well as superb clinical care. We train the next generation of health care practitioners.
Benefits
- We are distinct and one of only a few that include the full complement of health schools.
- We provide a unique environment by merging educational training, patient care, health-sciences translational research, and clinical trials.
- We are committed to collaboration with our centralized location in downtown Buffalo at the new home of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
How Anthony A. Campagnari, PhD, and Mark Ehrensberger, PhD, collaborated across silos to develop an innovative device to treat infections on metallic implants.
As a public school in the SUNY system, the University at Buffalo has a worldwide reputation for excellence but costs much less than private schools. Combine those accolades with the low cost of living in Western New York and funding opportunities, and your return on investment will prove hard to beat.
Applying to graduate, professional and research programs can be overwhelming! Let us help you. These tips will guide you as you decide which programs to apply to and ultimately complete your application.
How to Choose a Mentor Workbook
Is selecting a research mentor in your near future? Already feeling overwhelmed by the process?
Don't worry, we've compiled a workbook just for you! How to Choose a Mentor: 7 Steps to Find the Perfect Match is available to download at the link below.
You'll learn what makes a good mentor, how to prioritize your wishlist, how to craft an introductory email, and so much more. Download your workbook, and get started today!
Probably the best way to see if a doctoral program is the right fit for you would be to speak with graduate students and those who hold doctorates. Talking with faculty members at your school about their career paths will give you some insight into what your future may hold. Remember: Not everyone who holds a doctorate goes into academia. There are a lot of other career options out there! See if you can start to make connections in the industry you’re interested in joining.
Typically, doctoral programs take 5 to 7 years to complete, where you will take coursework early on, followed by independent research culminating in a dissertation. Our doctoral program will prepare you for a career in biomedicine by training you to lead scientific investigation with rigor; read, write and review scientific literature; and communicate science clearly and effectively.
Our alumni have attained positions in academia in both research-intensive and teaching-intensive institutions, and they have pursued careers in science policy, science writing, biotech and pharma, as well as government research and funding organizations. Our innovative curriculum provides a broad, interdisciplinary foundation in biomedical research. Students then focus on particular areas of interest as they matriculate into one of our eleven graduate programs.
1 to 3 years prior
Explore your options and schools
- See which programs have the best fit for you, based on research, structure and faculty mentors.
- Engage with programs by joining mailing lists and attending fairs and events.
Gain research experience
- Participate in research early during your undergraduate years, either during the semester or through summer programs.
- Talk early with your research mentor about the possibility of presenting your research or publishing.
- If doing a master’s program or taking a gap year(s), be sure that you are participating in research.
Coursework
- If you are a science major, make sure you are completing all your requirements and doing well in your coursework.
- If you are a non-science major, inquire early about taking biomedical science courses. Your school may have certain restrictions for which you’ll want to prepare.
- If you did not do well in a course, check with your adviser about your school’s repeat policy. Many programs (including PPBS) look to see if a course was repeated if the original grade was a C or lower. Many admissions committees will view this favorably.
Letters of recommendation
Begin to build relationships with potential letter writers. Research mentors should be able to write you a strong recommendation if you are working in their lab.
Prepare for any exams
- GRE: Some programs will require this, some will not. Make sure you know beforehand so you can prepare as necessary. Note that the PPBS does not require the GRE.
- TOEFL/IELTS: International students should begin to prepare for English Language Proficiency exams, if required.
Year of Applying
Verify application deadlines
Make sure your application materials are in before your program’s deadline.
Request letters of recommendation
At least one recommender should be a professor in the biomedical sciences. Letter writers should be able to speak to your ability to succeed in a doctoral program. Make sure you give them plenty of notice, and follow up as necessary.
Write your personal statement and CV
Your CV is a quick way for programs to get to know you, so make sure that it tells a clean, clear story in a professional format. Have several people look this over, including mentors and your career services office.
Your personal statement should be unique for each school to which you apply.
You should include:
- why you’re a good fit for that program, and why you want to attend
- your academic and research experiences and strengths
- significant accomplishments
- what sets you apart from other applicants
Have several people look this over, including mentors and your school’s writing center.
Apply!
Follow the school’s instructions on how to apply. Make sure that you submit any additional documents, such as copies of transcripts or test scores. Be sure to submit by the deadline.
If offered, prepare to interview
Many programs will require an admissions interview. If you are invited to interview, you should practice beforehand with mentors and your career services office. Remember, you are also interviewing the school to see if they are a good fit for you!