ADMISSIONS

Admission Philosophy

The goal of the Cancer Biology Program is to train outstanding research scientists, academicians and educators who will become future leaders in cancer biology. To accomplish this goal, students are selected who have strong academic records and a demonstrated aptitude, commitment and passion for scientific research. Applicants are considered based on past academic performance, previous laboratory research experience, recommendations and individual interviews. Students most likely to succeed have traditionally been those with intellectual achievement and creativity, first-hand understanding of laboratory research, and a strong personal desire and motivation to progress in their scientific training.

We are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical) who meet the technical standards of the program, with or without reasonable accommodations.

If you are an applicant with a disability who would like to engage in a confidential consultation about disability access at CU Anschutz, or who requires accommodations to complete the application or interview process, please contact The Office of Disability, Access & Inclusion. 

Learn more in the Cancer Biology Student Handbook.

Entrance Requirements

The Cancer Biology graduate program welcomes applicants from varied backgrounds, however applicants with a good undergraduate background in math and the biological and chemical sciences are most competitive and have performed best in the Program. It is expected that students will have a strong foundation in general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and cell and molecular biology before entering the Program. In addition, successful applicants typically have undergraduate or postgraduate research experience, although this need not be cancer related.

The Cancer Biology Program requires that applicants achieve a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00. Foreign applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving a score of at least 80 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT). Official TOEFL scores must be reported directly to the Graduate School by the Educational Testing Service (School Code 4875).

Announcement: GRE scores are not required and will not be accepted.

Graduate Certificates

With the approval of the Program Director and Dissertation Mentor, current PhD students have the option of pursuing a Graduate Certificate. Certificates are designed to enhance knowledge in a specific subject area, and typically require up to 12 additional hours of course work. Please contact us for more information about Graduate Certificates currently approved by the Cancer Biology Graduate Program.

How to Apply

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS DECEMBER 1. Application will open on September 1. 

To apply for admission applicants must submit the following:

• Online Graduate School application
• A $50.00 domestic and $75.00 international non-refundable application fee [credit card (on-line only), check, or money order]. No application will be processed unless this fee is paid.
• One (1) official transcript of all academic work completed to date. To be considered "official", the transcripts must come from the issuing institution directly to the Graduate School.
  

Electronic Transcripts should be sent to: graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu

If sending a physical transcript, please mail to:

Graduate School
Mail Stop C296
Fitzsimons Building, W5107
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045

• Three (3) letters of recommendation.
• The most informative letters will come from Professors who have mentored you in your research experiences. Professors who have taught science classes you have been enrolled in, or whom you have worked with in an advisory capacity, are also good choices. We do not recommend that you ask postdocs, technicians or fellow students for letters. Likewise, members of the community are generally not good choices, as typically their understanding of biomedical PhD training, and hence their ability to evaluate your potential, is limited.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores and financial support verification (international students only).

Questions should be directed to:

CANB@cuanschutz.edu

International Applicants

PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS IS NOVEMBER 1.

Visit International Admissions for more information.