How to Apply

The application for Fall 2013 is now closed. The application for Fall 2014 will be available online later this year.

The Plant Biology Graduate Group (PBGG) accepts applications for fall quarter admission only. The PBGG accepts applications for both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Learn more about our program here.

The PBGG strongly recommends that prospective students contact faculty members whose research interests them before beginning the application process. You can find all PBGG faculty members here.

Application Process

The application for admission is exclusively available online. Click here to access the online application.

  • UC Davis uses the online application only. No paper materials (other than transcripts) will be accepted or reviewed.
  • Apply early! Don't wait until the last day. Once the deadline passes and the application closes, it can't be reopened.

Application Elements

Your application will not be considered complete until the PBGG receives all of the following items. The Admissions Committee starts reviewing applications immediately after the application deadline so it is to your benefit if all items are received before the deadline.

  • Application fee. The fee may be paid by credit card or e-check. The fee must be paid before your application will be considered complete, and the fee must be paid separately for each application you submit.
  • Letters of Recommendation. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through the online application.
    • UC Davis does not have the ability to accept letters through Interfolio or other letter services. Hard copy letters will not be reviewed.
    • Have your recommenders' contact information ready while you're filling out the online application. You will be prompted to input this information while completing the application. Once you enter this information, the online application will send your recommenders an email invitation to upload your letters.
      • If they do not receive it, ask them to check their spam folder. You may also resend the invitation through the online application.
    • To avoid delays, set-up your recommenders in the online application and send the letter submission invitations well in advance of the application deadline.
      • It takes two to three days business days after your recommenders submit your letters for the letters to load into UC Davis' application review database.
      • Many letter writers are very busy as fall semesters/quarters end and during the holiday season. As the application deadline approaches, follow up with any letter writers that haven't submitted your letters before your institution closes for the holidays.
  • Transcripts. UC Davis requires that you send one set of transcripts for each institution that you attended, including community colleges and study abroad.
    • Order your transcripts early! It often takes several weeks for institutions to send your transcripts to the PBGG, especially during the holiday season. You do not need to wait until you have submitted your application to send your transcripts. If your transcripts arrive in the PBGG office before your application does, your transcripts will be held until they can be matched with your application.
    • Send your transcripts directly to the PBGG office. Use this exact address to ensure that your transcripts arrive as expeditiously as possible:
      • Plant Biology Graduate Group
        College of Biological Sciences, Dean's Office
        University of California, Davis
        One Shields Avenue
        Davis, CA 95616
    • If you are applying to multiple graduate programs at UC Davis, send your transcripts only to your "first choice" program. Your transcripts will be made available to faculty in each graduate program to which you have applied, as well as for the review of the fellowship application.
  • GRE scores. Please use these codes for reporting electronic scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test. Institution Code: 4834 and Department code: 0205 (Botany).
    • Be sure to retain your copy of your GRE scores for your records.
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (International students only). Please use these codes for reporting electronic scores from the TOEFL or IELTS exam: Institution code: 4834 and Department code: 37 (Botany).
  • Personal History and Statement of Purpose. Include your full statement of purpose and personal history in the appropriate fields on the online application.
    • The PBGG cannot accept these items on paper so please include both of these essays on the online application.

You cannot be accepted for admission until all of the above components are received and your application has been marked complete. You can use the online application's "track your status" feature to determine which of these items the PBGG has received and if your application has been marked complete.

Once the PBGG receives your completed application, all supporting materials and your application fee, your application is submitted to the PBGG Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee consists of at least four PBGG faculty members and at least one PBGG student.

The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and in consultation with the entire PBGG faculty, chooses the top candidates. The PBGG invites these prospective students to visit UC Davis to meet with PBGG faculty and current students and to experience life on campus. This campus visit generally occurs in February.

After the campus visit, the Admissions Committee again consults with the entire PBGG faculty and makes recommendations to accept or decline students' requests for admission. These recommendations are forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies for final approval. The Office of Graduate Studies sends the final notification of admission decisions.

Fellowship Application

All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a fellowship application with their application for admission. Once you submit the online admissions application, you will be prompted to complete a fellowship application. Learn more about financial assistance here.

Ready to Apply?

Download our convenient admissions checklist (pdf) to help you collect and submit all the elements of your application.

Questions?

Contact the PBGG Student Affairs Officer:
Erin McMurry
Email: emcmurry@ucdavis.edu