Frequency Asked Questions
Q. What is the institutional code for GMU?
A. The institutional code for GMU is 5827. There are no departmental
codes for GMU.
Q. What is the deadline for submitting an application?
A. The fall application deadlines are April 15 for domestic applicants, February 1 for
international applicants, and those seeking
support. The spring application deadlines are November 1 for domestic applicants,
and October 1 for international applicants. There is no funding available
for those applying for the spring semester. Ph.D. applications are not accepted in
the spring semester.
Q. What are the admission requirements for the Ph.D. program?
A. The admission requirements for the Ph.D. program are as follows:
- B.A. or B.S. in biology, computer science, or related science
- Undergraduate courses in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry,
genetics, calculus, data structures, and probability and statistics
- Experience using a high-level programming language
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25
- Submit GRE-GEN scores
- A complete application for admission with application fee submitted by
the appropriate deadline.
Q. What are the admission requirements for the M.S. program?
A. The admission requirements for the M.S. program are as follows:
- B.A. or B.S. in biology, computer science, or related science
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Submit GRE-GEN scores
- Undergraduate courses in molecular biology, computer programming, statistics,
and calculus
- A complete application for admission with application fee submitted by
the appropriate deadline.
Q. What is the minimum score required for the TOEFL?
A. A TOEFL Score of 88 with a minimum of 20 in each section (Internet-based test), 230 (Computer-based
test), 575 (Paper based test), or 6.5 IELS is required for all students who have not attained a degree in
the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia. A score of 100 (with a minimum score of 23 on all subsections)
on the Internet-based test, 600 on the paper-based or 250 on the computer-based test is required for teaching
or research assistants.
Q. What are the application requirements?
A. The application requirements for International Applicants are as follows:
- A completed GMU graduate application (http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/)
- $60 application fee
- Two official transcripts from each college or graduate institution attended
- Current resume
- Expanded goals statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official report of scores for GRE-GEN and TOEFL
(The GRE can be waived if the applicant holds a master's degree from a U.S.
institution. The TOEFL can be waived if the applicant holds a degree
from a U.S. institution)
- Completed International Students Form along with original bank statements
and sponsorship letters.
- If currently attending a US institution, please also include a copy of your visa,
I-94 card and I-20.
The application requirements for Domestic Applicants are as follows:
- A completed GMU graduate application (http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/)
- $60 application fee
- Two official transcripts from each college or graduate institution attended
- Current resume
- Expanded goals statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official report of scores for GRE-GEN
(The GRE can be waived if the applicant holds a master's degree from a U.S.
institution.)
Q. What is required for international students to receive their Visa?
A. To apply for a visa, students should be prepared to show the following
documents at the U.S. embassy or consulate overseas:
I-20 or DS2019, passport, letter of admission to George Mason, proof of financial
support, and strong evidence of intent to return to their home country after
completion of studies. (Visit http://travel.state.gov
for more information)
Q. What are the tuition rates?
A. For current graduate tuition rates, please visit http://fiscal.gmu.edu/Resources/tuition_rates.htm
Q. How much funding is available?
A. Financial Support is highly competitive. A limited number
of competitive COS graduate research assistantships carrying a tuition waiver
and a stipend are available each year for Ph.D. students. Other types
of student funding are available in the form of graduate teaching assistantships
and faculty-sponsored research grants. Applications for the Ph.D. program
must be complete by February 1st to be considered for financial aid.
At this time we do not anticipate providing financial support for students
in the M.S. program.
Q. Which campus and at what times are the Bioinformatics
courses offered?
A. The majority of the Bioinformatics courses are held at the
PW Campus. Some electives for both programs can be taken at the Fairfax
Campus. There are no Bioinformatics courses offered at the Arlington
Campus. Generally courses are offered in the late afternoon and the
early evening to accommodate the schedules of those students that work.
Occasionally, a course is offered during the day, but these courses are usually
offered in the late afternoon and evening as well.
Q. Where can I find the GMU Graduate Application packet?
A. You can go directly to the GMU Admissions site to find
the Graduate Application packet located at http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/.
Please note that the GMU graduate application process is now available for
online submission.
Q. How long does it typically take to finish the M.S. or
Ph.D. program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology?
A. A full time student in the M.S. program should finish
in two years. Obviously, if you are a part time student, your time
for completion of the program will vary according to the number of credit
hours you take on any given semester. A Ph.D. student coming in the
program with a previous M.S. degree should plan on three to four years, and
a student with no previous M.S. degree should plan on five to six years to
complete the program.
Q. How many credit hours can I transfer into the program
from a previous institution?
A. For information regarding the restrictions on transfer credits please visit
http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/apolicies/graduate.html
Q. Where should I send my application?
A. Please send completed applications to:
Graduate Admission Processing Center
College of Science
George Mason University
Mail Stop 6A3
Science and Technology I, Room 103
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Note. Please include Mail Stop on the address when you submit the application.