Requirements

detail of growth in multi-well agar plate

Eligibility

To be eligible for PREP@UGA, applicants should satisfy the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or national or permanent resident of the US
  • Have a baccalaureate degree in a biomedically relevant science field from an accredited college or university awarded no more than 36 months prior to applying to PREP;
  • Must not be currently enrolled in a graduate program;
  • Baccalaureate degree must be in a relevant life sciences discipline; and
  • Intend to apply to a leading life science / biomedical science PhD program during the PREP training period.

In alignment with UGA’s strategic plan, PREP@UGA is particularly interested in applicants from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in biomedical science careers, including racial/ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to the most recent data, the following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Hawaiian Natives, and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands.

Required application materials

  • Completed online application
  • Unofficial undergraduate transcripts. The overall GPA mean for the current group of PREP@UGA scholars is above 3.0, however, all applications will be given serious consideration. If overall or science GPA falls below 3.0, then an explanation should be provided by the applicant in the application essay. If the applicant is selected to join the program, official transcripts will be required.
  • A brief statement (500 words or less) of research interests and career goals, including:
    • why the applicant is interested in pursuing a PhD,
    • what career the applicant envisions that requires earning a PhD,
    • how the applicant’s undergraduate experiences, including any previous research experiences if applicable, have shaped their interests and goals, and
    • what the applicant hopes to get out of participating in PREP@UGA.
  • Two letters of reference. These should be from academics or professionals who know the applicant well and are familiar with their career aspirations. These could be: the applicant’s undergraduate academic advisor, a research mentor or instructor in a laboratory course, or any other instructor who knows the applicant well. Letters from personal acquaintances and family members are not acceptable.
  • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV).