How to Apply

ILS has a strong record of recruiting extremely well-qualified students in terms of research experience, letters of recommendation, academic credentials, and potential for success in graduate study. ILS especially welcomes applications from students with diverse academic, personal, and professional backgrounds.

Application Deadline

ILS only accepts applications for Fall semesters. The application deadline for matriculation the following Fall term is December 1st. For example, applications for Fall 2025 MUST be COMPLETED by 11:59 PM EST on December 1, 2024. The Fall 2025 application cycle is CLOSED.

Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates on application status.

Given the volume of applications received, we may not be able to respond to individual inquiries regarding application status during the review period. All applicants will be contacted in due time.

Prior to Starting the Application

ILS manages applications for multiple PhD graduate programs.Please review participating departments and faculty prior to starting the applications. Also note, our faculty are organized by research interests called Interdisciplinary Groups. Please review the Interdisciplinary Groups prior to starting the application.

International Students: Please review supplemental requirements prior to applying; verified English Language proficiency scores are required for application review. For more information, please visit: https://grad.uga.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applications/.

NOTE:

  • We strongly encourage you review our frequently asked questions prior to starting your application (https://ils.uga.edu/admissions/faq/).
  • ILS in NOT able to provide application fee waivers. Please refer to the UGA Graduate School regarding fee waivers (https://grad.uga.edu/admissions/application-fee/).
  • The GRE is NOT a required component of the application.
  • ILS does NOT require a writing sample or copies of publications

Application Process

All steps MUST be COMPLETED by 11:59 PM EST on December 1st.

Step 1: Submit an official online application to the UGA Graduate School

  • Website: https://gradapply.uga.edu/apply/.
  • Please select the following on the Program/Term Selection page.
    • Campus: Athens
    • Degree Level: Doctoral
    • Intended Program: PHD, Integrated Life Sciences [PHD_ILSC]
  • Please submit the required transcripts, letters of recommendation and fees as instructed on the application
  • For English Language Proficiency reports (i.e., TOEFL & IELTS scores) select 5813 as the institutional code.
    • Official test scores must be verified by the University of Georgia Graduate School before the application deadline. It can take 2-4 weeks to process scores once they are received by the UGA Graduate School. It is recommended you submit your official test scores with sufficient processing time. If you meet the criteria for a language proficiency waiver, please allow 2-4 weeks for review of your institutional experience and processing of the waiver. For more information: https://grad.uga.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applications/english-language-proficiency-requirement/

For your UGA Graduate School application to be considered complete, ILS requires that the following items are submitted in your application prior to the December 1 deadline:

  • Application fee payment
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Current CV/resume
  • Statement of purpose (see below for more details)
  • Verified English Language Proficiency scores (if applicable)

Step 2: Complete the ILS Secondary Application Form

  • After submitting the UGA Graduate School application, you will receive an invitation to complete the ILS Secondary Application Form. This form is critical to the evaluation of your application. Please check your spam folder.
  • Before beginning this form, please prepare the following:
  • For your application to be considered complete, the ILS Secondary Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on December 1.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose submitted to the UGA Graduate School during the application process may be used as the statement of purpose on the ILS Secondary Application Form, as long as the length (10,000-character limit) and content are within the stated guidelines. We highly recommend your statement include the following:

  • Your reason(s) for pursuing graduate study
  • Your interest (scientific areas or research topics, etc.)
  • Evidence of scholarly activity (e.g. research experiences, manuscripts published/in preparation)
  • Any special circumstances of which you wish to make us aware
  • If applicable, explanations for any perceived deficiencies in your application

Application Evaluation

Assessment of applications will focus on research experience, letters of recommendation, GPA, overall potential for graduate study, and perceived fit with affiliated graduate programs. Excellence in one or more areas can offset deficiencies in other areas; explanations for deficiencies should be described in your Statement of Purpose.

Acceptance Notification Timeline

Applications are screened in December and early January.

Top domestic applicants may be invited to a recruitment event in late January or February for interviews and interactions with current students and research faculty. International applications and those unavailable to attend in-person recruiting events will be interviewed via video conference in January and February.

Offers of admission will be extended to successful applicants following recruitment interviews.

Inclusive Excellence

The ILS program at the University of Georgia is committed to inclusive excellence in all its forms. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment, and to promote the success of scholars of all racial and socioeconomic groups, religious and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, and disability statuses. We believe all people deserve equity in education and that the best science is done with a diverse and inclusive scientific workforce.  We welcome applications from all individuals, and we are committed to supporting all of our students’ scientific and professional development. For information regarding specific UGA Programs and Organization promoting inclusion see https://oie.uga.edu.