How are BPS Graduate Applications Processed?
When you apply to the BPS program, you are actually being evaluated for admission to the Graduate College and the BPS Program only evaluates the application and makes a recommendation to the Graduate Collee. It is in the best interest of the applicant to carefully follow the instructions given by the program and clarifications given in the FAQ. After applications are received by the DGS, the applications are processed and specific information is forwarded to the Graduate College. Based upon this information (Official Transcripts and Proof of Degree, if necessary) and electronic information submitted directly from ETS.org (GRE and TOEFL, if necessary), the Graduate College determines if the application is compete.
Paper copies of GRE and TOEFL scores are requested to expidite processing of your application. The BPS Program receives monthly reports of standardized test scores. To quickly evaluate students and enable evaluation, a paper copy is used and later confirmed with the official scores. No student is admitted without confirming scores, but student may be evaluated using the paper score copies pending confirmation.
All complete applications are then returned to the BPS Program for evaluation submission. Due to this process, if you apply to more than one UIC program, each program only receives transcripts for a given student and not the support documents (SOP, letters of recommendation, etc.).
The Graduate College requires the application fee. There are no fee waivers for the Biopharmaceutical Sciences Program as many applications are received and the fee goes toward paying for the processing of appications.
Once an evaluation is requested by the Graduate College, the DGS makes an initial rating of each student based upon all required information: GPA(s), prior institution(s), degree area(s), area of interest, SOP, GRE, TOEFL (if necessary), work experience (if any), publications (if any), and letters of recommendation. With this rating complete, the DGS brings all complete applications to the Graduate Committee who independently evaluates the applications according to the needs of the program. The Graduate Committee then makes recommendations to the Graduate College for Admission and Denial of applications.
Applicants are notified by email if a positive recommendation is being made to the Graduate College, but official admission letters will be sent from the Graduate College. Students denied admission receive official notice from the OAR at UIC.