The online application deadline for the Graduate Group in Immunology is December 1. As the application review period begins immediately, it is important that all application materials be received by December 1st, including letters of recommendation. The UC Davis-wide graduate fellowship application deadline for incoming and continuing students is also December 1. Although not required, incoming students are strongly encouraged to apply for fellowships.
The Graduate Group in Immunology strongly emphasizes the Ph.D. program. In general, we do not admit MS degree students unless special circumstances are involved such as: dual degree MS/PhD applicants, applicants with 2-year government sponsored fellowships, or MS applicants who have a commitment of financial support from a faculty mentor. Students considering application to the Master's degree program should first contact the Program Coordinator (eckent@ucdavis.edu). Under most circumstances, international student applications are deemed competitive only if the student has secured a fellowship to support their studies from their home government. We are committed to creating a diverse student body and welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Applications undergo several rounds of review. First, during the initial review process, a group of faculty members and current GGI students serving on the Admissions Committee evaluate the application packages, including undergraduate GPA and, if applicable, English test scores (TOEFL iBT, or IELTS, or Duolingo English Test). We value, in particular, strong letters of recommendations as well as personal statements that reveal motivation and purpose. It is not necessary to identify a faculty mentor for application to the Ph.D. degree program, as admitted Ph.D. students rotate through laboratories prior to selection of a faculty mentor. Students seeking a M.S. degree must identify a faculty mentor willing to act as a faculty sponsor prior to applying. Please note, no financial support is provided for M.S. degree students.
Following the initial review process, the strongest applicants will be invited to interview via Zoom. Zoom interviews will take place in mid-January.
Those candidates who successfully pass the Zoom interview will be invited to either an in-person or virtual Research and Recruitment Event on February 28-March 1, 2025. During this event, applicants will receive an overview of the Immunology Graduate Group, learn about research activities and resources on the UC Davis campus, and have opportunities to meet and interact with the graduate group faculty and our current students in both formal and informal settings.
From those applicants selected to attend our Research and Recruitment Event, we will invite some to join our program. Invitations are usually emailed within a few weeks following the event. Invitations are contingent upon a final review and approval by Graduate Studies to ensure that formal graduate degree requirements are met upon admission. Students are given until April 15 to accept the invitation to join. A waitlist might be established. Students on the waitlist will be informed after April 15 as to whether additional positions are available.