How do I check on the status of my application?

Applicants may check on the status of their application by logging into their online account and viewing the “Application Details” panel.

How do I submit the required supplemental material?

The online application process allows applicants to attach all supplemental application documents (i.e. personal statements, resume/CV, test reports, unofficial transcripts, etc.) to their application prior to submission.

Which test scores are required and which institutional code do I use to order test reports?

The GRE (WFU Code: 5920) is required of all applicants with the exception of those that already hold an advanced degree (master’s or higher). The Biomedical Science for Pre-Health Profession program accepts MCAT scores in lieu of GRE scores (details below). GRE scores are entered via the online application. Unofficial test reports should be uploaded into the online application for the review process. If the official test report is no longer available, screenshots of scores from the ETS system may be uploaded. Tests taken after an application has been submitted should be sent to the Graduate School as an email attachment. Official scores will be required prior to orientation if an offer of admission has been made and accepted by the student. All official GRE scores should be received directly from the Educational Testing Service.

Though the WFU Graduate School does not have a minimum test score for the GRE, in order to be competitive a combined score on the Verbal and Quantitative sections should be approximately 1100 for tests taken prior to August 2011, and 300-302 (50th percentile) for tests taken after August 1, 2011.

GRE

The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000. Usually the examination is taken in the fall of the applicant’s undergraduate senior year. Information is available on the web at www.gre.org.

TOEFL/IELTS

International students who did not graduate from colleges or universities within the U.S. and whose native language is not English must submit either the TOEFL (WFU Code: 5920) or the IELTS. The minimum total score on the TOEFL is 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79-80 (internet-based). The minimum score on the IELTS is 6.5.

Copies of unofficial TOEFL or IELTS test reports may be attached to the online application and used for the review process. If the report is not available, please submit self-reported test scores (by category) on the online application. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores will be required prior to orientation if an offer of admission has been made and accepted by the student. All official test scores should be received directly from the Educational Testing Services (TOEFL) or IELTS.

The on-line application will only allow applicants to enter internet based test scores. Please use the ETS TOEFL Conversion chart to find internet score equivalents if you took the paper based or computer based test.

The TOEFL bulletin of information and registration form can be obtained at American embassies and consulates, offices of the United States Information Service, United States educational commissions and foundations abroad, and at bi-national centers. Students unable to obtain a bulletin from one of the above should write to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, P.O. Box 6155, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155, USA or contact the website, www.toefl.org. Administrations of TOEFL are coordinated with the GRE and are available in most countries. Correspondence should be initiated at least three months before the testing date.

IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. The IELTS is available at 270 test centers worldwide. To obtain information regarding this test and the centers, please visit www.ielts.org.

MCAT

The MCAT (WFU Code: 3168) may replace the GRE test for applicants to the master’s program in Biomedical Science for Pre-Health Professions. Applications will be reviewed holistically, but competitive applications have an MCAT of 23 or higher for tests taken prior to April 2015; and minimum total scores of 40% or higher for tests taken since April 2015. Applicants with an MCAT older than 3 years will be expected to repeat the MCAT if applying to medical school.

The MCAT is administered by the Educational Testing Service (www.aamc.org).

USMLE/ECFMG

The USMLE or ECFMG may be used to replace the GRE requirement for an international applicant as long as all three of the following conditions are met:

• Applicant to the Clinical and Population Translational Science (CPTS) master’s program
• Applicant holds a medical degree from a foreign university
• Applicant is a current full-time employee of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (faculty, medical intern, research fellow)

May I apply for more than one program of study?

Yes, however a complete application is required for each program including the payment of the application fee.

How do I apply for a dual degree program?

Yes, learn more about Joint Degree opportunities at Wake Forest

Do you have an interview weekend?

Yes, an interview weekend is hosted for all Biomedical PhD Programs. Please see the application timeline for this year’s dates. Invitations will be emailed to selected applicants beginning in mid-December.

Although not required of all students, personal interviews are encouraged and may be required for some academic programs.

May I visit the university and meet with faculty in my program of interest?

All applicants are welcome to visit for an individual campus tour (offered Monday through Friday at 10:00am and 2:00pm by appointment only) or during one of our Open House events. Complete the Graduate School Request Form to schedule an individual visit or RSVP for an upcoming Open House events. Faculty meetings are usually arranged for program applicants by request.

How do I apply for financial assistance?

PhD applicants are automatically considered for a full tuition scholarship and stipend for living expenses (if application is received by the full funding deadline). Master’s applicants are automatically considered for partial scholarship support.

Does Wake Forest offer Tuition Concession for employees?

If you or your spouse are employed by WFU, please contact your Human Resources department for more information. Please notify the Graduate School at the time of application if you qualify for the tuition concession benefit.

Application fee waivers are awarded based on financial need and program participation. The application fee waiver selection is located in the payment section of the online application.

If an applicant is able to demonstrate significant financial need (recipient of Federal Pell Grant or NC Education Lottery Scholarship), an application fee waiver may be granted. Contact the financial aid officer or the university registrar of your previous school to request a letter verifying your financial need or a copy of your financial award letter. The letter may be sent via email or hard copy from the authorizing official to the Graduate School office.

If an applicant has participated in one of the programs below within the last two years, an application fee waiver may be granted:

• AmeriCorps
• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minorities Students (ABRCMS)
• Bridges to the Doctorate Program (R25)
• Careers Opportunity Research/NIMH (COR/NIHM)
• Currently enrolled graduate students in the WFU Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (current degree requirements must be completed prior to re-entry into the Graduate School)
• Currently enrolled undergraduate students at WFU in the Neuroscience Minor  
• Gates Millennium Scholar
• Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)
• Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)
• Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
• Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows Program
• Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
• Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE)
• National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP)
• National College Advising Corps (NCAC)
• Organization of American States (OAS)
• Peace Corps
• Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• Teach for America
• WFU Graduate School Summer Research Participants
• U.S. Military Veterans or Currently Serving in the U.S. Military - Contact your director/coordinator to request a letter verifying your participation in the program and the dates of your participation. The letter may be sent via email or hard copy from the authorizing official to the Graduate School office.

Transfer applicants for master’s programs who have completed a portion of their graduate training at another institution are eligible for admission but may not transfer more than six semester hours of coursework. The minimum grade allowed for transferring courses is “B.” Transfer applicants for PhD programs require an official release letter from the applicant’s current institution. In addition, one of the three required recommendations must be from the students’ advisor or mentor who has knowledge of the applicant’s academic performance and supports the applicant’s request for transfer. The applicant should also outline the reason for the transfer in the personal statement. In addition, it is recommended that the applicant contact the director of their intended program of study to discuss the circumstances of the transfer.

Are international students eligible to apply?
All qualified international applicants are welcome to apply to any program of study offered by the Graduate School, Biomedical Science Graduate Programs. Each application, whether from a domestic or international applicant, is evaluated and considered on its own merits and academic qualifications. Consideration is also given to previous research experience, publications, and work performance.

Is there a separate application for international students?
No – all domestic and international students should complete the same online application. You will be required to answer specific questions related to your country of citizenship and VISA status.

Does my foreign degree qualify me for graduate study at your university?
In most cases yes. However, international applicants must submit transcripts which have been translated into English by their university, or a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES) http://www.wes.org/. 
If a conferred degree is not on the transcript, then we will also require official copies of your degree certificate and/or diploma. NOTE: Transcripts, degree certificates and/or diplomas that have been translated by the student will not be accepted.

Do I need to submit official transcripts and test reports with my application?
No – we allow for the submission of unofficial transcripts and test reports with your online application. If an offer of admission is made, official documents will be requested at that time.

What additional tests are required for international students?
International students who did not graduate from colleges or universities within the U.S. and whose native language is not English must submit EITHER the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

What is the minimum score range for acceptance on the TOEFL and IELTS tests? 
The minimum total score on the TOEFL is 79-80. The minimum score on the IELTS is 6.5.

I received my undergraduate degree at an accredited school outside the United States but whose primary language of instruction was English. Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination?
Applicants whose native language is not English, but English was the primary medium of instruction at the public, undergraduate, or graduate school level, should include an official statement from their degree granting institution confirming that English was the medium of instruction. Once this statement has been received, the Graduate School will confirm by email that the English requirement has been met.

Do I need to submit a financial verification form or other proof of ability to pay?
Not with your application for admission. If you are accepted, the Admissions Office and DSO will reach out to you with required documentation for admission.

My transcripts are not in English. Will you accept them?
Yes, but the transcripts must be submitted with translations from your school or a professional translating service before the evaluation process may begin. The translations must be literal, complete versions of the original documents.

My school's grading system does not use a 1-4 scale. How do I enter my grade point average in the online application?
If your school has not converted your GPA for you, please use the GPA calculator located within the application to convert your GPA to the standing U.S. 4.0 point scale.

Am I required to have health insurance?
Yes – all students in the biomedical sciences are required to have health insurance coverage. If you are covered by an individual policy, or covered on a parents or spouse’s policy, you will be required to present your insurance card during orientation as proof of coverage. If you need health insurance coverage, you will be provided with help and guidance on enrollment in the student health insurance plan during orientation. Health insurance coverage is mandatory and confirmation is required prior to enrollment.

Can I work while studying at your school?
Students on the F-1 visa may work on-campus without any special work authorization for up to 20 hours/week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours/week during vacations and breaks. Applications for on-campus employment are made through individual offices and departments.
PhD students must obtain permission from their research advisor to work outside of their research labs since they are stipend recipients. 
If a master’s student seeks employment office campus, they may apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) which is a benefit of the F1 visa status that is meant to serve as a continuation of the student’s program of study in a work environment. Additional information on applying for CPT will be provided after enrollment.

What resources are available for International Students to obtain more information for study in the U.S.A.?
Wake Forest University provides information for international students and scholars on their Global Studies website. 
Students are also encouraged to search for additional website resources such as Study in the US.  
Important information for students who wish to study in the U.S. may also be found on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Who is my primary contact for questions regarding the admissions and enrollment processes?
The Designated School Office (DSO) on the Biomedical Science campus is:

Elizabeth (Beth) Whitsett
Admissions Coordinator
Wake Forest University Graduate School
Biomedical Science Graduate Programs
336-716-4224 | bwhitset@wakehealth.edu

Who do I contact if I have questions about housing and student life?
Current international students in our biomedical graduate programs can be reached via WeChat by searching username: @WFUBioGrad