Applicant FAQ

Application deadline and requirements

  • Will late applications be accepted?
  • No, all applications are due by 11:59 Pacific time on December 1st. 
  • Will late application materials (letter of recommendation, transcripts, etc.) be accepted?
  • Applicants have until December 5th to upload all final application materials, including letters of recommendation. After this date, no new materials will be reviewed. 
  • My undergraduate GPA is low. Should I apply?
  • Yes! We take a holistic application review which means GPA is just one aspect of how we view applications. Please explain any circumstances that led to your "low" GPA in your personal history statement. If you have research experience, highlight that in your statement of purpose and CV. This will help your application shine!
  • Do I need to contact faculty prior to applying?
  • No! MCIP students will rotate in various faculty laboratories at the start of their academic program. Students will select a mentor after rotations have concluded. This means you do not need to contact any faculty prior to applying. 

Master's or PhD?

  • I only have a Bachelor's degree. Can I apply for the PhD?
  • Yes! We do not require PhD applicants to have a Master's degree. If you have limited research experience or are unsure if you are ready for a 5+ year degree, the Master's degree may be the better track for you right now. 
  • I want to apply for the Master's degree now but may want a PhD later. Can I transfer? 
  • Yes! MCIP allows our Master's students to apply for the MCIP PhD program after the end of their first year. Students are approved for this transfer if they have performed well in their Master's coursework and have a supportive major professor. 

Financial Support

  • Does MCIP provide financial support for students?
  • MCIP provides fellowships for all incoming PhD students. MCIP does not offer fellowships for incoming MS students. All students are able to apply for Teaching Assistant positions and Graduate Student Researcher positions. Historically, MCIP PhD students have been able to fully support themselves for the duration of their degree through a combination of fellowships, teaching positions, and research positions. The average MCIP PhD student stipend for 2023-24 was ~$38,000. 
  • I am interested in an MS degree. What funding is available? 
  • M.S. students should plan to self-fund part or all of their degree. Funding opportunities are available, although they are limited and very competitive. Some financial aid, including loans, may be available. While MS students are considered for campus-wide fellowships at the time of application, it is very rare for MS students to receive fellowships. 
    Once enrolled, all MS students may apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) positions. TA positions at 25% or higher cover full in-state fees (students must pay out-of-state fees). TA positions are highly competitive, and students must apply for them early. Learn more here. 
    MS Plan I (thesis) students may apply for Graduate Student Researcher (GRS) positions through their thesis advisor. Like all MS funding, these positions are limited and competitive. GSR positions at 25% or higher cover all fees (in-state and out-of-state). 
  • What fellowships are available?
  • The MCIP program application also serve as a fellowship applications for first year funding. After joining the program, students are able to apply for a variety of annual fellowships including T32s, campus stipend awards, travel fellowships, and research supply fellowships.