Recruitment and Interview Timelines

  • I submitted my completed application on December 1st. When can I expect to hear back?
  • Application reviews will take place during December. Invitations for recruitment events will be sent to successful applicants by the beginning of January.
  • What does the recruitment process look like?
  • Finalist applicants will undergo virtual interviews with prospective faculty members and graduate group leadership in December/January. Invitations to in-person recruitment events will be sent in January/early February.
  • When will I know if I've been invited for an interview?
  • We generally spend the first two to three weeks of December evaluating applications; the members of our admission committee work hard to read each and every application with the care it deserves, which takes time. 

    It is our intention to notify you as soon as possible if you have been asked to visit the campus and interview with our faculty. Invitations for virtual interviews are typically emailed in December/January.

    Inquiries asking when we will have news of our admission decision to you will not be answered. 

    If we are certain that we do not intend to invite you for an interview, we will strive to let you know as soon as possible. We recommend regularly checking your application portal, as this will have the most up-to-date information regarding admission decisions.
  • I was not invited to interview and am seeking feedback on my application.
  • Unfortunately, we do not have the administrative bandwidth to accommodate requests of this nature. We receive as many as 200 applications in a given year, and generally do not invite more than 20 applicants to interview. While we receive applications from extraordinarily brilliant scientists, financial constraints limit our capacity to take in large cohorts of students. 

    Emails to the Graduate Program Coordinator or Admissions Chair asking about the the program's denial of your application will not be answered. 

    If you are seeking to improve your prospects for future applications, you are strongly encouraged to utilize your networks of professional support. If you are still interested in the program, we encourage you to reapply in the future; many of our current students were offered admission into the program on the basis of their second application.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

  • When can I start filling out my application for the program?
  • The 2026-2027 UC Davis Applications will open in October 2025. You can initiate your application here.
  • Will late applications be accepted?
  • No, all applications are due by 11:59 PM (PST) on December 1st.
  • What if my GPA doesn't meet the 3.0 requirement?
  • Please still consider applying! Our Admission Committee reviews each application holistically, meaning GPA is just one aspect of the review. Be sure to explain the reason for the low GPA in your personal history statement, and focus on highlighting your strengths in the other components of the application.
  • Do I need to secure a faculty mentor before applying?
  • No, but we highly recommend that you reach out to faculty of interest before submitting your application to get a better sense of lab availability, current research projects, and funding expectations.
  • Where do I go if I have questions about the language proficiency requirements?
  • For more information about English Language Proficiency guidelines and waivers, please visit the Graduate Studies Website.
  • The WHED website lists my institution as being taught in multiple languages (or doesn't list languages), but I have supplemental documentation (not a language proficiency test) supporting my English language proficiency. Am I eligible for a waiver?
  • The English language waiver requirement is that the institution must teach in English only. As mentioned in Graduate Studies guidelines, if English is not the sole language of instruction listed (or if no language is listed at all), or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, the waiver will not be approved. No other documentation (e.g. letters, language certificates, school websites) will be reviewed or accepted. https://grad.ucdavis.edu/english-language-examinations. If your institution does not meet these requirements, you will need to submit an English language exam if you would like your application to be considered for admission to our program.
  • What should I focus on when completing my application?
  • When reviewing applications, our Admission Committee focuses on the following areas: Academic Preparedness, Relevant Experience, Letters of Support and Statements of Purpose, and Alignment with Program. Each application is reviewed holistically with these core values in mind. We encourage you to approach your application as if you are a curating a story about who you are as a scientist and why you feel this program is the best fit for you!
  • Can I update my application after the deadline?
  • No. Once the application deadline has passed and you application is submitted, you are not able to make revisions to the information that you provided. 
     

Degrees Offered

  • I have my Bachelor's Degree but haven't completed a Master's Degree, Can I still apply for the PhD?
  • Yes, Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree holders are both eligible to apply for our PhD program.
  • Can I apply to the MS in Integrative Genetics and Genomics?
  • Yes! The graduate program accepts applications for both our MS and PhD programs.
  • What if I start a PhD and want to complete an MS?
  • Students who are no longer able to complete the PhD should first consult with their Major Professor and Graduate Academic Advisor about options.

Financial Support

  • What financial support can I expect as a graduate student?
  • Financial support can come in many different forms for IGG affiliated graduate students. PhD students undergoing rotations will receive a financial offer from the Graduate Group upon their admission recommendation. Direct admit students should work with their Major Professor to determine funding expectations. Master's students should expect to self-fund their program. All students are able to  apply for Teaching Assistant positions and Graduate Student Researcher positions. Historically, IGG PhD students have been able to fully support themselves through a combination of fellowships (both internal to UC Davis and external), teaching positions, and research positions. Admitted students should consult with their Faculty Mentor to discuss funding expectations and options.
  • How do I apply for first-year fellowships?
  • Your application to the University also serves as your fellowship application. You will be asked questions pertinent to the fellowship application process; no additional materials are required.
  • When can I expect to hear if I've been awarded a fellowship?
  • You may receive an offer for an internal fellowship from UC Davis Graduate Studies anytime from late February through mid-April.

Communicating with IGG

  • Do I need to contact a faculty member prior to applying?
  • Contacting faculty member prior to applying to the program is not required, but highly recommended. . IGG PhD students undergoing rotations in various faculty laboratories will begin reaching out for lab rotations after admission to the program. After rotations have concluded, students will select a mentor and home lab to join for the duration of their PhD.
  • I have general questions about the application and/or program. Who do I speak to?
  • We encourage you to reach out to students in the program, particularly those who are in the labs you're most interested in, to get their perspective on the student life. You are also encouraged to ask UC Davis Graduate Studies' admissions team any questions you may have about the admissions process. 

    Requests to meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator cannot be accommodated.