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General Information

MCB Application Information

  • Only students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree full-time are accepted into the program. Admission into the MCB program is based on appraisal of each applicant's undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, involvement in research or other activities which indicate a strong commitment to graduate study, and the essay.
     
  • For M.D./Ph.D. candidates, the Graduate Committee will accept MCAT scores.
     
  • It is typical that entering graduate students will have had at least one year each of physics, and mathematics (calculus) and two years of biology and chemistry (general and organic). Students with degrees in physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics are encouraged to apply.
     
  • Applicants should note any prior research experience relevant to the scientific programs being pursued in MCB laboratories.
     
  • It is the long-standing policy of Dartmouth College to actively support equality of opportunity for all persons regardless of race or ethnic background, and no student will be denied admission or be otherwise discriminated against because of race, color, gender, religion, age, national or ethnic origin.
     
  • All MCB coursework and related activities are conducted in English. It is very important that applicants be able to write, read and speak English fluently and without difficulty.
     
  • The MCB program receives upwards of 250 applications each year and enrolls between 25 and 30 students each September.
     
  • We do not release information about our current students such as scores, GPAs, or research interests (average or actual).
     
  • The MCB academic year is arranged by terms - Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer - and requires attendance on campus for all four terms.

Recommended Test Scores and GPAs

To be in competitive range, we recommend the following:

  • TOEFL (for International applicants): Paper exam 550>, Internet exam 100> or IELTS: 7.0 or above (in place of TOEFL)
  • GPA: 3.0 or above.
  • Program code: TOEFL: MCB code is 74

Minority Applicants

The MCB Program is enriched and strengthened by students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Prospective MCB students attending SACNAS, ABRCMS, and other minority-focused and scientific conferences are encouraged to stop by the Dartmouth booths to meet and find out more about us.

MCB plans to recruit and support a culture of diversity and inclusivity can be found here.  Applicants are welcome to directly contact Yina Huang, Chair of the MCB Program (Yina.H.Huang@Dartmouth.edu) or visit the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies (https://graduate.dartmouth.edu/diversity/overview) website's Diversity section for more information or with questions regarding opportunities at Dartmouth. Dartmouth is a long-standing member of the Leadership Alliance and we are proud to continue providing educational opportunities that welcome and are enhanced by diversity.

Interview Weekends

After review of completed application materials by the Admissions Committee, selected applicants who live in the U.S. will be invited for an on-site interview. Selected international students not living in the U.S. will be contacted to arrange for an online video interview.

There are two dates for on-site interviews in January and February. These interview weekends provide interviewees the opportunity to interact socially and scientifically with faculty, current MCB students and other interviewees.

Financial Information

All MCB students receive a stipend of $31,080.00 ($31.580.00 for students who have passed their qualifying exams), a Dartmouth Fellowship that provides a full tuition scholarship, and a prepaid health insurance plan. Stipends for future years will be adjusted for inflation and are contingent upon satisfactory performance in studies.

We do not require certification of your financial situation. If admitted to the program you will need sufficient funds to come to the U.S. and then support yourself for one month until the first stipend check which is on October 1.

Visa Information

Students are strongly encouraged to contact either the MCB Program or the Office for Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) at Dartmouth for advice.

International students can find assistance in obtaining proper documentation through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

A very helpful site, with information on applying to graduate schools as well as traveling to the U.S., is EducationUSA. There, you will also find locations of the EducationUSA advising centers near you.

Up-to-date information can also be found at the following locations:

U.S. Visa information

U.S. State Department Travel information