Phd Admissions Into the MCDB Department

PhD admissions into the MCDB department

Students pursuing PhDs in MCDB laboratories are admitted into the program through 3 different routes. The majority of students apply directly to the MCDB department (MCDB general path) or to the interdepartmental PIBS program (PIBS path). Additionally, a small number of students who apply directly to MCDB can be admitted to a specific MCDB laboratory (MCDB specific path).

Admissions to the MCDB department

The majority of students apply directly to the MCDB department (MCDB general). These students are required to do at least 2 research rotations in MCDB laboratories and typically choose a thesis laboratory by the end of their second semester. This application pathway is open to both domestic and international students.

To apply to the MCDB department, follow the directions on the “How to apply” webpage (

Admissions to a specific MCDB laboratory

On occasion, students apply to MCDB because they are interested in thesis work with a specific MCDB faculty member (MCDB specific). Once admitted, these students immediately join their thesis laboratory, skipping research rotations. Students wishing to apply to a specific laboratory must have made arrangements with the thesis laboratory before applying to the PhD program and must have demonstrated research experience consistent with their designated lab.

To apply as a direct admit student into a specific laboratory, follow the guidelines for the MCDB department. ( Additionally, a letter from the future thesis advisor stating a willingness to accept the student directly into his/her lab is required and should be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator in MCDB (Mary Carr, MCDB Department, 1121A Kraus Natural Science Bldg., 830 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; ) by Jan 5th.

Note that students must choose, prior to applying to the MCDB program, whether to be considered as a candidate for the MCDB department or to a specific laboratory. Under no circumstances will applicants be allowed to switch their application type.

Admissions through the PIBS program

The Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) is an umbrella program for 13 departments and programs. PIBS students initially affiliate with one program but are free to explore research opportunities in any of the PIBS groups. Students are required to do at least 2 research rotations and typically join a laboratory and department/program by the end of their second semester.

Students apply to PIBS through the Rackham Graduate School and are asked to select 3 PhD program/department choices, in rank order. Students most interested in working with faculty affiliated with the MCDB department should select MCDB as their first choice as it is assumed that students are most interested in their top choice and admissions decisions are made accordingly. For specific guidelines, refer to the PIBS website ( Only US citizens and permanent residents may apply to MCDB through the PIBS program. International students interested in MCDB should apply directly to the MCDB program.

Frequently asked admissions questions:

General admissions questions

What is the difference between PIBS and MCDB?

The Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) is an umbrella program of the University of Michigan that coordinates the admission, acceptance, and first year training of graduate students in several departments and programs. After research rotations are completed, all PIBS students formally associate with one department or program. The department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) is a member of the PIBS program. PhD students in MCDB are admitted either through the PIBS program or directly through MCDB.

What is the difference between MCDB, CDB, and CMB?

The Departments of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) and Cellular and Developmental Biology (CDB) are independent academic departments housed in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and Medical School, respectively. The Cell and Molecular Biology Program is an NIH-sponsored training program. Faculty mentors in CMB come from a wide variety of departments, including several from MCDB.

To decide which unit is most appropriate for you, it is best to visit the specific web sites.

MCDB
CDB
CMB

There are 3 ways to apply to MCDB, which one is best for me?

Most students are unsure of their specific research interest and benefit greatly from research rotations. Because of the breadth of the MCDB faculty, most students find that the rotation choices within the MCDB department are more than sufficient and therefore, apply to the MCDB general path. Some students enjoy the wider options available to them through the PIBS program, which allows research rotations and final affiliations with faculty in different departments. Students that are applying to MCDB because of interest in a single faculty member and have extensive independent research experience may find the MCDB specific path attractive.

Major differences between the 3 application routes

PIBS / MCDB general / MCDB specific
Number of rotations / At least 2 / At least 2 / None
Choice of rotation lab / All PIBS affiliated labs / MCDB labs only / n.a.
Specific admission requirements / US citizen or permanent resident / At least 1 year of research experience in prospective area and willingness of MCDB faculty member to serve as a sponsor

Do I have to pay the application fee?

What is Rackham’s policy? Do they give waivers for students in need? If so, then I propose: “The application fee covers the costs associated with processing and evaluating your application. In nearly all cases, you must submit this fee. Applicants with documented financial hardship may petition the Rackham Graduate School to waive (or subsidize?) this fee: LINK.”

Who makes the admissions decisions?

In the Department of MCDB, there is an Admissions Committee that evaluates all applicants and makes admissions recommendations, which must be approved by the Chair of the department. For applications to the MCDB department (general and specific), files are evaluated by the MCDB Admission Committee. For PIBS applicants, files are evaluated by the Admission Committees from the 3 departments or groups listed by the student on their application.

How are applicants evaluated?

All admission decisions, including those concerning students applying for direct admission, are recommended by the Admissions Committee with final approval determined by the Department Chair. For all doctoral program applicants, grades, educational background, GREs, TOEFL (if required) letters of recommendation, and research experience are considered. For students applying to a specific MCDB laboratory, the following are also considered:

Evidence that the student is applying to the MCDB doctoral program because of their strong commitment to a specific laboratory. The applicant is expected to have significant research experience and previous interest consistent with the prospective doctoral thesis advisor. Ideally, the applicant will have a M.S. degree (with research) or other research experience beyond undergraduate studies.

The student and prospective doctoral thesis advisor must agree, prior to the submission of the application, that the specific admission path is appropriate. The prospective doctoral thesis advisor must submit a letter addressed to the Graduate Coordinator stating a desire to train the prospective student and a description of the proposed mechanism to fund the student. This letter will be included with the student's application. The student must state in their application that they wish to be considered as a specific admission student.

Priority will be given to students applying to faculty mentors with few or no MCDB graduate students.

Are students interviewed as part of the admission process?

Yes. Students that are living in the United States and deemed qualified by the Admissions Committee are invited to come to the University of Michigan to talk with prospective research mentors, Admissions Committee members, and current PhD students. International students are typically interviewed by telephone although we often send faculty members to China to interview students in person.

Can I arrange my own visit to the University of Michigan?

We strongly discourage students from making their own travel plans to visit UM prior to hearing from the Admissions Committee, particularly in January-March. Faculty members are quite busy hosting and interviewing students during this period.

What are the departmental and institutional GRE codes?

The institutional code is 1839. The department code is 0203.

Can I move directly from the Masters Program into the PhD program?

No. All Ph.D applications must go through the same application process and review.

Questions specific to International Students

You did not accept any students from my university recently. Does this mean you are not taking students from my institution?

We evaluate all international students as individuals. We do not consider previous institution biases with our current students in admissions decisions. We always consider students from a variety of institutions each year.

How do I get my student visa?

Help

Questions related to life as a first year MCDB PhD student

If accepted into the PhD program, how will I pay for it?

All students receive a stipend (currently $XXX), tuition waiver and health insurance. Funding will come from a variety of sources, depending on year of study, eligibility for pre-graduate training programs and faculty mentor.[sgw1]

Do I have to pay tuition?

No. As an MCDB PhD student, you will not pay tuition for any activity associated with the program.

Will I have health insurance?

All graduate students have free GradCare health insurance. For more information, see

Will I teach as part of my training?

Teaching and effective communication are integral aspects of PhD training. All MCDB students must teach twice during their PhD training.

Will I attend national/international research meetings?

Yes. The department provides $1,000 towards a meeting in the second year of study. Thereafter, the student can apply for (and often receives) travel funds from the department and Rackham Graduate School.

Can I start early?

Yes. In some cases there may be advantages to starting research rotations in the summer. This is possible for domestic students but often a challenge for international students because of visa issues.

How many research rotations do I do?

MCDB students must do at least 2 research rotations (unless admitted directly to a laboratory). Typically, students will do a full rotation in the fall semester, although other arrangements are possible. For the winter term, some do another full rotation and some split the term into two “half” rotations.

Which labs are available for research rotations?

MCDB students may rotate with any MCDB faculty member. Specific research rotations are set up by mutual faculty and student consent. Students in the PIBS program typically rotate within their primary department or program but are free to choose additional rotations with any PIBS faculty member.

When do I choose a thesis laboratory?

PIBS students and MCDB general students and thier potential faculty mentors can make commitments to each other no sooner than April 15 of their first year.

How long will graduate school take?

Doctoral students typically take four to six years. Our departmental average is 5.3 years.

What classes do I take?

Please see our curriculum site (add link)

[sgw1]This is not important for a student