Exercise Science PhD
Frequently Asked Questions
Apart from the questions and answers listed below, prospective students are encouraged to peruse the Frequently Asked Application and Admissions Questions for Graduate study at UB (www.grad.buffalo.edu/admissions/faq.php).
Q. What is the first thing I should do before I apply?
A. A supervisory faculty member within the applicant’s
area of study should be contacted in order to identify a mentor.
Students who apply without identifying a mentor will be rejected.
Students should look at the Exercise and Nutrition faculty profiles
at :
http://sphhp.buffalo.edu/ens/research.php
Q. Is a Masters degree required for entry into the Ph.D. program?
A. NO.
Q. Do I need to take the GRE’s and is there a minimum score?
A. YES. Cumulative GRE scores (Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytic Writing) taken within the last 5 years, must be no lower than 400 in the Verbal and 400 in the quantitative sections. GRE’s after October 1st, 2002 have a new section on Analytical Writing, a minimum score greater than 3 is required.
Q. Do I need to take the TOEFL test?
A. International students that are not exempt from the TOEFL (see graduate school guidelines) must have a minimum score of 550 paper or 213 cpt (within the last two years).
Q. Can I apply even if my TOEFL score is low?
A. YES. International students with TOEFL scores
below the minimum may be admitted on a conditional basis into the
program. For more details, international students should visit :
http://www.grad.buffalo.edu/admissions/requirements.php
Q. When is the application deadline and how long before I can expect a reply?
A. You can apply year-round (and be accepted in the fall - the preferred starting semester, or spring). We use rolling admissions, which means we evaluate your application after it is complete and inform you of our decision within the month. If you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship you need to be accepted by early April.
Just a reminder for our international students that sufficient time is required to secure students' visas, so early application is strongly recommended.
Q. Is there financial assistance?
A. Aside from University-based assistance, we have Teaching Assistantship positions that are awarded on a competitive basis. There are Presidential Fellowships available on a very competitive basis – for consideration, applications must be completed by the first of the year. School of Public Health and Health Professions scholarships are also available.