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G Chemistry

How to Apply

APPLY ONLINE NOW for Spring or Fall 2013

Students may begin the Master's program in either the fall (late August) or spring (late January). The priority application dates are:

  • February 1 for fall admission
  • October 15 for spring admission

Bachelor's Degree Background

The graduate program in Chemistry is intended for students with an undergraduate degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry which is equivalent to the USF Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Chemistry with a Concentration in Biochemistry (ACS-certified is desirable). This generally includes a third year course in physical chemistry, an advanced third or fourth year laboratory course such as instrumental analysis and undergraduate research experience. Normally, an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy or Chemical Engineering does not qualify for our MS program. If a graduate student is lacking proper preparation for graduate work based on our assessment of performance on entrance exams in two subject areas, then some advanced undergraduate coursework will be required.

Application Process

Applications that are complete and on file at USF at that time will be given priority consideration for admission and financial assistance offered by the Department of Chemistry. Applications are accepted and reviewed after these dates on a case-by-case basis.

For Spring 2013 admission, application documents must be received by the stated application deadline in the Office of Graduate Programs, College of Arts and Sciences, 2130 Fulton Street, HR 240, San Francisco, CA 94117. Applicants are encouraged to submit all application documents several weeks before the deadline. Please do not send any application items to the Chemistry Program Office.

For Fall 2013 admission, start your application online. You can scan and upload your application items to your USF online application account. Please ensure that your scanned documents are easy to read and printable. If you are submitting test scores, you must request that official scores are sent to USF. You are encouraged to submit your completed application several weeks before the deadline.

Required Application Items

  • Online Application- Online application and application fee of $55.
  • Transcripts- A transcript from each college or university-level institution attended.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose- A two-page, double-spaced statement that describes any of your research experience in chemistry or biochemistry, identifies research groups at USF that are of interest to you, and explains your goals in pursuing a graduate program in Chemistry.
  • GRE Test Score- Official GRE General score is required for all applicants. The GRE Chemistry Subject Test score is not required but highly recommended. The USF Arts and Sciences school code for ETS is 6966 or 4850.
  • International students need to submit their official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score and a completed Certification of Finance form with supplemental bank statements. (See International Students for more information.) Applications without a Certification of Finance will not be considered for admission.
Send all application items to:

University of San Francisco
Office of Graduate Programs, Arts and Sciences
2130 Fulton Street, HR 240
San Francisco, CA 94117

Tests and GPA Requirements

A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT) or 575 (print-based) is required for consideration. The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. After review of an application, coursework in USF's Intensive English Program may be recommended or required. The USF school code for the GRE and the TOEFL is 6966. Chemistry applicants should hold a GPA (grade point average) of 2.7 or higher (on a scale of 4.0 as the highest score) in upper-division undergraduate coursework and a 3.0 GPA in upper-division coursework in the field of chemistry.

Application Status

Once an application form is processed by USF, you will be mailed a web account so that you can check your application status online. If you have questions about your online application status account, please contact USF's ITS department at 415.422.6668. Or you can contact Office of Graduate Programs at 415.422.5101. Please allow three weeks for the processing of your application once all of your supporting documents have been received by USF.

Notification of Admission Decision

Notification of admission decision and financial assistance awarded by the Chemistry graduate program - including scholarships and teaching assistantships - will be sent in a letter from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Financial Aid Application

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you can begin the free application process for a US federal student loan at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The USF federal school code for the FAFSA is 001325. For any financial assistance offered by the Department of Chemistry, all applicants (U.S. and international) are considered and notified of such an award in the admission letter. There is no separate application for this assistance.

Advising, Registration, Orientation and Start of Classes

Admitted students can contact the Department of Chemistry for details about the advising and registration schedule, as well as start of classes. The program starts in late August for fall students and in late January for spring students. Deidre Shymanski, the Program Assistant, can be contacted at 415.422.6157 or at dhshymanski@usfca.edu. All students, U.S. and international, should plan to arrive at least 10 days before the start of classes. International students should note that the earliest arrival date in the U.S. that an F-1 visa allows, is 30 days before the start date on the I-20 form issued to you.

All international graduate students at USF are required to attend the International Student Orientation, as well as the Chemistry program orientation. For details about the International Student Orientation, contact International Student Services at isss@usfca.edu or 415.422.2654, or visit www.usfca.edu/isss and click on "New Students".