Do I have to pay the application fee?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry pays the application fee for all applications to their graduate programs. No fee is required from the applicant . If you receive a message that indicates a fee is required, click the “pay by check” option and send an email to us at chmgrad@asu.edu. We will contact the Graduate College and take care of the fee.

What is the minimum acceptable GRE score?
The department does not set specific cut off scores but looks at the academic record as a whole.

Minimum TOEFL scores are given for the paper-based and computer-based scores, but what is the minimum score for the iBT score?
Since the iBT score is fairly new, our admissions committee has not established a minimum score at this time; however, we are currently looking at a total score of 96.  with at least 18 on the speaking section. This is an approximate minimum score.

What score on the speaking section of the iBT test do I need to obtain to receive a Teaching Assistantship?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry does not currently use the iBT score to determine eligibility for a Graduate Teaching position. If admitted to the program, the student must complete a spoken English test – the SPEAK test to determine eligibility for a TA assignment. Special English training is provided for students who do not qualify for a Teaching Assistantship and special assignments are assigned for their assistantship. All students are required to obtain Certification to Teach within a certain time period which is determined on a case by case basis.

If I send my application information in an email, can I receive a pre-evaluation to see if I am eligible to apply?
We receive many inquiries and applications; therefore, we are not able to preview your scores to determine your eligibility to apply or make suggestions on your credentials. Since the Department pays the application fee, we encourage all to apply.

Should I contact individual professors who I am interested in to see if they will consider me for their research group?
All students, whatever professor they eventually work for, must first apply to and be accepted into the program. Individual professors do not make decisions regarding admissions and should not be contacted with admission enquiries, or requests to join their group. Professors will often discuss research projects by email with enthusiastic applicants.

Where can I find the form for recommendation letters?
There is no form for recommendation letters. These are submitted electronically. As indicated on our website, you begin this process by completing the Department Supplemental Application. Here you will submit contact information for your recommenders. An email is sent to each recommender requesting a letter in support of your application.

My recommender will only complete a paper recommendation, where can he/she send it?
We very much prefer to receive letters of recommendation electronically as we have established procedures for this on our website. If your recommenders will only submit paper copies, you can ask them to send the letters to the Graduate College at:

I can’t find where I submit the information on my recommenders – where can I find this?
The Supplemental Application has two submission parts. After you complete the test score and personal statement part, click the continuation button at the bottom. This will take you to a summary page that has another button that continues to the next step. This is where you enter your recommenders.

Do I need to send transcripts to both the Graduate College and the Department?
Official transcripts are to be sent to the Graduate College. The department would like to receive an electronic copy (official or unofficial) of your transcripts in an email to: chmgrad@asu.edu. Since it takes time for the Graduate College to post all the information they receive, sending an electronic copy of the scores to us allows our admission committee to begin the review of your file earlier.

Is there a special form to complete for a Graduate Assistantship?
There is no additional paper work to complete for financial support from the Department as a Graduate Assistant. Students admitted to our Graduate Programs are automatically considered for this position.

How can check the status of my application?
Admission status can be checked on the ASU Interactive ( http://www.asu.edu/interactive/?init=false) Questions concerning documents submitted to the Graduate College can be submitted to them via email at: grad-q@asu.edu

When will a decision be made on my application?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Admissions Committee will review applications for Fall 2008 in different batches beginning late December. Recommendations for admissions will begin in January and continue through April.

I am an international student, when should I submit the Financial Guarantee Form?
The Financial Guarantee form is submitted after you are accepted to a graduate program. An email will be sent to you from the Graduate College with information on completing this form with the official admissions notice.

I missed the deadline for applications. Can I still apply?
Applications received after the deadline date will be reviewed and considered for admission; however, the applicant may not be eligible for special scholarships or fellowships and domestic students may miss an opportunity to visit the campus for the Department sponsored Visitation Weekend.  International students must consider important dates for the issuance of immigration documents.  Please refer to the following website for this information:  http://graduate.asu.edu/issuancei20.html