How to Apply

Please visit our FAQ page for answers to your questions about applying to our Graduate Programs.

We accept Spring and Fall applications. Application and all supporting documents for admission for the Fall semester are due by January 15th of each year, and for the Spring semester the deadline is October 15th of each year. Admission for the Spring semester is limited to just a few new students and is very competitive. To be eligible for admission to a graduate program:

    • You must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline.
    • Your GPA should be at least 3.0.
    • You have taken the GRE and, if necessary, the TOEFL within the past two years. A subject GRE is not required, but we strongly recommend taking the subject test since a good score will SIGNIFICANTLY enhance your application.

 

All applications are submitted online. The online application process consists of two parts.

First, you must submit a General Application to the Graduate College . You do not need to pay the application fee – it will be paid by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

You will need the following information in preparation for completing the Graduate College application:

    • The beginning/ending dates and location(s) of your academic degree(s);
    • Grade point average (GPA) calculation - Information for calculating overall and junior-senior undergraduate and graduate GPA can be found on the Graduate College website: http://graduate.asu.edu/admissions/help/4gradeav.html for grading systems using a 4.0 scale and http://graduate.asu.edu/admissions/help/othrgradeav.html for grading systems that do not use the 4.0 system.
    • Your GRE and TOEFL Scores (unofficial scores can be used in your initial application)
    • Arizona Residency information if you are a resident in the state of Arizona

When you have completed this part of the application, you will need to mail one set of official transcripts/mark sheets from every institution from which a bachelor's or higher degree was earned to the graduate college. Students who are applying from Indian Institutions must send BOTH their Certificate and Their Mark Sheets. You do not need to submit Arizona State University transcripts. Detailed information on the Graduate College application process, including the mailing address to send official documents, can be found at: http://graduate.asu.edu/admissions/index.html.

Before you can be officially admitted, official GRE and TOEFL (for international students) test scores must be sent to the Graduate College by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Use the institution Code 4007. If a department code is required, use 000 for the GRE and 99 for the TOEFL. A Chemistry Subject GRE score is not required, but will significantly enhance your application.

Click HERE to begin your application to the Graduate College.
Second, you must submit a Supplemental Application directly to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In order to submit the supplemental application to the Department, you will need an ASURITE ID from the Graduate College. You will receive your ASURITE by email from the Graduate College 1 - 3 days after you submit your application to them. The Graduate College will not send your ASURITE ID until you COMPLETE AND SUBMIT their General application (see above).

To apply to the Department you will need to have the following information:

    • Areas of Research and Faculty Member Interest
    • A brief personal Statement that includes a narrative concerning your motivations for graduate study in Chemistry & Biochemistry, a discussion of any long-term career goals, further information on research and potential faculty interests and a list of all honors, awards and scholarships . It is particularly important to describe your research experience and list any publications.
    • Test scores and GPA information
    • Contact information for Three (3) faculty members who will write letters of recommendation for you, and can comment on your suitability for advanced scholarly work. If you are currently employed full-time, only one of these letters can be from your employer.
    • A copy of your unofficial transcripts.

    Do not send any materials by mail to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

     

Click HERE to begin your supplemental application to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (address: https://chem-webtools.asu.edu/index.asp)

Additional Requirements for International Applicants
If English is not your native language, you must provide evidence of English proficiency as indicated by acceptable scores on the TOEFL or IELTS as follows:

    • The minimum TOEFL requirement for admission to is 83 (iBT). The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry requires a speaking score of 20 or above. You will be required to report your score on the Speaking section of the iBT when submitting your Supplemental Application to the Department
    • The minimum IELTS requirement is an overall band score of 6.5 with no individual band below a 6.0.

Applicants who have achieved one of the following at a regionally accredited college/university in the United States do not need to submit evidence of English proficiency:

    • Earned a bachelor's degree or higher
    • Completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate level study with a GPA of 3.00 or higher
    • Completed at least 90 undergraduate semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher

If your most recent test was taken more that two years prior to when you start classes at ASU, you must retake the TOEFL/IELTS. Official test scores should be sent by the Educational Testing Service as soon as possible. When ordering a score report from ETS, use institution code 4007. Do not use a department code. Further information on the TOEFL examination and the schedule for exam locations can be found at http://www.toefl.org/. Applications can not be processed without valid evidence of English proficiency.

Before an international applicant can be granted a student visa, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service requires verification that the applicant has the financial resources to cover their expenses during their graduate study. The required Financial Guarantee Form can be downloaded from the website of the ASU Graduate College at http://www.asu.edu/graduate/forms/index.html. This form should not be completed unless you have received and accepted an offer of admission. Instructions on completing this form will be sent with your admissions notice.

All international academic records must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal and complete versions of original records, and the documents must be translated by a university, a government official, or an official translation service.

Students Wanting to Transfer from Another Graduate Program
We rarely accept students who are transferring from other graduate programs. If you are currently in another graduate program you will need to supply three letters of recommendation from your CURRENT institution, i.e. the one that you are transferring from. Please do not have any letters sent from your previous institution. Specifically, we will need a letter from your CURRENT RESEARCH SUPERVISOR stating explicitly why you want to transfer to ASU. If we do not get a letter from your current supervisor, we will NOT be able to review your application. 

Please visit our FAQ page for answers to your questions about applying to our Graduate Programs.