January 10 for fall semester entry and October 1 for spring semester entry (submission prior to these dates is strongly encouraged). The following is a step-by-step procedure for applying to our program. To help you organize this process, refer to the Graduate School's checklist.

Department of Marine Sciences Application Process:

Step 1.

Applying to any graduate program is a big step and requires time and effort to make the best decision for your future. The first step is to accumulate as much information about a program and potential faculty advisors as possible. We recommend you read about our faculty and contact members whose research closely align with your interests. Go to the library or ask potential advisors for copies of their recent research articles to see the types of work they are currently conducting. This is an important consideration, because by choosing a supervisor you choose a research area.


• Communicate with Faculty by email or phone, let them know you are interested in their research and ask if they have room available for a new student.
• Give them a short history of your education, research interests and career goals.
• Schedule a visit to the campus, if possible, talk to faculty and students about the graduate program and tour the facilities. Since we do not accept students who have not identified a potential advisor or a particular research interest, this phase is exceedingly important in the application process.

Step 2.

Obtain an application form, either from the Graduate Application web page or by contacting the graduate school directly at (860) 486-3617.

Step 3.

Carefully fill out the application, on-line or paper copy, and send it to the Graduate School with a full and complete copy sent also to the Department of Marine Sciences along with the following documents:

Personal letter of application — is a very important component of the application. The essay (2 pages) should clearly identify your interests, explain why you are pursuing a graduate degree and why you feel UCONN’s Marine Sciences Program is best suited for pursuit of your career goals. Make certain you target your essay to appropriate faculty members with whom you are interested in working. Your essay should also highlight your motivation for doing graduate work, any relevant training or professional and research experiences you have had, and academic honors, scholarships, etc. The objective is to provide as complete a picture of you as an individual as possible, including and stressing information that goes beyond just numbers and scores. Detailed and well thought-out comments are much more valuable than vague generalizations.

Official transcripts – must be formal (certified) copies. All transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended, either part-time or full-time, must be included. Applicants are expected to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in science degree or equivalent preparation in mathematics, physics and chemistry (at least one year in each discipline). Admission is very competitive and although a GPA of 3.0 is the minimum University requirement for graduate admission, successful applicants to Marine Sciences that are eligible for departmental financial support typically have GPAs considerably higher than the minimum, usually greater than 3.5 in the last four academic semesters.

Three letters of recommendation – should be selected carefully. When possible, have at least one letter from someone who has seen you work in a field or laboratory research atmosphere (e.g., an advisor for an undergraduate research project). Individuals providing a letter of reference should provide candid evaluations of your scientific aptitude, training, motivation, teaching talent, and ability to express yourself orally and in technical writing.

Graduate Record Examination scores – are required for admission consideration to the Department of Marine Sciences. High GRE scores can compensate for modest grades. However, a poor result on the GRE does not necessarily jeopardize your chances if the rest of your file is strong. Individuals reviewing the file realize that everyone can ‘have a bad day’. In recent years, applicants which have a combined Verbal and Quantitative score 1200+ and a writing score 5.0+ have tended to be most competitive for department-supported teaching and research assistantships.

TOEFL-scores (if English is not your first language) – are required by the University to be considered for admission. In order to be admitted the result for the TOEFL computer test must be 213 or better and 550 or better for the TOEFL written test. The US now has additional federal policies and regulations governing international students (see below).

Financial aid request form (if you are eligible) – can be obtained from the Graduate School and are available on the following web site: www.grad.uconn.edu/financial_aid.html

Non-refundable application fee – is required in order for the University to begin processing your application.



Send all the applications materials to:

University of Connecticut Graduate School 438 Whitney Road Ext, Unit 1006 Storrs, CT 06269-1006 Phone: 860-486-3617 Fax: 860-486-6739 E-mail: gradschool@uconn.edu

Step 4.

To insure the expeditious processing of your application materials, send a copy of your entire graduate application file (certified transcripts are not required) to:

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Marine Sciences
1080 Shennecossett Road
Groton, CT 06340
Phone: 860-405-9152
Fax: 860-405-9153
email: marinesciences@uconn.edu

Financial Support

Students may be supported by Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships. The Department can also nominate exceptional students for funding under the University Scholar program, which offers 3 year fellowships. If a student receives 50% or more stipend support during the academic year, they will receive a University tuition remission. Stipends are also available for students engaged in research projects during the summer.

Most students are supported by research grants and contracts obtained by individual faculty members, and students supported in this way work on a specific project related to the grant. Learning about your potential advisor and communicating with her/him about your skills and scientific interests provide valuable information for the selection process.

We also strongly encourage you to apply for graduate school fellowships that are awarded by a number of federal and private agencies (e.g, National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research). These fellowships are highly competitive and if awarded, your acceptance to the Department is almost guaranteed. Start the application process early (your college or university should have access to information), as you will need to arrange letters of reference, etc. In addition, work with your identified graduate advisor to create a competitive proposal.


Information for international applicants or permanent resident aliens

     International applicants or permanent resident aliens must provide evidence of their ability to meet all expenses for at least the first year of study and present a plan for financing the remainder of their program. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores must be submitted. Special information for international students interested in applying is available from the Department of International Services and Programs.

• January 10th - Deadline for submission of applications.
• February 1st to 15th - recommendations concerning departmental graduate funding made. Highest ranked students notified.
• February 15th - Decisions regarding support from the University Scholar Program made. Recommendations concerning department graduate funding made. Highest ranked students notified.
• March 1st -- Students not receiving departmental support or support from the University Scholar Program notified of acceptance. Students not receiving these types of support can still be accepted with support from research grants. Please note, we generally do not admit students into the program without providing some form of financial assistance.
• March 30th - Students not admitted to the Program notified