The MCW Graduate School operates on a rolling admissions basis. However, applications accepted by the priority application deadline of December 15 will receive first priority for admission the following Fall. Students are admitted once per year.

Transcripts
Send official transcripts from all current or previously attended undergraduate, graduate and medical institutions directly to the MCW Graduate School. Transcripts in the hands of prospective students are not accepted as "official" unless they are submitted in their original envelope with signed seals intact. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is ideal. Electronic transcripts may be accepted from institutions that use either eSCRIP-SAFE, National Clearinghouse and/or Parchment transcript delivery companies.

GRE Results
An official test score, GRE or otherwise, is no longer required for admission consideration. However, test score submissions will be consider if they are submitted voluntarily.

Letters of Recommendation
Send three letters of recommendation. Recommenders should submit their letter of recommendation via scan-and-email to gradschool@mcw.edu or by mail to:

MCW Graduate School
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants who did not receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S.-based, non-online degree granting program. Please arrange for your TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the MCW Graduate School from Educational Testing Services (ETS). Use institution code 1519. A score of 100 on the internet-based version is recommended for competitive consideration. Applicants who wish to request a waiver of the TOEFL must do so in writing via email to gradschool@mcw.edu.

On the basis of the factors listed below, individual programs will judge whether the applicant has the intellectual capability, professional commitment, research interest and experience to succeed in the program. Additional measures may be taken to determine if the applicant has the physical, communicative, and behavioral attributes necessary to complete the required course of study and research offered by the program.

Aptitude and Commitment to Research
As conveyed in a personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, and in an interview (in person or by phone). A successful applicant will show strong motivation, passion for discovery and excitement for neuroscience research.

Experience in Research
A highly competitive applicant will have research experience in a lab, and neuroscience research is preferred.

Grade Point Average (GPA)
For basic science programs a GPA of 3.0 in science and math courses and a 3.0 overall or better. The Graduate School conducts an evaluation of foreign transcripts to determine equivalencies. Grade point average is based on a 4.0 point scale. A highly competitive applicant will have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and significant math, biology, chemistry or neuroscience coursework.

Interpretation of Minimum Admission Requirements
The Admission Committees of individual programs evaluates the overall ability of their applicants based on these criteria and subsequently report their recommendations regarding the admission of specific applicant’s to the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The GPA and GRE scores of most matriculated students are significantly above the minimum requirements listed above, however applicants with lower scores may be offered admission in exceptional cases. In the special circumstance of recommending admission of an applicant who does not meet the minimum standards, the recommendation from the Admission Committee must be accompanied by a written explanation of the Admission Committee’s rationale for waiving the usual standards. The Dean will review that explanation along with the application and make the final admission decision.

Technical standards, distinguished from academic standards for admission to The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), consist of the minimum physical, cognitive, and emotional attributes required to provide reasonable assurance that a student can complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of their training. Technical standards described here are a prerequisite for admission to, and for graduation from, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Physical Requirements
After adequate training and experience, the candidate must be capable of performing the experimental work required by the graduate program which he/she has entered. The specific requirements will vary from program to program, and within the specific research area with a program.

Communication
A successful candidate will have strong communication skills, both in oral and written form, and a mature ability to effectively handle critique.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
A candidate must have strong critical problem-solving skills in neuroscience. These skills include strong scientific rigor, honesty, understanding of the scientific method and the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize.

Behavioral and Social Attributes
A candidate must possess the emotional health, maturity and self-discipline required for full utilization of his/her intellectual ability and for successful participation in and completion of the Neuroscience Doctoral Program.

Evaluation
MCW may require that an applicant undergo a skills evaluation. MCW will endeavor to select and administer evaluations that accurately reflect the applicant's or student's aptitude or achievement level rather than the applicant's or student's disability.

Review of completed applications from degree seeking candidates is conducted by a faculty committee within the academic program. The outcome of the committee’s review is forwarded to the Dean as a recommendation for admission or rejection.

Offers of Admission
All offers of admission are made officially and solely by the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences on behalf of MCW and the academic program.

International Applicants
International applicants must provide official documents of college/or university transcripts/mark sheets in the language of instruction and in English. If academic records do not include proof of degree award, official documents of the diplomas/certificate must also be provided. Official documents bear the original seals, stamps or signatures of the institution officials. All academic credentials are reviewed and verified by the Graduate School.

Minority Admissions
MCW encourages the application, admission, and retention of ethnic or racial minority applicants into its graduate programs. In order to ensure that the affirmative action goals are upheld, and that all appropriate efforts are made to promote the admission of minority applicants, these applications are reviewed by both the Program Admissions Committee and, if necessary, the Admissions and Student Welfare Committee. MCW uses the same criteria as the Association of American Medical Colleges to identify minority groups.

MCW is committed to capitalizing on technological advances that create new opportunities for participation by disabled persons and will incorporate changes into its programs where feasible. A qualified disabled applicant or student shall not on the basis of his or her disability (except those which would preclude meeting the above-listed technical standards) be excluded from participation in graduate programs of the Medical College of Wisconsin.