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What are the minimum requirements for admission?
Admissions decisions are based on the complete application. There are no formal minimum requirements on any of the numerical parameters, such as GRE, GPA, TOEFL, etc. The information below is provided as guidance and is not intended to convey hard cutoffs:

• A B.A., B.S., M.S. or equivalent degree in chemistry or a closely related field
• Undergraduate research experience or post baccalaureate research experience is expected
• 2 semesters of general chemistry with labs
• 2 semesters of organic chemistry with labs
• 2 semesters of physical chemistry with labs
• 1 semester of inorganic chemistry
• 1 semester of analytical chemistry
• An undergraduate grade point average of at least B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

What is a complete application package?
A complete application package consists of the following items:

• ApplyTexas application
• Statement of Purpose (essay on ApplyTexas application)
• Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• GRE scores
• TOEFL scores, if an international student
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
• CV

What is a Statement of Purpose?
A statement of purpose generally serves to explain why you are interested in and passionate about chemistry and about pursuing graduate studies. The exact content and order of presentation is up to the applicant, but the admissions committee expects to see the following items:

• How your history has led you to advanced studies in chemistry
• Your anticipated career goals
• Your past research experience (Please provide details about your past projects, the results you obtained, and their significance)
• Your research interests, and which areas and research groups at Texas A&M are attractive to you
• Please mention how you became interested in attending Texas A&M

When will I receive my University Identification Number?
After your application is received and processed a letter containing your University Identification Number (UIN) will be emailed within 4 business days to the address you provided on your application.  Please check your SPAM filter for the communication as is has been reported that some internet-based providers route the letter there. If you do not receive a letter contact the Office of Admissions and Records at +1-979-845-1060 for further assistance.

What is the timeline for the review process?
Complete application packages are reviewed as they are received. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early, allowing for a more expedient review. Decisions may not always be rendered immediately after the initial review of an application because of the competitive nature of the process. The admissions committee may contact the applicant for additional information.

When and how will I be notified of the decision?
You will be informed of the committee's decision by email.  Many, but not all, offers are made by mid-February.  Some offers may be made as late as April.  If you are offered admission, your response will be requested by April 15, 2014. An earlier response will be very much appreciated.

The application deadline on the Chemistry website is different from those on ApplyTexas or Texas A&M University general website. Which should I follow?
Please follow our departmental deadline of December 15, 2013 for admission for Fall 2014.

Where should I mail my materials?
We request all materials be sent electronically when possible. However, we realize some institutions release only paper transcripts. For those documents only, please mail them to the appropriate address below.

For regular mail (US Postal Service)

Dept. of Chemistry Graduate Program Office
Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 30012
College Station, TX 77842-3012

For express mail (DHL, FedEx, UPS, EMS, TNT, etc.)

Texas A&M University
Dept. of Chemistry Graduate Program Office
Corner of Ross and Spence Streets
Room 114
College Station, TX 77843

How do I check the status of my application?
Please use the Applicant Information System (AIS) to check your status.

Documentation I uploaded to AIS or my ApplyTexas application does not show as received. Why?
There may be a delay of up to 4 business days before your documents show as received. If you submitted document after our deadline be aware that the University is closed between December 24 and January 1. The backlog for processing documents submitted while the university was closed can be up to 20 business days. Your documents will be date-stamped when received in the system. We will review your application as we receive it and when complete.

Whom do you consider domestic and international applicants?
A domestic applicant is a US citizen or a permanent resident in the US.  An international application is a citizen of a country other than the US, even if studying in the US.

Can I transfer from another PhD program?
Accepting students who are active in a different PhD program in chemistry is uncommon. In addition to all the regular application materials, a student from another PhD program should clearly explain their current academic standing and research progress, and present cogent reasons for wishing to leave. A letter from the current research advisor is required.

Do you accept applications for the Spring semester?
Spring admission is unusual. We consider applications received for admission in the Spring semester on a case-by-case basis.

Can I apply to more than one department at Texas A&M?
We do not recommend it. Applying for graduate studies in disparate disciplines makes it difficult to convey commitment to and passion for advanced studies in chemistry.

What is a CV?
Your Curriculum Vitae, or CV, is like a resume. It should contain information about your educational and professional background and history, list honors and awards, skills, activities, and interests relevant to graduate studies in chemistry. It should also list any published research papers and presentations.

Can I email my transcript?
An official copy of your transcript sent by your university is preferred. You may email to us a copy of your transcript and it will be considered "self reported." We will use the emailed copy of the transcript for consideration of your application until an official transcript is received.

Do I need a Meningitis Vaccine to apply?
Proof of vaccination is NOT required for your application to be considered. All students admitted to a Texas university must show proof of vaccination before they can enroll. http://admissions.tamu.edu/meningitis.aspx

What if my question is not listed here?
Please email us at gradmail@chem.tamu.edu

I am interested in a particular research area in chemistry. Do you have this area represented in your department?
Please take a look at the Research section of the departmental website which presents faculty research areas both by traditional divisions and by interest areas.

What are the major milestones in your Ph.D. program?
Please see guidelines.chem.tamu.edu

Is there an M.S. degree program?
Our graduate program is aimed at students interested in a obtaining a Ph.D. degree.

What if my question is not listed here?
Please email us at gradmail@chem.tamu.edu

Where can I find out about financial support offered to graduate students?
Please see the Financial Support section for complete information.
Our graduate stipend is $22,800 annually. In addition to the stipend, all tuition and fees are paid by the department. Students are also eligible for reduced-rate health benefits. Support is guaranteed for 5 years for students in good standing.

How can I apply for fellowships or awards?
All applicants are reviewed for their eligibility for fellowships and awards. We recommend submitting a complete application package early for consideration for all available awards as many deadlines are in early January.  If you are selected for a fellowship or an award, you will be notified by email.

If you have been awarded an external fellowship that will provide support for your graduate studies, please mention it explicitly in your statement of purpose or contact us later at gradmail@chem.tamu.edu   

There are also internal fellowships and awards available for students to apply for during various stages of their graduate studies at Texas A&M University.

What if my question is not listed here?
Please email us at gradmail@chem.tamu.edu

Where do I send my GRE and/or TOEFL scores?
Texas A&M University Code is 6003 and the Department of Chemistry Code is 0301.  Self-reported scores should be entered in the ApplyTexas application and a screen-shot or scan of your GRE report is emailed to gradmail@chem.tamu.edu. If you are accepted into the program, an official score report must be submitted to the TAMU Office of Admissions. Admission is conditional on the receipt of official score reports.

I plan to take GRE or TOEFL in December. May I submit my scores late?
You may submit your scores late. However, we cannot review your application until it is complete.

My GRE or TOEFL scores were lower than I would like. If I retake the test and do better, will you consider the new scores?
Yes, we will consider the new scores. Information received after the deadline may not be fully taken into consideration.

Are the GRE Chemistry scores required?
GRE Chemistry scores are required for all international applicants and for US applicants whose degrees are not in chemistry. We strongly recommended the GRE Chemistry for all applicants. The GRE Chemistry test is offered only a few times each year. Please plan accordingly.  Current information may be found at www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content/chemistry.

Why are GRE Chemistry scores “strongly recommended” for domestic applicants?
We will consider domestic applications without GRE Chemistry scores. However, the admissions committee views the GRE Chemistry score as a tool by which an applicant could augment the strength of his/her application.  Applicants with interests in the corresponding areas of chemistry may submit the results of the GRE Biochemistry or Physics tests to bolster their application.

What are the expected TOEFL and IELTS scores for evidence of English proficiency?
The Department of Chemistry requires a TOEFL iBT of at least 100 or IELTS band score of at least 7.5.
All admitted international applicants who join our program must pass the TAMU English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE) before they can be employed as teaching assistants.  See eli.tamu.edu/tamustudents/proficiency.php for the explanation of the State of Texas policies.

Do all international students have to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores?
All international students are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and pass the ELPE exam unless you:

• attended all 4 undergraduate years at and were awarded a baccalaureate degree from a US college or university, OR
• are a native speaker of English from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom

What if my question is not listed here?
Please email us at gradmail@chem.tamu.edu