Before starting your journey into graduate school, we recommend that you have clear reasons for attending graduate school. Knowing if graduate school is right for you and what to expect will not only help in your decision making, it may also help you write a better personal statement.
If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Botany, you first must identify one or more faculty members with whom you would like to work. If a faculty member is interested in having you join their lab, they will advocate for your admission. We suggest that you contact faculty members to introduce yourself and to inquire whether they are looking for prospective M.S. or Ph.D. students. You might also contact current graduate students working with faculty members whom you have contacted. Here are suggested questions to ask faculty and graduate students.
Visiting campus to meet with a potential advisor is often valuable for both prospective students and faculty. You may visit campus before or after submitting your official application. Faculty may invite prospective students to visit, or applicants may initiate their own visit. In either case, coordinate with your potential advisor so you can arrange to meet with other faculty, staff, and current graduate students. Contact the Botany Graduate Program Coordinator at gradinfo@botany.wisc.edu for information on possible recruitment events and financial assistance for travel expenses.
After you have identified a prospective advisor, completing the Graduate School’s online application formally starts the application process. Applications that meet the Graduate School’s entrance requirements, as described in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School Guide, are forwarded to the Botany Department for further review. The Botany Department’s Graduate Committee will recommend which MS and PhD applicants should be offered admission. The number of admissions in any given year is typically limited by the department’s ability to provide financial support.
Admission into the Botany graduate program is based on the applicant’s
- undergraduate record
- three letters of recommendation
- previous research experience and
- shared interests with one or more potential faculty advisors
Submission of your GRE scores is not required.
To ensure consideration for both admission to and financial support from the Botany graduate program, we must receive your complete application by December 1st. Refer to the Application Checklist to ensure your application is complete. Late applications may be considered until April 15th.
See our FAQ page for answers to common questions about the application and selection process.