Admission Requirements

Student examining plant samples

To be considered for admission to the Plant Biology graduate program at Penn State, prospective students must have:

  • An appropriate academic background, including a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years (junior/senior) of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university. Research experience is desirable.

  • Proficiency in the English language. With some exceptions (noted below), international candidates are required to take the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and submit the results of the test with application for admission.

    • Department code: 30

    • Institution code: 2660

  • Note: International applicants are exempt from the TOFEL/IELTS requirement if they have received a baccalaureate or a master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the countries listed on Admission Requirements for International Students of the Fox Graduate School at Penn State.

Note: GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) scores are not required for admission. However, if you have taken the General GRE Aptitude Test and/or the GRE Subject Test and received good scores that you think could boost the strength of your overall application, you may submit those test scores.

  • Institution code: 2660
  • Department code: 5199

Applicants also must complete the forms and send in the materials outlined in the instructions on how to apply.