*** Note that Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Test Scores are no longer required ***

Statement of purpose

In this essay, you should describe your prior research experiences, academic background, service/outreach experiences, and future research interests for your graduate studies. To help structure your essay, consider answering the following questions:

• What are your future career goals after graduate school? How will earning a PhD allow you to attain those goals?
• Why are you specifically interested in earning a PhD in Neuroscience? Which research topics and approaches are you most passionate about and why?
• What experiences have prepared you for graduate school? What challenges have you experienced in your education/research that demonstrate your commitment to research?
• Why are you specifically interested in pursuing your training at UCI? Name 3 or 4 faculty you would be interested in conducting your graduate training with and explain why.

Personal History Statement (optional)

In this essay, you should describe your personal background and any challenges or obstacles you may have encountered in your academic journey and how you overcame them. To help structure your essay, consider answering the following questions:

• What unique experiences have led you to desire a career in neuroscience?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses? How will you develop your skills in graduate school to further build your strengths and overcome any weaknesses?
• Have you positively contributed to your undergraduate department or university? Can you provide evidence of leadership or mentorship skills?
• Have you been an active advocate for diversity, inclusion and equity? How?
• Have you encountered any difficulties along the way and why (e.g., explain any extenuating circumstances that account for low grades in courses, limited research accessibility, etc., if applicable)?

Transcripts

All transcripts from your post-secondary institutions attended. If not stated in your transcript, please also include a Certificate of Graduation indicating your Bachelor Degree award.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Reference forms for use by the recommender are included in your on-line application. For the Academic Degree Program indicate INP.

Current Curriculum Vitae (optional)

A well-organized CV is an effective way to summarize your training and research experiences. Although optional, please consider including one in your application.

TOEFL and TSE Scores (international students)

Unless they obtained an undergraduate degree from an institution in which English is the sole language of instruction, international students are required to submit their TOEFL and TSE Scores (see English Proficiency Policy below for details). For score reporting, the institution code is 4859. A department code is not required.

English Proficiency Policy: All graduate applicants, except those who have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database, are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration.  Please see WHED’s instructions on how to search for an institution. 

The INP Executive Committee, Director, and Associate Director act as the Admissions Committee. Following an initial screening of applications for completeness, the Admissions Committee will review and rank all applications. Top candidates will be invited for an interview to be held in late January or early February 2026. The Director and Associate Director make final offers of admissions to applicants, based on the recommendations of the interviewing faculty and the Executive Committee.