Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Students

1. Who should I contact with questions about the graduate program in chemistry?
2. How do I apply to the graduate program in chemistry?
3. Are there separate applications for teaching and research assistantships or fellowships?
4. What is the deadline for application?
5. What are the requirements for admission to the graduate program in chemistry?
6. What is the minimum GPA for admittance?
7. Do I need to take the GRE?
8. Do I need to take the TOEFL?
9. What other documents must be submitted with the application?
10. Are international applicants required to submit a financial statement?
11. I heard that US applicants do not need to pay the application fee, is this true?
12. Is it possible to enter the program during the Winter or Summer terms?
13. What fellowships are available to chemistry graduate students?
14. What is the TA/RA stipend?
15. What fees must be paid by graduate students?
16. Is health insurance included in the TA/RA stipend?
17. What is the typical teaching load for TAs?
18. How can I arrange to visit the Department of Chemistry?
19. What are the requirements for the PhD and Masters degrees?
20. How are assignments to research advisors made?
21. How do I establish residency?
22. Where can I find information about the Tuscaloosa area?
23. Where can I find housing in Tuscaloosa?
24. What is the weather like in Tuscaloosa?

1. Who should I contact with questions about the graduate program in chemistry?

Dr. Carolyn Cassady, Director of Graduate Recruiting, is the best person to contact for questions about applying to the graduate program. Dr. Cassady and the Graduate Recruiting Committee handle admissions and financial aid decisions and coordinate visits by prospective students. Dr. Shane Street, Direct of Graduate Studies, oversees the graduate curriculum once students have entered the program. Ms. Janice Voss is the Graduate Program secretary. She can provide assistance in the application process, arranging a visit to the department, or in contacting other members of the faculty. If you are interested in working with a specific faculty member, you may feel free to contact them. Be aware that the Graduate Recruiting Committee, not individual faculty, make all admission and financial aid decisions. Top

2. How do I apply to the graduate program in chemistry?

Students can apply electronically at the Graduate School's electronic application center. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to Dr. Cassady (Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama, Box 870336, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0336). In addition to the application, you should arrange to have your transcripts sent to Dr. Cassady. Also you should arrange for GRE and TOEFL (if required) scores to be electronically sent to the Graduate School. The code to have GRE and TOEFL scores sent to UA is 1830. Top

3. Are there separate applications for teaching and research assistantships or fellowships?

No, the Graduate School application is the only application you need to make. All students who apply to our program will be fully considered for teaching or research assistantship positions. Nearly all of our entering students are offered full TA or RA stipends. Qualified applicants will also be considered for fellowship opportunities. There are no additional forms to be filled out by the applicant to be considered for these awards. Top

4. What is the deadline for application?

Although there is not an official application deadline, we encourage students to submit applications by January 15th for admission in the fall semester. Applications submitted by this date will receive full consideration for TA positions, and the limited number of fellowship opportunities that are available. If you miss this deadline, we would still encourage you to apply. Applications received after January 15th will be considered for admission, provided that additional TA or RA positions are available. Occasionally, students are admitted for the winter term, which begins in January. Students wishing to begin in January, should submit their application in the summer before the wish to enter the program. Top

5. What are the requirements for admission to the graduate program in chemistry?

Students admitted to the graduate program must have completed a BS degree in chemistry or a closely related field. Students from countries that offer 3 year BS degrees, must also earn a MS degree prior to entering the program. Students generally must have earned a B average (3.0 or equivalent) during their undergraduate and prior graduate work to gain regular admittance. Applicants must also take the GRE exam. A score of 1000 on the GRE (1500 on the old version) is required for regular admittance. In special cases, students who achieve the necessary GPA or GRE score, but not both, may be admitted as a conditional admit. More information can be found on the Graduate School web site. Top

6. What is the minimum GPA needed for admittance to the chemistry graduate program?

The Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B average) for all college work for regular admittance. As described in question 5, conditional admittance is possible for students who meet the minimum GRE score, but are below the GPA minimum.

7. Do I need to take the GRE?

Yes, the GRE is required for admittance. A score of 1000 or greater (1500 on the old GRE) is required for regular admission. Top

8. Do I need to take the TOEFL?

If your native language is not English and your degree is not from a US institution, you must take the TOEFL and have the score sent to UA (code 1830). A TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test (pBT), 213 on the computer-based test (cBT), or 79 on the internet-based test (iBT) is required for regular admittance. If you have a bachelors or masters degree from an institution in the US, then you do not need to submit a TOEFL score even if your native language is not English. Top

9. What documents must be submitted with the application?

• The official Graduate School Application, which can be filled out online.
• Three letters of recommendation from professional references must be sent to the Chemistry Department. Preferably these letters will come from chemistry faculty who have been your instructor or research mentor, or from supervisors in chemstry-related jobs.
• A statement of purpose outlining why you want to go to graduate school, and what you career goals are.
• Official transcripts from all college level institutions you've attended, whether or not a degree was earned.
• Official GRE scores.
• Official TOEFL scores, if required (see question 7).
• Application fee. This feel will be paid for all domestic applicants once your application is complete. You do not need to send the fee to the graduate school. International students will need to provide the application fee, however (see item 9).

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10. Are international applicants required to submit a financial statement?

No, international applicants who wish to be considered for TA or RA assistantships or fellowships are not required to submit a financial statement. The majority of applicants that we make offers to are supported by assistantship or fellowship and, therefore, never need to provide a financial statement. However, in the cases where an international student plans to provide their own support (i.e., tuition and living expenses) to attend graduate school, the international applicant is required to provide a financial statement after an offer of admission without support is made. If an applicant will be supported by a fellowship from their native country, documentation of this financial support must be provided to the UA Graduate School; this should be provided at the time of application. Top

11. I heard that US applicants do not need to pay the application fee, is this true?

Yes, the Department of Chemistry will pay the application fee for all domestic US applicants. Complete your application as usual. Once your application is complete, we will pay the fee. It is helpful if you contact Dr. Cassady or Ms. Voss, so that we know to pay your application fee. Do not worry, we can consider your application even if the fee is not paid. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient resources to pay application fees for international students. International students will need to pay the application fee in order for their application to be considered. Top

12. Is it possible to enter the program during the Winter or Summer terms?

Most students will enter the graduate program in the fall semester, which begins in late August. We strongly recommend beginning in the fall semester for most students. In some cases, a small number of students will be admitted at other times, usually in January at the start of the winter term. Admission at times other than the fall semester will be dependent on the availability of TA or RA positions. Top

13. What fellowships are available to chemistry graduate students?

A number of fellowships are available to both entering and current chemistry graduate students. Of particularly interest for 2007 is the Bridge to Doctorate program. This program, which is limited to students who were involved in an LSAMP program as undergraduates, offers a $30,000/year stipend for two years, plus additional funds for travel and other opportunities. See the financial support page for a complete list of available fellowships. For incoming students, the major fellowships that are available are the Dean's Merit Assistantship, the Graduate Council Fellowship, and the Future Faculty Fellowship. These fellowships provide full stipends and tuition waivers, while relieving students from teaching duties. Top

14. What is the TA/RA stipend?

The TA stipend is $21,036 for the 2007-08 academic year. This stipend is a 12 month stipend. RA stipends are set by the individual research advisors, but generally are the same as the TA stipend. All assistantships and fellowships come will a full waiver of tuition and fees that is worth approximately $6,000 for in-state students and $17,000 for out of state students. In addition, all students on assistantships will receive health insurance for themselves through the University at no cost. Top

15. What fees must be paid by graduate students?

Students on TA and RA receive full tuition waivers worth approximately $6,000 for in-state students and $17,000 for out of state students and receive a waiver for the majority of student fees. Students will pay $5/credit hour (typically $30-60/semester) to the College of Arts & Sciences, although we hope that this fee will be covered as of fall 2008. Students on assistantships will receive single health insurance coverage at no cost (see question 15). International students are required to have health insurance. For more information, see the financial support page. Top

16. Is health insurance included in the TA/RA stipend?

International students are required to have health insurance. Domestic students are not required to have health insurance, although it is strongly advised. Students supported with assistantships will receive single-coverage health insurance as part of their stipend. Students can purchase couple of family insurance for an additional cost. More information on the health insurance benefit can be found on the Graduate School web site. Current premiums for the health insurance plan can be found here. Top

17. What is the typical teaching load for TAs?

Full time TAs are considered to have a 0.5 full time employment (FTE) assignment, meaning they are expected to work 20 hours/week as TAs. This time is distributed between student contact time, office hours, preparation, and grading. Generally first year TAs will teach in the freshman or organic lab courses, where they will be assigned approximately 10 hours/week of contact time. This work load is equivalent to 3 lab sections of freshman chemistry or 2 sections of organic chemistry. Top

18. How can I arrange to visit the Department of Chemistry?

We encourage all prospective students to visit the Department of Chemistry. Department visits are a critical component of the process of deciding which graduate program is right for you. We generally encourage students to plan to spend at least one full day in the department so that they can visit with faculty and graduate students. The department will cover reasonable travel expenses for any student who has completed his or her application to the graduate program. To arrange a visit, contact Dr. Cassady or Ms. Janice Voss to find a suitable date for your visit. Visits can be arranged any time of year, but are usually best if arranged during the regular academic term to ensure that most faculty will be around. Most students visit during the early spring. Top

19. What are the requirements for the PhD and Masters degrees?

A complete description of the requirements can be found on the MS and PhD program pages. Top

20. How are assignments to research advisors made?

During the fall semester, first year graduate students hear presentations by all of the research active faculty. Once this series of talks is complete, students are able to petition to join faculty groups. Generally students will talk with the faculty in their major area. Once the student has made their first choice, he or she will talk with that faculty member. If the faculty member is willing the accept the student, he or she will sign the research advisor form. Final approval of the choice is made by the Director of Graduate Studies. We generally strive to accommodate students' first choices in research advisor, but occasionally limited space or funding may mean that students do not get their first choice. We hope that students joining our program will have several faculty with whom they'd be interested in working. Top

21. How do I establish residency in Alabama?

Alabama residents receive a significant discount on tuition at Alabama. While this does not affect graduate students directly, since you are not paying tuition, it will affect the department or your research advisor, who is paying your tuition. Therefore, we encourage all students who are able to become Alabama residents as soon as possible. For more information on the non-resident policy at UA, visit the Registrar's non-resident tuition page. To apply for resident status, fill out the Application for Reclassification of Residence form and to the Registrar's office prior to the first day of the semester where you'd like the change to take place (as early as the start of your second year).

22. Where can I find information about the Tuscaloosa area?

The Tuscaloosa area comprises about 100,000 people in West-Central Alabama. Tuscaloosa is about 50 miles West of Birmingham, 200 miles West of Atlanta, and 300 miles Northeast of New Orleans. The Graduate School has a good collection of Tuscaloosa links. Top

23. Where can I find housing in Tuscaloosa?

On Campus: The University provides an excellent residence program that supports graduate students. Please visit Residential Life online or call (205) 348-6676. Top

Off Campus: Most graduate students live off campus. Apartments are generally plentiful in Tuscaloosa, and cover a wide price range depending on proximity to UA and quality. You can search for apartments on Apartment Finder, Apartments Alabama, or Yahoo Real Estate. Top

24. What is the weather like in Tuscaloosa?

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