Frequently Asked Questions
1. What chemistry background do I need to apply?
For admission in full standing to either the Ph.D. or M.S. programs, applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in chemistry or a closely related subject. All applicants should have completed the following undergraduate core requirements: sophomore-level Organic Chemistry I & II, junior-level Physical Chemistry I (Thermo & Kinetics), and sophomore/junior-level Analytical Chemistry (Quantitative Analysis). Students are also expected to complete junior-level Physical Chemistry II (Quantum), senior-level Instrumental Analysis, senior-level Inorganic Chemistry, and senior-level Biochemistry I courses before enrollment in the graduate program.
Applicants who have not completed the above core requirements may still be admitted on a case-by-case basis. However, these students are required to remedy all deficiencies.
2. What GRE score do I need for admission? Do I need to take the chemistry GRE exam?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry no longer requires or even accepts GRE scores as part of the application. We do not require the GRE Chemistry exam.
3. I am a non-native English speaking international student. What TOEFL score do I need?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry does not have a minimum TOEFL, IELTS, etc. score for admission as it is handled by the International Office and Graduate School. All information about English exams can be found here: https://international.olemiss.edu/english-proficiency-requirements-11-2019/. Additionally, all TAs will be required to be evaluated for their English proficiency in a separate assessment.
4. What financial support is available?
The department offers Teaching Assistantships to all of the M.S .and Ph.D. students that we admit. The stipend is at least $23,000 for 12 months. There are also honors fellowships for highly qualified applicants and minority fellowships available through the graduate school.
5. When should I apply?
For full consideration of your application for Fall admission, please have all of your materials submitted by December 7 of the previous year. The deadline from the Graduate School is April 1, but offers are likely to have already been made by early Spring. Spring admission is atypical and will only be considered in exceptional cases.
6. Do you require letters of recommendation and a personal statement?
We require three (3) letters of recommendation and a personal statement outlining your background, career aspirations and motivation for graduate studies. Contact information for the letters are entered during the online application. The personal statement is uploaded directly during the online application process. You can apply online through the Graduate School’s website at Graduate Application.
7. How do I check the progress of my application?
You can check on the receipt of your GRE, transcripts, and for international students, the TOEFL score through the Graduate School’s website at Status. Your application is not complete and cannot be reviewed for admission until the Graduate School has received the official scores and transcripts. The Department then reviews the applications, makes admissions decisions and Teaching Assistantship offers. If all of your official documents have been received, you can check on the progress of your application in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry by emailing chemgrad@olemiss.edu.
8. What campus houses the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry?
The Oxford main campus.
9. Can the application fee be waived?
McNair Scholars do not have to pay the application fee per Graduate Student policy. Former Ole Miss Physical Chemistry REU students also do not have to pay the application fee; they should contact the department (chemgrad@olemiss.edu) about setting this up. Beyond these, no, this fee cannot be waived for any other reason. This is a policy set forward by the Graduate School and cannot be affected by our Department.
10. Do I need to secure an advisor before applying?
No, you do not need to secure an advisor before applying. All students are admitted independent of any potential research advisor. However, seeing what research is ongoing and contacting those faculty members can be useful in crafting your application materials, but securing a commitment is not required.
Further inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator at chemgrad@olemiss.edu.