ADMISSION

The Entomology and Nematology Department encourages inquiries and applications from all qualified students. In order to access information about our department including the faculty, student body and courses taught, prospective students are encouraged to visit the department's web site at:

Since the information is available on our web site, except in special circumstances, the Office of the Graduate Coordinator no longer mails out application packets of materials. Students are encouraged to apply online, by visiting the University of Florida web site where information is available to guide the student through the application process. If the student prefers not to apply online, forms may be printed, filled out, and submitted by mail.

To be admitted to the Graduate School, the student must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The Entomology and Nematology Department does not require an undergraduate major in entomology, nematology, or biology as a condition of admission.

Applicants must provide the Office of Admissions with official transcripts of all previous college and/or university studies and official copies of GRE and TOEFL (if applicable) scores. If the transcripts are not in English, certified copies of English translations must be included. All application documents should be sent to the Office of Admissions, Box 2946, Gainesville, FL 32602-2946.

Our department requires the following documents, which should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator, and not to the Office of Admissions: a) a Statement of Purpose written by the student, which should indicate previous training and experience, interests, and educational and career goals as an entomologist or nematologist; b) three letters of recommendation from persons in a position to evaluate the student's academic potential; c) the form requesting an assistantship or fellowship, unless you are funded by another organization such as your institution, government, a granting agency, or are self-funded; d) copies of transcripts (photocopies are satisfactory); e) a copy of the application form, unless you apply online; and f) a copy of your GRE general test scores.

Also, we require that a prospective student find a faculty member who will be his/her major advisor and provide a research opportunity, which may include an assistantship. We do not accept students for graduate study until they have a faculty advisor and until the source of funding is known.

Our Graduate Committee, chaired by the Graduate Coordinator, makes the admission decision. If a student is denied admission by our Graduate Committee and wishes to appeal the decision, the Department Chairperson and the Graduate Coordinator serve as an appeals committee. Their decision is final. For various reasons we may not be able to accept everyone who meets the minimum requirements. Alternatively, we may accept a prospective student who does not meet all of the minimum requirements if exceptional strength is shown in a particular area. For example, if the GRE score is below the minimum, and if strength is demonstrated in other areas of the application, we have the option, subject to approval by the Graduate School, of accepting a student on a conditional basis. Conditional admission usually requires that the student make no grade less than a A or B on the first 12 hours of courses.

Our department requires a minimum score of 1,000 (combined verbal and quantitative) on the GRE general test, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 system) on the last 60 credits or two years of undergraduate work.

For international students for those whose language of academic instruction is not English, we require a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL. Additionally, international students must certify financial responsibility as stipulated in the documents obtained from the University of Florida web site. Financial support may come from the student's government, a granting agency, personal funds, or from a faculty member. We have no departmental assistantships for international students. Any questions regarding financial responsibility and visas should be addressed to the University of Florida International Center at telephone number (352) 392-5323; or FAX number (352) 392-5575, web site: http://www.ufic.ufl.edu