admission guidelines
The botany program cultivates a collegial, interactive atmosphere in which graduate students participate as colleagues with faculty in the common pursuit of excellence in scholarship and research. Graduate students are expected to be independent, self-motivated, and enthusiastic about learning and about undertaking and completing original research. Because of these expectations and our commitment to maintaining an atmosphere that promotes research productivity, prospective graduate students are carefully screened to ensure high academic standards and compatibility with the ethos of the botany program. Therefore, the objective guidelines below may be less important in individual cases than demonstrated research ability or intellectual independence.
tests
For international students: to be considered for admission, applicants are required to achieve a minimum score of 95 (iBT), with section scores of no less than: Writing 22, Speaking 17, Reading 20, Listening 17. Official scores of 7.0 or higher (with no sub-score less than a 6.5) from the University of Cambridge's International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be considered in lieu of a TOEFL score.
GRE® General Test is optional - scores may be included in the application materials, but are not required.
deadlines
For Intake in Fall 2025:
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
The Botany Program waives the $80 admissions application fee and the $200 admissions deposit fee. Email [email protected] to request the application fee waiver.
For more information about applying to Claremont Graduate University, part of the seven-college Claremont consortium, visit the CGU webpage designed for prospective students. Applications should be sent directly to the CGU Admissions Office. The CGU Botany faculty at CalBG evaluate all applications and make decisions regarding admission and financial aid.
other
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent); A demonstrated ability to perform independent research.
It is strongly recommended that prospective students communicate directly with prospective faculty advisors whose research best fits their own interests. Owing to the small size of our program, "fit" is a key component of admissions.
The CGU Department of Botany at CalBG prepares its graduates to compete with top-caliber graduates in the field. The graduate student population is small, usually 10–15, and competition for existing positions is keen. Requirements for admission are rigorous and prospective students must have a strong academic record, excellent references and demonstrate a commitment to botanical research. Prospective students are encouraged to study admission requirements and to contact faculty whose research interests parallel their own.
Students in the Botany Program receive tuition waivers from CGU except under unusual circumstances. Full-time students are also eligible to apply for additional financial aid in the form of research and teaching assistantships. Research assistants work with CalBG faculty on a specific project over the course of a semester. Teaching assistants are apprenticed to one of the graduate courses and usually have responsibility for laboratory exercises. There are also teaching assistantships available in areas outside the graduate program such as community education. Students in good standing are also eligible for research support in the form of small grants. These are intended to enable students to launch their research projects and to collect the preliminary data required to successfully compete for funding from outside sources.
degree programs
M.S. Botany
Ph.D. BOTANY
Programs of study and research leading to both master's and doctoral degrees are offered. Master's students normally have 2.5 years (5 semesters) to complete and defend the thesis; Ph.D. students are expected to complete their degrees within five years.