FAQ

The institution code for Brown University is 3094.  There is no separate department/program code.

General and subject GREs are not required or considered for Therapeutic Sciences Graduate Program admission. Instead, we view each application as a whole, and place emphasis on more powerful predictors of success, such as letters of recommendation, research experience, personal statements, academic performance and interviews. In evaluating individual academic performance, we consider personal hardship and other challenging factors that may affect performance. 

A language proficiency exam (TOEFL/IELTS) is usually required for international students.  Language proficiency exams are not required of those students who have earned a degree from a non-U.S. university where the primary language of instruction is English, or from a college or university in the United States*, or in any of the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales), West Indies, Zambia. Students with degrees from universities in countries not on this list, but where English is the primary language of instruction, should have their university Registrar or Dean send a letter to the Graduate School, referencing the applicant's name and proposed area of study, and stating that English is the primary language of instruction for that institution. 

Graduate students who are candidates for the PhD are accepted into TSGP with a commitment of full financial support (tuition, stipend, health insurance fees) while their research and academic studies progress satisfactorily.  The Graduate School guarantees this support for 5 years, as will be stated in each student's acceptance letter; every effort is made to provide funding for students in good standing whose work extends beyond the 5th year, and so far no student has ever had to leave any program in the Division of Biology and Medicine because of a loss of financial support beyond the 5th year.

See the PhD Overview or Program Handbook sections of this website for a listing of requirements.

Beginning in 2022, the online application will be available in early September each year.

The deadline is December 1 each year. 

Yes. However, you must demonstrate either financial need or participation in certain specialized programs listed on the fee waiver application.  The application can be found on the Graduate School website at: https://www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/application-fee-waivers.  Note:  to be considered for a fee waiver, the student's graduate program application must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the regular application deadline. 

No.  You may submit a copy of your transcript.  We only require official transcripts from applicants who have been accepted into the program.

On average, we receive approximately 40 applications each year.

Acceptances are typically entered in CollegeNet in March, within a few weeks after the recruitment day (January/February each year).  Prior to the recruitment day, generally within about two weeks after the application deadline, the applicants selected to be interviewed on the recruitment day will be invited by phone, with a follow up email.  

Our program is small; we generally admit only 4 or 6 students each year.

You can contact the Registrar’s Office at Box K, Providence, RI 02912, (401) 863-2500 and request a course catalog or search for courses on Courses @ Brown.  However, many relevant elective courses are listed in the PhD Overview section of this website.

Our past average is 5.5 years, although the recent trend in the program is to graduate in 4 to 5 years, which is our current goal.

Most Therapeutic Sciences graduates launch academic careers, but they also have found a variety of other very interesting career options, as shown in the graph in the section on "Alumni Outcomes"

Applicants should include information about the following in their personal statements.

  • why you are interested in pursuing a PhD, and why specifically in this program (Therapeutic Sciences at Brown)
  • previous research experience, including your own independent intellectual contribution to a project
  • any obstacles you have faced in your education, research, or work, and what you have done to confront or overcome them