Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Application to the Pharmacology & Toxicology Program

photo 4When should I apply?  Anytime before January 15th  of the academic year in which you seek entry into the program. Late applications may be considered, but secondarily to those submitted by January 15th.  Entry into the program is expected to be July 1st, because research experiences begin immediately. Rarely is entry at other times than Fall semester considered.

What happens to applications?  Applicant files are reviewed on a continuing basis between December 1 and January 15th by the four members of the Graduate Admissions Committee and selected domestic applicants are invited to Salt Lake City at Department expense, for a familiarization weekend, usually in mid-late February.  Offers to join the program, a decision made by the entire program faculty, are transmitted shortly thereafter.  Candidates have until April 15th to respond to offers of acceptance.

Do I have the right stuff?  The program is looking for enthusiastic, highly motivated applicants with a genuine love of scientific enquiry in the life sciences.  Evidence of these qualities are gleaned initially from the key items in the applicants file, and focus especially on a meaningful personal statement, performance in rigorous science courses,  evidence of prior research experience, and letters of reference that relate to a commitment to research or experimental capabilities.  Applicants should have undergraduate training in the life sciences, including chemistry and biology, but students with strong backgrounds in other relevant areas are encouraged to apply.

So far, so good - What are the finer details and requirements of my application?

  1. Take the GRE exam, and if you are an international applicant whose primary language is not English, the TOEFL exam. An official copy of performance on the Graduate Record Examination general test is required.  Subject tests are optional.  [The ETS school code is 4853, the department code is 0216].  A strong performance on this test carries considerable weight.  In evaluating the performance on the subject tests, allowances are made for differences in undergraduate preparation.

  2. Download, and fill out an APPLICATION FORM, construct a personal statement, and obtain other necessary supporting documents.  Return the complete package to The Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program Admissions, University of Utah, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 30 South 2000 East, Room 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820.  Submitting applications to the University of Utah Graduate or International Admissions office will delay consideration of your application.  The application fee will be waived for those applications, and only those, sent directly to the Pharmacology and Toxicology Program Admissions office.   The application form should be submitted as early as possible.  All students admitted to the program receive fellowships and tuition waivers, so a separate application for financial support is not required.

  3. Arrange for three letters of recommendation, attached to the LETTER OF REFERENCE FORM (downloadable from our website) to be sent as soon as possible directly to the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program Admissions. A listing of individuals providing references should be attached to the Personal Statement.

What should be in my personal statement?

The personal statement should be articulate and give evidence of a strong commitment to research.  Mention of specific, well-focused interests is useful, but not essential; overly vague statements may be detrimental. The statement offers the applicant a unique opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking ability.  The statement should address the applicant's motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. in the areas of Pharmacology and Toxicology, why specifically at the University of Utah, and the applicant's long-term goals.  Many successful applicants have worked in a laboratory and have obtained an experience-based commitment to a research career and this should be addressed in the statement.

What about transcripts?

An official copy of transcripts from each college or university attended is required. Limited deficiencies in basic undergraduate courses can sometimes be remedied in the first year of graduate school.  Ideally, the undergraduate record should be strong in all areas. However, evidence of ability to perform well in all science courses, particularly those stressing quantitative skills, is most important. The Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission except under exceptional circumstances.

What should letters of recommendation address?

Recommendations should address the applicant's commitment to scientific research and potential for success as a graduate student.  Letters from mentors who supervised research of the applicant are strongly encouraged.  Letters merely indicating grades obtained in courses and indicative of little personal contact are of little impact in the selection procedure.

What can I expect if I am invited for a familiarization weekend (North American residents only)?

Promising domestic applicants will generally be invited to visit the University of Utah to meet graduate students and faculty members and to learn more about the graduate program, the University, and the local environment. Travel, food, and lodging costs will be arranged and paid by the Department.  Invitees will meet with faculty during the day on Friday, and enjoy a social activity with graduates students and faculty that evening.  Saturday is spent with graduate students, often in some recreational activity centered around the  "greatest snow on earth" found in the immediate environs of the University.

I have additional questions, who should I contact?

Ms. Sheila Merrill, Executive Secretary for Graduate Studies; sheila.merrill@pharm.utah.edu,  (801) 581-6287
Dr. Michael R. Franklin, Chair, Graduate Recruitment Committee: Michael.Franklin@pharm.utah.edu       Dr. Kristen Keefe, Chair, Graduate Training Committee: K.Keefe@utah.edu

Any member of the faculty or graduate student listed on the department web page.

PROCEDURES FOR ENTRY IN 2009

Download an APPLICATION FORM, print it, fill it out, and return it (with the necessary supporting documents outlined below) to:

  Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program Admissions

  University of Utah

  Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

  30 South 2000 East, Room 201

  Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820

NOTE: The application fee will be waived ONLY for those applications sent directly to the Pharmacology and Toxicology Program Admissions office.
Documents Required for a Completed Application:

  1. Application Form:
    This form alone often enables us to identify the most promising applicants, and should be submitted as early as possible. All students admitted to the program receive scholarships and tuition waivers, so a separate application for financial support is not required.

  2. Personal Statement:
    Two pages is generally sufficient (see below for suggested content).

  3. Official Transcripts:
    One official copy of transcripts from each college or university attended.

  4. GRE Scores:
    An official copy of performance on the Graduate Record Examination. The general test is required, the subject test is optional.

  5. Letters of Recommendation:
    The LETTER OF REFERENCE FORM can be downloaded.

    Letters from at least three persons familiar with your academic performance and/or potential as a research scientist. A listing of individuals providing references should be attached to the Personal Statement

  6. Official TOEFL score: (when applicable, see below)

Application Timetable:

All applications are reviewed on the following schedule for normal entrance in the summer semester. Late applications will be considered only if positions remain unfilled after review of all applications received before the January 15th deadline.

  • December 1: Review of applications begins.

  • January 15: Application deadline.

  • January 15 -March 31 : Interview visits for applicants from North America.

Applicants are notified of an admissions decision as early as possible.

The latest decision date for acceptance of admission offers by applicants is April 15.


Under special circumstances from exceptional applicants, off-cycle applications for mid-year admissions are considered.

Criteria for Admission:

Admission decisions are based on the following factors (not listed in order of importance):

  • Educational Background:
    Applicants should have undergraduate training in the life sciences, including chemistry and biology, but students with strong backgrounds in other relevant areas are encouraged to apply. Limited deficiencies in basic undergraduate courses can be remedied in the first year of graduate school.
  • Undergraduate Performance:
    Ideally, the undergraduate record should be strong in all areas. However, evidence of ability to perform well in all science courses, particularly those stressing quantitative skills, is most important. Except under exceptional circumstances, The Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission.
  • Research Experience:
    Many successful applicants have worked in a laboratory and have obtained an experience-based commitment to a research career.
  • Recommendations:
    Strong statements of support from 3 persons in a position to evaluate the applicant's potential for success as a graduate student have significant impact on admissions decisions. Letters from mentors supervising research are strongly encouraged.
  • GRE Scores:
    A strong performance on this test carries considerable weight. In evaluating the performance on the subject test, allowances are made for differences in undergraduate preparation.
  • TOEFL Scores:
    International applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit an official TOEFL score.
  • Personal Statement:
    The personal statement should be articulate and give evidence of a strong commitment to research. Mention of specific, well-focused interests is useful, but not essential; overly vague statements may be detrimental. The statement offers the applicant a unique opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking ability. The statement should address the applicant’s motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Utah and the applicant’s long term goals.
  • Personal Interview (North American residents only):
    Promising domestic applicants will generally be invited to visit the University of Utah to meet graduate students and faculty members and to learn more about the graduate program, the University, and the local environment. Travel, food, and lodging costs will be paid by the Department.


For additional information regarding applying to the Graduate Program in Pharmacology & Toxicology, contact:

Dr. Michael R. Franklin, Chair, Graduate Recruitment Committee
mfranklin@alanine.pharm.utah.edu
(801) 581-7014

Dr. Kristen Keefe, Chair, Graduate Training Committee
K.Keefe@utah.edu
(801) 585-7989

Ms. Sheila Merrill, Administrative Assistant for Graduate Studies
sheila.merrill@pharm.utah.edu
(801) 581-6287