Having a degree in biology gives you a skill set that is in high demand both in the United States and internationally. Additionally, the USA has the top universities in the world that are equipped with resources and facilities to impact both practical and theoretical knowledge. Studying Biology in the USA can lead to several job opportunities in areas such as healthcare, education, and research. Furthermore, most students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine choose to obtain an undergraduate degree in Biology before entering medical school.
Studying Biology in the USA will give you a rewarding and challenging career. You will have the opportunity to explore career opportunities such as botany, environmental science, zoology wildlife biology, etc. Additionally, these opportunities will come with high earning potential. However, you must have the right qualifications before you study Biology in the USA. Therefore, you need to make sure that your credentials correspond to the school’s admission requirements.
In this piece, I will walk you through the requirements that are needed for studying Biology in the USA.
Requirements for Studying Biology in the USA
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Complete your Secondary Education
You must complete your secondary education to your 12th grade before you can study Biology at the University. This is an important requirement for studying Biology in the United States. Additionally, you must have a minimum of credits in your certificate. You must have subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and English Language.
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Write the Standardized Tests
Some Universities in the United States might require you to write tests such as SAT(Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT(American College Testing). Each university has a particular score that an applicant is supposed to meet. Therefore, you should verify from your university of choice. You need to know the university’s required score before applying.
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English Proficiency
International students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Test. You can take tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum test for IELTS is 7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.
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Meet the Academic Requirements
You must meet the minimum requirements for the University you are applying to. Each University might have specific requirements that they expect from each applicant. Therefore, you should verify the requirements before submitting your application.
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Letters of Recommendation
You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letter. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.
Requirements to Obtain a Masters Degree in Biology in the USA
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Have a Bachelor’s Degree
If you are applying for a postgraduate degree, you need a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to Biology. You can have a degree in disciplines such as calculus, organic chemistry, general biochemistry, etc. Additionally, you should have a minimum of second-class upper honours.
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Submit Academic Transcripts
You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades. Additionally, your transcript must be submitted in the English Language.
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English Proficiency
International students need to take an English Language Proficiency Test. You can take tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum test for IELTS is 7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.
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Graduate Recommendation Test(GRE)
Some Universities in the USA will require you to write a GRE. Therefore, You need to write the GRE tests to gain admission. Additionally, each university has a minimum GRE score. Therefore, you need to verify the university’s GRE score before submitting your application.
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Letters of Recommendation
You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letter. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, you should not use a recommendation letter from a friend or family.
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Personal Statement
You have to write a personal statement or essay stating why you wish to study Biology in the United States. This is important for a postgraduate degree. This personal statement is a crucial requirement for admission. Additionally, you should also discuss your career goals and how your academic and personal background has prepared you to study Biology.
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Submit your CV
If you are applying for a postgraduate course in Biology, you need to submit a CV. This CV should contain your area of interest as well as your achievements. Additionally, it should contain your work experiences.
How to Apply
You can apply to study biology by applying through the school’s website. However, postgraduate applicants may be required to pay an application fee by some universities. The application fee ranges from 35 USD to 100 USD. The pricing may be different at a later time, kindly check the website for updated information
Duration
The duration for studying Biology in the United States varies depending on the type of degree you are studying. The Undergraduate degree lasts for four years. However, the postgraduate degree lasts for about 1-2 years.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for studying Biology in the United States is from $19,000 to $60,000 per year. However, this may vary depending on the university and the type of degree. Additionally, International students pay higher tuition fees.
Universities in the USA that Offer Biology
- Harvard University
- University of California San Diego
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- University of California Berkeley
- University of California San Francisco
- Cornell University
- University of California Davis
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
- University of Michigan
- Washington University
- University of Chicago
- New York University
- Duke University
- California Institute of Technology
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Princeton University
- University of Wisconsin Madison
- Northwestern University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Baylor College of Medicine
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Rockefeller University
- University of Southern California
- Ohio State University
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Boston University
- Emory University
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Florida
- Pennsylvania State University
- Michigan State University
In Conclusion, Studying Biology in the USA is a rewarding venture that can give you access to various opportunities and career paths. As a result, this course requires you to have the complete qualifications before you can gain admission. Therefore, you need to verify the basic academic requirements of each school before you make your application. Additionally, you should make sure that you make your applications early before the deadline. You can reach out to us for any further inquiries or assistance.
Good luck!