Studying bioinformatics in the USA can bring a great career opportunity for individuals who wish to pursue a career in the health or research sector. This field is an emerging field where biological and computational disciplines emerge. Studying bioinformatics in the USA will equip you with a strong foundation in areas such as computer science, molecular biology, chemistry, programming, etc. The curriculum that is used in the USA is rich as it meets the current demand for professionals who are knowledgeable in bioinformatics computing skills.

This field of study is a highly interdisciplinary program. As a result, you need to be well grounded in the important areas to be able to thrive throughout your years of study. Therefore, the universities in the USA have certain requirements and criteria that you must meet before you can be admitted to study bioinformatics in the USA.

This piece will guide you through the qualifications and requirements that are needed for studying bioinformatics in the USA.

Requirements for Studying Bioinformatics in the USA

  1. High School Certificate

    You must have a certificate that shows that you have completed your secondary education. This is an important requirement for studying bioinformatics in the United States. Additionally, you need to have high grades in your certificate with a minimum of 3.0 GPA or 70%. You should have good grades in subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Computer Science and other science subjects.

  2. Write the Standardized Tests

    You need to write the standardized tests. You can 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.

  3. English Proficiency

    International students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Test. 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.

  4. 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 biological science field, technology-related, engineering or medical field. Additionally, you should have a minimum of second-class upper honours.

  5. 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.

  6. Graduate Recommendation Test(GRE)

    You need to write the GRE tests to gain admission. However, this is needed if you are applying for a postgraduate course. Additionally, you need to make sure that your GRE scores meet the requirements for each school.

  7. 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.

  8. Personal Statement

    You have to write a personal statement or essay stating why you wish to study bioinformatics in the United States. This is important whether you are studying for an undergraduate or 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 bioinformatics.

  9. Resume/CV

    If you are applying for a postgraduate course in bioinformatics, 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 bioinformatics by applying through the school’s website. However, if you are applying for a postgraduate degree, you need to pay an application fee. The application fee ranges from 35 USD to 100 USD.

Duration

The duration of studying bioinformatics 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 bioinformatics in the United States is from $16,000 to $63,000. 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 Bioinformatics

  1. Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
  2. University of California – San Francisco, California
  3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
  4. University of Washington – Seattle, Washington
  5. University of California-San Diego, California
  6. Stanford University, California
  7. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
  8. Yale University, Connecticut
  9. University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
  10. University of California – Los Angeles, California
  11. Cornell University, New York State
  12. University of California – Berkeley, California
  13. Washington University in St Louis, Missouri
  14. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas
  15. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  16. Harvard University, Massachusetts
  17. University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wisconsin
  18. Columbia University, New York State
  19. Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
  20. University of Chicago, Illinois
  21. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Texas
  22. Ohio State University, Ohio
  23. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota
  24. University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  25. Duke University, North Carolina
  26. University of California – Davis, California
  27. Boston University, Massachusetts
  28. New York University, New York State
  29. Northwestern University, Illinois
  30. University of Southern California, California
  31. Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
  32. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York State
  33. University of Florida, Florida
  34. Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania
  35. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, Illinois
  36. Emory University, Georgia
  37. University of Utah, Utah
  38. California Institute of Technology, California
  39. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Minnesota
  40. Rockefeller University, New York State

In Conclusion, studying bioinformatics in the USA can be quite challenging. However, the rewards are numerous with vast career opportunities. The admission process can be daunting as well. Therefore, you need to make the necessary preparations to have a chance. Additionally, you should verify and make sure that your qualifications are in line with the school’s requirements before you apply. Feel free to reach out to us for further inquiries and assistance!

Good luck!

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