Biological Sciences M.S. Application Information

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES only accepts fall applications

Complete the California State University Graduate Application online at Cal State Apply. An application fee is required at the time of application. Please note that the Application Fee Waiver is no longer available for Master's' Applications. If you are unable to pay with a credit card, a check can be mailed to the address indicated below.

Please note, once the application deadline closes it still takes time for your file to be processed. Once your file is complete it will be reviewed by the faculty review committee, which can take up to 6 weeks. The earlier your application is completed, the sooner your file will be complete.

You can track your application status by reviewing your Humboldt status by looking at your Student Services Center. About two weeks before registration, you will receive a posted letter with your Humboldt Student ID and Log-In Information.

International Students

If you are an international student applicant, please visit the Center for International Program Graduate Students page for information about how to apply. Please note that most international students must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores. However, this requirement may be waived in cases where the applicant has a prior degree from a university where English was the primary language of instruction. Scores from the TOEFL test and the other material indicated at the site should be submitted to:

International Student Admissions 
Cal Poly Humboldt
1 Harpst St. 
Arcata, CA 95521-8299 
USA

Application instructions for prospective graduate students:

PLEASE NOTE: The Master of Science Biology Graduate Program admits new graduate students during the Fall semester only.

Priority application period will open October 1 and close on February 1

Completed applications, with all materials received in the Graduate Admissions Office by February 1st, will get priority consideration by the graduate program. You can now file your FAFSA beginning October 1st too!  Applications for which required materials arrive at the Admissions Office after February 1 will subsequently be considered in the order received. All required application materials must be submitted directly through the CAL STATE APPLY program.

**NEW FAFSA FILING DATE** You must file a FAFSA (Opens on OCTOBER 1st each year, with a deadline of March 2nd - DO NOT WAIT to file!) to be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistant Fee Waiver, however, fee waivers are contingent upon funding.

**IMPORTANT** Establishing California Residency - Once admitted, It is important to review the residency requirements now if you intend to establish California residency for tuition purposes at Cal Poly Humboldt.  There are important criteria that must be established at least one year prior to the residency determination dates.  For Cal Poly Humboldt, these dates are:  Fall Semester, September 20; Spring Semester, January 25. Living in California for 12 months is not an automatic qualification for in-state tuition! If you have questions about residency, please go to http://www.humboldt.edu/admissions/apply/eligibility/residency.html

Other graduate information can be found on the Cal Poly Humboldt Graduate Programs website.

About two weeks before registration, you will receive a posted letter with your Humboldt Student ID and Log-In Information to access your Student Center. You can track your application status in your Student Services Center under the "To-Do List" tab, there you will see anything that is still needed for your application to be complete.

Step-By-Step Instructions on how to apply:

1.) Application: Complete the California State University Graduate Application online at CAL STATE APPLY. An application fee is required at the time of application. If you are unable to pay with a credit card, a check can be mailed to the address indicated below. The Institution Code for Cal Poly Humboldt: 4345

-˘ GRE General Tests Scores are not required.

Important:

You must contact at least one potential advisor before you submit your application to see if the advisor is taking on new students. Please contact them by phone, email, or (best) in person. Make sure that your Personal Statement in Cal State Apply Quadrant 4 clearly states your research interests, career goals and why you would like to work with your selected advisor. Check the Biological Sciences web site for the list of faculty and research areas. Graduate Advisors are always on the lookout for promising students, so don't be shy about making contact. You should be proactive and assertive about your strengths. Decisions about acceptance will not be made until your completed application file has been reviewed, so these conversations with potential advisors should reveal whether you are a serious candidate for consideration!

2.) THREE Letters of Recommendations - Submitted directly through the CAL STATE APPLY program.

3.) Transcripts: Students can send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions via two methods -“ paper or electronic. One official transcript is required from any college or university you have ever attended.

Paper Transcripts

Please have these official transcripts, in their original unopened envelope, sent to:
Cal Poly Humboldt
Office of Admissions
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521

Electronic Transcripts

Cal Poly Humboldt currently accepts electronic college transcripts via Credentials Solutions, Scrip-Safe, eTranscript California,  and Parchment. Please check with your college registrar's office to see if they use one of these electronic services. If your school only provides transcripts through Scrip-Safe or Parchment and the drop down menu option is apply@humboldt.edu this will be considered Official.  If you have to type in an email address, this transcript request will be considered as Unofficial and will not be accepted. Third-party services outside of those listed above will not be accepted.

Cal Poly Humboldt Transcript Exceptions:

You do not need to request transcripts for any work completed at Humboldt. If you were enrolled at Humboldt as a regular matriculated student within the past 5 years, we will still have your file, you do not need to request transcripts for college work completed elsewhere unless you completed that college work after you left Humboldt.

A detailed Personal Statement in Quadrant 4 MUST be included in your application in order for it to be complete.

Please specify on your detailed Personal Statement:

(a) potential research areas that are of interest to you;
(b) at least one or more faculty who should review your file;
(c) your reasons for pursuing a M.S. degree.

NOTE: You must file a FAFSA (Opens October 1st, with a deadline of March 2nd) to be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistant Fee Waiver, however, fee waivers are contingent upon funding.

• Information about financial aid, scholarships, and costs can be found here: Financial Aid
• Information for international applicants is available at: http://www.humboldt.edu/international
• If you're interested in a schedule of classes, please see the Class Schedule 
• You will find the current campus information in the college catalog
• Information about housing is at http://www.humboldt.edu/housing
• Information regarding jobs & career resources can be found at the Career Center
• If you are a non-resident of California, non-resident fees are an additional $396 per unit at this time.  If you have questions about residency, please go to http://www.humboldt.edu/admissions/apply/eligibility/residency.html