Admissions Process
A complete application for the PhD Program in Clinical and Translational Science includes the following:
- A completed online application.
- A personal statement (1 page maximum) that provides a detailed description of your research interests; your relevant experience in research; your knowledge base of medicine, health care, and the health care delivery system; and your beliefs about how the program of study will help you enhance your ability to achieve your career goals and conduct independent investigator-initiated research in your area of interest.
- A brief description of your previous research experience (2 pages maximum), including information about your undergraduate and graduate research projects, your research supervisors in each project, the technical and methodological skills that you acquired, and the hypotheses that you examined in the research.
- Official transcripts of courses from each college or university you attended. You need to request that your previous educational institutions provide official documents (as defined below) for each year of university-level study that you completed. The documents must be submitted to the Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE) by traditional mail.
- Official documents are defined as original academic records that are issued by the institution attended and bear the seal of the issuing institution and the original signature of the registrar or appropriate official. Some institutions outside the United States issue only one set of records. If this is the case, the records can be photocopied, but the photocopy must be signed and certified as official either by the school authorities or by legal authorities. Do not send the original of any academic document that cannot be replaced (e.g., grade transcripts, diplomas, or certificates of graduation). Instead, send a certified photocopy of the original document. If your university or college issues the academic documents in a language other than English, you must submit the certified copy of the original documents in the original language. In addition, you must submit a certified English translation of the original documents. Do not submit a translation only. All translations must be complete and literal translations of the original records.
- At least three letters of recommendation:
- One letter from your department chair or division chief.
- Two letters from faculty members who have supervised your earlier research or can attest to your academic credentials and potential as an independent investigator.
- One optional letter from a University of Pittsburgh mentor if a mentor has been identified.
- Scores from your most recent Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
- If you are a citizen of a country in which English is not the official language or if you are a citizen of the province of Quebec in Canada, you are required to show evidence of English language proficiency by submitting the official results from one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Students taking a version of the TOEFL must score a minimum of 600 on the TOEFL pBT or a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL iBT.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Students taking the IELTS must score a minimum of 7.00.
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG): Students must submit scores from both the USMLE and ECFMG.
Exceptions: If you have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the United States, you are exempt from submitting English language proficiency test results.
- If you are an international student who currently holds a visa, you must submit the International Graduate Student Application Form from the Office of International Services.
The most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview. Applications received after the deadline may be considered on a space-available basis.
For answers to questions or for additional information, please contact us directly.
PhD Program in Clinical and Translational Science
University of Pittsburgh
Institute for Clinical Research Education
200 Meyran Avenue, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-586-9632
Fax: 412-586-9672
E-mail: ctsphd@pitt.edu
