Future students: Graduate admissions FAQs

• After filling out the online application, may I submit my supporting documents on paper through the mail?

  We strongly recommend that you submit your unofficial transcripts, statement of interest, three recommendation letters and TOEFL score reports online if possible.

  Submitting your materials online allows us to view your documents much more quickly than if submitted on paper. You do not need to send paper copies of your statement of interest, résumé/C.V. or related supporting materials if you have submitted them online.

  If your recommenders do not wish to use the online recommendation letter submission system, they may send their letters on paper to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

• Are GRE's required?

  No.

• Can you tell me whether my application is complete?

  Visit Graduate Admissions to review your application status. We consider an application to be complete when we have received a response to the chemistry departmental questions on the application, all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of interest and TOEFL scores if applicable.

• Do you require the WES evaluation for review of my application?

  No. Please upload your official or unofficial transcripts to the application. If you are accepted, the chemistry department will contact you to have you initiate the transcript evaluation. Please note that we do NOT require the evaluation in order to review your application and make a decision. You can wait until after your admission to initiate the evaluation.

• How should I apply?

  An online application is required. The admissions committee begins reviewing PhD applications December 1st for admission the following August.

  Apply for graduate admission

• I would like to apply for the M.S. program, how do I proceed?

  We do not offer a master of science (M.S.) program.

• If I have more questions, who can I contact?

  The graduate academic services officer is Jackie Kennedy, chemgrad@wayne.edu.

• Is there an application fee?

  Master and Ph.D. application fees will be waived for the 2024 winter, spring/summer and fall semesters.

• May I apply for winter/summer admission to the grad program?

  PhD admission is only made for the fall semester, which begins in August. MA admission offer fall, winter, and spring/summer admission.

   

• May I submit copies of my TOEFL/GRE for consideration?

  You may submit unofficial copies of TOEFL or other English Language exams for evaluation purposes but official copies are required before students can enroll at the University. In addition, your statement of interest, transcripts, and TOEFL scores can be uploaded when you fill out the online application. We strongly recommend you attach whatever documents you have access to at that time. The Chemistry department does not use the GRE in consideration of your application. It is not recommended or required.

   

• My transcripts are not in English, is that okay?

  No. The department needs to be able to review your transcripts to be able to make a decision on your application. Unofficial copies of your transcripts in English should be uploaded to your application. If you are selected for admission, we will contact you regarding an official transcript evaluation.

• Should I also send the materials to the chemistry department?

  No, the chemistry department will be able to view the application materials uploaded to the application or sent to Office of Graduate Admissions. We will review and make decisions on applications. Official notification of admission status comes from the graduate admissions office.

• What are the minimum TOEFL scores?

  Successful applicants typically present iBT composite scores equal or better than 90 with all subsection scores equal to or better than 20. If you took the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 overall band score is required. The university also accepts the Duolingo, MET and PTE exams.

• What information should I include in my statement of interest?

  Please submit a statement of interest describing the following points in no more than two pages:

  • Describe why you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry and your long-term career goals.
  • Describe any previous research experiences you have had.
• When is the application deadline, and when do I need to submit all the materials?

  For Ph.D. applicants, we recommend that international students have all materials submitted to Graduate Admissions by Dec. 1 to have the best chance of admission and support. Your application should be completed online.

  Transcripts, letters of recommendation and supporting documentation should be uploaded to the online application or sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applications received after December will be reviewed until all available positions have been filled.

  Master of Arts applicants are recommended to have their application completed at least one month before the start of the semester for which they are applying. 

• When will I know if I have been accepted?

  The Department of Chemistry reviews completed applications on a rolling basis. When an applicant undergoes the first review, they are admitted, placed on hold for further review, or denied. When an applicant is admitted or denied they will receive notification by email from the department. All students receive notification on the final decision sometime between January and May.

• Where do I send the requested materials?

  Office of Graduate Admissions
  Wayne State University
  5057 Woodward, Suite 6000
  Detroit MI 48202

  313-577-4723
  Fax: 313-577-0131
  gradadmissions@wayne.edu

• Will I be considered for financial support?

  All students admitted to the Ph.D. program receive generous support in teaching or research assistantships. Note: You do not need to submit financial support documents with your application. If accepted, your letter of offer for assistantship will serve as proof of financial support.