Graduate Program in Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine

Application Information

  • Download the application form below and complete it electronically (please do not handwrite the application).
  • Submit the application with copies of the required supporting documents by email to:
    gradprogram@csmc.edu
    or by mail to:
    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Graduate Program in
    Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine
    8700 Beverly Boulevard
    Davis Building, Suite 5069
    Los Angeles, CA 90048
    USA
  • Applications must be received no later than January 15, 2009. For consideration of an exception to this deadline please contact Emma Yates Casler at emma.yatescasler@cshs.org or (310) 423-8294.
  • After receipt of your completed application, a preliminary review will be conducted by our Admission Committee. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview weekend; participation in this event is required for consideration of admission to the graduate program. The interview consists of meetings with faculty and students, and includes an opportunity to visit our medical center, research facilities, and surrounding community. Based on the results of the personal interview, the Admissions Committee will make decisions within 10 days of applicant visits. As ethnic, gender and cultural diversity are both a strength and a priority at Cedars Sinai, we solicit and encourage applicants who will strengthen our diversity.
  • Cedars-Sinai Graduate Program has applied for Eligibility from the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. WASC has reviewed the application and determined that Cedars-Sinai is eligible to proceed with an application for Candidacy for Accreditation. A determination of Eligibility is not a formal status with the Accrediting Commission, not does it ensure eventual accreditation; it is a preliminary finding that the institution is potentially accreditable and can proceed within three years of its Eligibility determination to be reviewed for candidacy status with the Accrediting Commission. Questions about Eligibility may be directed to the institution of to WASC at www.wascsenior.org/wasc or at 510-748-9001.

Admission Requirements

  • Completed Application
  • Statement of Purpose – 3 double-spaced pages maximum, detailing his/her reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study in Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine. The statement of purpose is carefully considered in the selection process and is very important, please be as concise and specific as you can.
  • Letters of Recommendation – Three (3) letters must be submitted from persons who have supervised the applicant’s research and/or academic work. Letters must be accompanied by the Recommendation Form which can be downloaded from the website. Letters must be sent directly to Graduate Office.
  • GRE Scores (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical) – Official GRE General Test scores are required. These must be sent directly from ETS to CSMC Graduate office (GRE Institution code 5739).
  • Degree - Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) in a Biomedical discipline or science-related field, MCAT acceptable.
  • Official Transcripts sent directly to Graduate Office.
  • TOEFL Scores – For students whose first language is not English, official TOEFL scores are required. These must be sent directly from ETS to CSMS Graduate Office (GRE Institution code 5739).

Application Materials

Applications from Candidates with MD or Equivalent Degrees

The program does not have a special MD track, since the goal of educating scientists of such caliber is independent of prior training. However, consideration is given for course-work completed during training of such degrees so that the duration of the graduate training may be shorter in appropriate cases.

  1. Prospective students who hold an MD or equivalent degree from an accredited institution can be admitted to the program. The principles for such admission are that they receive the same core curriculum as the regular track with the exception that advance credits for medical school courses in Biomedical sciences may be given (up to 18 credits) after an evaluation of prior coursework by the curriculum committee and (ii) that they complete their thesis research in the same time period (goal of 3 years.)
  2. During the first year 3 laboratory rotations of 2 months each are required. Because there could be less required coursework in biomedical sciences, this shortened laboratory rotation time is expected to achieve the same exposure as that achieved by regular students who are engaged in the curriculum of biomedical sciences. When a student knows at the onset, which laboratory and primary mentor they are likely to elect for their thesis research, the two required rotations should be in laboratories other than this one. Should there be uncertainty; an additional rotation will be permitted.
  3. During the first year students are expected to attend and achieve credits for the “Special Topics” and “Issues in Biomedical and Translational Medicine” series which are held twice weekly in the late afternoons.