1. What are my chances of getting into the Botany Department at Wisconsin?
Statistically, the question is easy to handle: We receive about 100 applications each year and accept about 5 to 9 new students. The problem with numbers, however, is that they do not deal with individual people, which we try very hard to do. In approximate order of importance (i.e., most important first), the factors that seem to influence admissions decisions for individuals the most are (1) the academic record and capabilities of the student, as assessed by courses taken, where taken, grades received, GRE scores, and comments by referees; (2) the ability of the student to articulate a specific area of research interest; (3) the availability of space in the section of the department appropriate to that interest; and (4) evidence of experience at or proclivity toward research. This department is committed to providing opportunities for qualified minorities students and will give every consideration to such applicants. We consider it very important for an applicant to communicate with the prospective faculty members before applying. Doing this can help you gauge whether this department and faculty are a good match for you.
2. What sort of grades or GRE scores do you require?
We do not have rigid requirements or specific cut-offs, but in general we look for a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and GRE scores above the 70th percentile. We tend to weigh the quantitative, verbal and analytical GRE scores more heavily than the biology subject test. Fellowship applicants really need a GPA of 3.8 or above and GRE scores in the 90+ percentile, while teaching assistantship appointees need an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, as required by university regulation. Admission to graduate study in the Botany Dept., and provision for financial support (in the form of fellowships, research or teaching assistantships) are very competitive. The subject GRE test (in Biology or Cell and Molecular Biology), while not required, is highly recommended for students who wish to increase their chances of admission and receiving financial support. The Botany Dept. will use the subject test score, when available, as a criterion when making nominations for university fellowships and in awarding teaching assistantships. GRE Codes are: Institution 1846, Department 0205.
3. What factors make it necessary to restrict your admissions to only 5-9 students per year?
Two main factors: Money and Space! Money, because we try to admit only such students as we can arrange to support, whether as teaching assistants, research assistants, project assistants, fellows, or trainees. (Applicants for whom financial assistance is not necessary should clearly indicate that, since it is a factor about which we need to be aware). Space, because graduate students require office and research space of which only finite amounts are available. Because such space is essentially the "Property" of the various sections within the department, it becomes important to know where your interests lie.
4. Does that mean that I am expected to specify an area of interest with Botany at the time I apply for Admission?
Yes, if at all possible. Admissions decisions are to some extent linked to the available space within the several sections of the department; we also depend in part upon staff members in the area of specified interest for the evaluation pf prospective students. The sections from which you should choose are: ecology, physiology, cell and molecular biology, taxonomy, evolution, anatomy, morphology, phycology and mycology. If you are genuinely unable to identify an area of interest, be honest about it, but it remains true that such applications are not as easy for us to evaluate.
5. Do you require incoming bachelor degree students to complete a master's degree before obtaining a PhD?
No. Certain professors may require an incoming student to obtain a master's before going on to the PhD, but, in general, the department does not. Please do not check the the MS box if your goal is a PhD in the department. Only students admitted to a PhD program can be nominated for university fellowships.
6. What about financial support? Most of our graduate students receive some sort of financial
assistance. Rates for the 2004-05 academic for all financial assistance provides for remission of tuition. Students given assistantships must still pay segregated fees. For a student carrying 8 or more credits in 2004-05, the amount was $306.00.
The Graduate school pays segregated fees for University Fellows. The most common
source of financial assistance is a teaching assistantship. The 2004-05 academic
year at half-time (20 hours per week for 9 months) is $11,263 or $14,100, depending on level of experience, training and dissertator or not status.
Stipend rates for teaching and project assistants are governed by the TAA
bargaining unit. Other sources of financial assistance include research
assistantships (offered by individual faculty members), usually covered by
research grants. For 2004-05 these carry a stipend of $17,772 on a 12-month
basis at one-half time. Highly qualified applicants (usually only a few each
year) are nominated for University Fellowships. In our continuing effort to
attract the best students, the Graduate School has designed a unique fellowship
program whose total non-taxable stipend to a recipient for 2004-05 was $17,772 over 12-months. An assistantship or fellowship of one-third time or more qualifies the student for health insurance benefits at little or no cost to the student. The University contributes up to $6,400 for health insurance benefits,
depending on the program selected and the number of persons insured. A full program of graduate work is normally carried by a student holding any of these appointments. All qualified students who are US citizens, nationals or permanent resident aliens of the US are urged to apply to the National Science Foundation for their pre-doctoral fellowship competition (apply directly
to NSF; closing date is usually in early November. Please check http:// www.nsf.gov for the exact application deadline date).
7. When should I have my application in? All on-line applications (i.e. to be considered for departmental assistantships) are due by January 2nd
(however, applications may be reviewed until April 15th). Make sure that all supporting
documentation (GRE's, reference letters and transcripts) reach us by the Jan. date. All applications are due by
January 2nd to be considered for Fall 2005 admission. NOTE: We strongly encourage you to send us all the required documents in one packet
to the department. Beginning in September 2005 the letters of
recommendation will be online. Also, by doing it in this fashion, you will know that your application file is complete. 8. When can I expect to hear from you concerning my application? You will receive an initial acknowledgement when you first apply, then will probably hear nothing for a while.
Fellowship decisions are made in early February, assistantship offers in March, and all other admissions decisions are
completed by mid-April. In any case, we try to inform you of the deposition of your application as soon as possible. 9. Is there anything I can do to aid my cause? Yes, several things in fact. First make sure your application is in early and that all supporting materials are sent
promptly, if not all in one packet. Then in the essay that accompanies your application, be as specific as you can be in
identifying your particular interests within botany. Reference to specific sections of the department or to specific staff
members is especially helpful. Avoid long, rambling or florid prose that might sound lovely but says little; we are not
running a writing competition -- we just want to know as matter-of-factly as possible who you are, what your degree
goals are, what you are interested in, and why, specifically, you want to pursue that interest in Madison. Make it clear
that you understand the research orientation of an advanced degree and indicate any research experience you have had
or any evidence that suggests such an inclination. Finally, direct contact with individual professors is probably the
single most useful way of advancing your cause, and will at the same time give you quick feedback as to admission
possibilities in that particular area. 10. Is it worthwhile to actually visit Madison? A personal visit is obviously not necessary and does not influence admission decisions directly, but it is an excellent
way to facilitate department assessment of your candidacy and at the same time allows you an opportunity to look
firsthand at the place where you are considering committing four or more years of your life. We will try to arrange for
you to meet staff members from the appropriate section(s) of the department and to see that your questions get answered. Persons who are admitted will be invited to visit the department with a portion of travel costs reimbursed. 11. What sorts of jobs are your Ph.D.'s getting, and how does it look for the future? Wisconsin Ph.D.'s have fared well in the past in obtaining professional positions, and continue to find jobs. However,
tenure-track positions are becoming increasingly scarce and are likely to be even more scarce in the future due to
decreasing undergraduate enrollments. On the other hand, industrial positions in the plant sciences, particularly in the
areas of molecular biology and genetic engineering, are increasing in number. Prospective graduate students should be
aware of these trends since they may affect prospects for employment, even for Wisconsin graduates. 12. What should I do if I still have questions about my application and/or graduate admission to Botany at
Wisconsin? Get in touch with Suzanne Bader, Graduate Program
Coordinator, by letter (Dept. of Botany, 430 Lincoln Drive-Rm 139, Madison, WI
53706-1381), phone (608) 262-0476 Monday - Friday, from 9 AM -5:30 PM CST or E-Mail
(botgrad@ls.wisc.edu). All inquiries will be answered as promptly as possible.
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