STUDENT PROFILE

Who is admitted?
The PSPG Graduate Program is committed to admitting students who have diverse cultural, economic, and social backgrounds. Although grade point average and GRE test scores are important factors, these are not the sole reason for acceptance. In addition to intellectual and academic competence, the program's admissions committee considers communication skills, leadership ability, and research experience. Research experience while an undergraduate is highly valued by the admissions committee. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated interest in research via undergraduate research experience, and who have applied for extramural fellowships.
Prerequisites for admission
Extramural fellowships, scholarships and grants
Information for International Applicants

What is the minimum GPA for admission?
Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for admission to graduate school at UCSF. In 2007, the average GPA of accepted students was 3.7.

What is the minimum GRE for admission?
There is no minimum GRE test score required for admission to the PSPG program, as GRE scores, while important, are not the sole criteria for admission. We evaluate each applicant on a case-by-case basis. In 2007, the average GRE scores of accepted students were Verbal-587, Quantitative-720 and Analytical-4.86.

How many students are admitted each year?
The number of students admitted each year varies depending on the quality of the applicants and the financial resources available to the program. Over the past two years, average class size has been 10-12 students.

Where do students go after graduation?
Analysis of alumni who have graduated within the past ten years shows that:
45% in pharmaceutical industry positions 
19% in academic faculty positions
12% in academic postdoctoral positions
10% in industry postdoctoral positions
  5% in government postdoctoral positions
  1% continuing medical training