Irell & Manella Graduate School Admission Requirements
Program and Deadlines
City of Hope’s Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences offers a Ph.D. in biological sciences.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The Graduate Program in Biological Sciences will consider both domestic and international applications. Please note that your application is not considered complete until all steps below are completed.
The graduate school administration is available throughout the application period if an applicant has questions about our admissions process and requirements. To set up a phone or in-person appointment, please email gradschool@coh.org.
Application Procedures
Applicants should also include the following materials:
• Personal Information and Academic History
These sections should be completed online.
• Personal Statement.
Limit to 1,000 words (longer texts will not be considered)-This is your opportunity to tell the Admissions Committee about your research experience, academic background, and career goals. Please describe your current or past research, including any key results or conclusions. You may also explain why you’re interested in pursuing graduate study at City of Hope.
• Three Letter of Recommendation.
All letters must be submitted by the application deadline (December 16, 2025). Letters must be:
• Physically signed by the recommender
• Preferably submitted on institutional letterhead
• Sent from an institutional email address and in PDF format
• Transcripts.
Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are accepted for initial review. However, official transcripts must be received before matriculation. International transcripts must be converted to U.S. equivalency using the World Education Service (WES) or a similar service.
• GPA requirement.
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for application review.
This requirement is waived if you’ve earned an advanced degree higher than a bachelor’s (e.g., master’s or equivalent).
• English Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS).
If English is not your native language and you haven’t completed at least two years of education in English, you must submit either:
• TOEFL (recommended minimum: 90)
• IELTS (recommended minimum: 7)
Send scores to the Office of Graduate Education using school code 2268.
You may petition to waive this requirement if you have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited U.S. institution or can provide documentation that your college instruction was conducted in English.
• GRE Scores (Optional).
GRE scores are no longer required, but applicants may include them if they believe the scores will strengthen their application.
• Subject tests (e.g., Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology) are especially encouraged
• If submitted, GRE scores must be sent by ETS to school code 4076
• Statement of Perseverance (Optional).
You are welcome to submit a short (up to 300 words) personal essay describing any formative experiences or challenges that have shaped your academic path. This optional statement can offer helpful context for the Admissions Committee. Upload it under Writing Sample (Statement of Perseverance) in the Optional Documents section.
Where to Mail Official Transcripts and Test Scores to:
Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences
Attn: Admissions
1500 E Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010-3000
Prerequisites
- Two semesters of mathematics
- One year of general physics, including laboratory
- Two years of chemistry (general and organic), including laboratory
- One year each of general biology and biochemistry
- Significant experience in a research laboratory
- Additional recommended courses include:
- Genetics
- Cell biology
- Cell physiology
- Molecular genetics
- Developmental biology
- Neurobiology
- Physical chemistry
- Differential equations
- Advanced organic and/or physical chemistry