Application Process

The Office of the Associate Dean of Research (ADR) has standardized graduate policies and procedures throughout the college. This has led to a general admission procedure handled by the Graduate Admissions Secretary  cbsgrad@uoguelph.ca

This is a two-step self-administered application process:

1) First, you must complete your online application
2) Second, assemble all required documentation, listed below, and forward the complete package to:

CBS Graduate Admissions Secretary
ADR Office, Room 3479,  Science Complex
College of Biological Science
50 Stone Road East
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1

NOTE:  The name of a potential advisor, or course supervisor, is required in order to complete the online submission summary.  A non-refundable application fee is required to be paid to OUAC.  Payment options include credit card, money order or cheque.

Required Documents:

NOTE: The College of Biological Science requests that all components of your application for graduate school including transcript(s), graduate certificate(s), grading scale(s), language test, reference letters, name of faculty advisor and statement of interest be received within two months of submission through the OUAC portal. Applications that are incomplete after this time period will be closed. 

Please review the application process to ensure that you have the required documents/information prepared for your application:

  • A copy of the completed online OUAC application form.

  • A one-page statement outlining your major research interests and your objectives in undertaking graduate study.  If preferred, this may now be completed through the online application.

  • Transcripts - One official transcript of each previous undergraduate and graduate degree provided in a sealed envelope from the institution. Transcripts must include the date the degree was conferred.
    (For International applicants, notarized English translation
    of foreign transcripts must be provided, along with a graduate
    certificate. Transcripts should include a grading scale,
    grades obtained and courses taken.)     

  • Letters of Recommendation - Assessment forms, available from the on-line application, should be completed by two or three individuals who can provide comments on the applicant and evaluate the applicant's academic performance and abilities in comparison to his/her peers.

    NOTE:  Assessment forms must be obtained from referees in sealed envelopes with their signature across the back of the envelope.  Academic references are preferred, but former employers are also acceptable referees. These are confidential documents and MUST NOT be opened.

Language Requirements:

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to
submit an English Language Certification from one of the following:

Lanugage Test:
 Minimum
Overall Score
Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL)
60
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
6.5
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
85
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A)
Note: A minimum score of 60 must be achieved in each individual component.
60
Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL - Paper based test (PBT))
550
Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL Internet-based test (IBT))
Note: A minimum score of 21 must be achieved in each of the four categories (listening, speaking, reading, writing).
89
University of Guelph English Language Certificate
Advanced Level

 

Please instruct the testing agency to forward the official test results or certificate directly to the CBS Graduate Admissions Secretary.  If available, you may submit a photocopy of the test results for preliminary consideration.

PLEASE NOTE:  The College of Biological Science DOES NOT grant conditional admission based upon the completion of an ESL program or language test.  A passing, standardized language test or certificate, as outlined above, MUST be submitted along with the application in order to be considered for admission.

Completed Applications:

Once a complete application is received and deemed academically acceptable, the application is forwarded on to the program Graduate Committee for their recommendation. If recommended, the application is given to the potential advisor for his or her decision, or for the HHNS program, circulated amongst faculty to identify a potential advisor.

This process takes approximately 6 weeks and therefore we recommend that you submit your application at least 2 months prior to the desired entry semester.  Applicants who are applying from outside Canada should
apply at least 6–9 months in advance to allow for submission of application material and application processing.

For further information, contact the CBS Graduate Admissions Secretary at cbsgrad@uoguelph. ca