Graduate Admission

Minimum qualifications needed for application to the Chemistry Graduate Program:

1. GPA > 3.0/4.0 (US scale) You may use the WES iGPA Calculator or the Scholaro GPA Calculator if your school is on a different scale.
2. GRE scores are required (for those with an international education only). We look for a score > 50^th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE. 
3. Minimum TOEFL score of 79/IELTS 6.5 or an equivalent language proficiency test accepted by Graduate Admissions (required only for applicants from countries where English is not the official language. See if your country is on this list). 

Minimum courses required for admission to our program:

• 3 semesters of calculus through multivariable calculus.
• 1 semester of physics through Newtonian mechanics.
• 2 semesters of general chemistry with labs.
• 2 semesters of organic chemistry including labs.
• 1 semester of analytical (quantitative) chemistry and lab.
• 2 semesters of physical chemistry with labs covering thermodynamics, kinetics and quantum mechanics
• 1 semester of inorganic chemistry.

Other courses which will strengthen your pre-application:

• 1 semester of instrumental analysis.
• 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry.
• 2 semesters of physics.
• 1 semester of biochemistry.

Application Process

Application to the Chemistry Graduate Program is free of charge with an application fee waiver.
The process involves two steps: 1) Pre-Screening Application, 2) Formal Application.

Relevant Dates

I. Pre-Screening Application

Applicant sends an email to the Department of Chemistry (chemoff@uidaho.edu) with the following attached:

1. Pre-Screening and Application Fee Waiver Form (PDF)
2. GPA > 3.0/4.0 (US scale) You may use the WES iGPA Calculator or the Scholaro GPA Calculator if your school is on a different scale. Multiple GPAs are to be formatted as BS X.XX/MS X.XX. 
3. GRE exam scores are required (for those with an international education only). Enter scores in the specified section of the pre-screening application form. We look for a score > 50^th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE. We will not waive this requirement, so do not ask.
4. All higher education academic transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient)
   Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by a translation.
5. Merge application and transcripts into 1 pdf document. You can find programs to do this for free online.
6. Save your pdf file as Lastname, Firstname Middle initial(s)-Semester Year (Smith, John M J-Fall 2025.pdf)
7. Do not include any other documents. They will not be reviewed. This includes CVs, certificates, publications, and letters.
8. There should only be 1 attachment to your email.

II. Formal Application

Applicants selected in pre-screening are notified by email and encouraged to submit a formal admissions application to the Graduate Admissions Office. The application fee will be paid by the department for selected applicants. Applicants complete an online application form and submit supporting documents as instructed on the Graduate Admissions website. Final admissions decisions are made based on evaluation of formal applications.

Applicants who are not selected in pre-screening are also notified by email. These applicants (or those who wish to skip the pre-screening process) may still choose to submit a formal application (with fee payment) directly to Graduate Admissions. All applicants will be given equal consideration by the departmental graduate admissions committee based on their formal application.

The formal application process is detailed below:

1. Complete the formal online application
2. Submit the following documents as instructed on the Graduate Admissions website.

• All higher education transcripts and academic credentials
• Three letters of recommendation (uploaded by the recommenders into the application)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of career objectives
• GRE test scores are required (for those with an international education only). We will not waive this requirement, so do not ask.
• Additional preference will be given to applicants who include GRE Chemistry Subject Test results.
• TOEFL official results (or an equivalent language proficiency test accepted by Graduate Admissions; required only for applicants from countries where English is not the official language; minimum TOEFL score of 79)

More information about the formal application process is available on the Graduate Admissions website.

We look forward to reviewing your application and sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you to our Department of Chemistry as a graduate student!