Recruitment & Interview Timelines

  • I submitted my completed application on December 1st. When can I expect to hear back?
  • Application reviews will take place during December and the first two weeks in January. Invitations for recruitment events will be sent to successful applicants by the third week in January.
  • What does the recruitment process look like?
  • Finalist applicants will be paired with a faculty mentor and student host during their visit to UC Davis. Our in-person recruitment events take place over two days. These days will consist of an overview of the program, introductions to faculty, staff, and students, laboratory and facility tours, interviews, and faculty and student socials/dinner. After the recruitment events have concluded, applicants who are recommended for admission should expect to hear from the program by the end of March.
  • When will I know if I've been invited for an interview?
  • We generally spend the month of December evaluating applications; the members of our admission committee work hard to read each and every application with the care it deserves, which takes time. 

    It is our intention to notify you as soon as possible if you have been asked to visit the campus and interview with our faculty. Invitations for in-person recruitment events are typically emailed in January.

    Inquiries asking when we will have news of our admission decision to you will not be answered. 

    If we are certain that we do not intend to invite you for an interview, we will strive to let you know as soon as possible. We recommend regularly checking your application portal, as this will have the most up-to-date information regarding admission decisions.
  • I was not invited to interview and am seeking feedback on my application.
  • Unfortunately, we do not have the administrative bandwidth to accommodate requests of this nature. We receive as many as 60 applications in a given year, and generally do not invite more than 8 applicants to interview. While we receive applications from extraordinarily brilliant scientists, financial constraints limit our capacity to take in large cohorts of students. 

    Emails to the Graduate Program Coordinator or Admissions Chair asking about the the program's denial of your application will not be answered. 

    If you are seeking to improve your prospects for future applications, you are strongly encouraged to utilize your networks of professional support. If you are still interested in the program, we encourage you to reapply in the future; many of our current students were offered admission into the program on the basis of their second application.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

  • When can I start filling out my application for the program?
  • The application will open in October 2025. You can initiate your application here.
  • Will late applications be accepted?
  • No, all applications are due by 11:59 PM (PST) on December 1st.
  • What if my GPA doesn't meet the 3.0 requirement?
  • Please still consider applying! Our Admission Committee reviews each application holistically, meaning GPA is just one aspect of the review. Be sure to explain the reason for the low GPA in your personal history statement, and focus on highlighting your strengths in the other components of the application.
  • Do I need to secure a faculty mentor before applying?
  • No, but we highly recommend that you reach out to faculty of interest before submitting your application to get a better sense of lab availability, current research projects, and funding expectations.
  • What if I don't have all of the pre-requisite courses completed prior to applying?
  • That's okay! It is common that applicants are missing a course or two when they join the program. If recommended for admission, our Course Guidance Committee and Academic Advising Team will work with you to determine any courses that you may need to complete. If there is a chance that you can complete coursework either at your current home institution or a community college, we highly recommend you meet with an academic advisor at your current institution to discuss this option.
  • Where do I go if I have questions about the language proficiency requirements?
  • For more information about English Language Proficiency guidelines and waivers, please visit the Graduate Studies Website here.
  • The WHED website lists my institution as being taught in multiple languages (or doesn't list languages), but I have supplemental documentation (not a language proficiency test) supporting my English language proficiency. Am I eligible for a waiver?
  • The English language waiver requirement is that the institution must teach in English only. As mentioned in Graduate Studies guidelines, if English is not the sole language of instruction listed (or if no language is listed at all), or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, the waiver will not be approved. No other documentation (e.g. letters, language certificates, school websites) will be reviewed or accepted. If your institution does not meet these requirements, you will need to submit an English language exam if you would like your application to be considered for admission to our program.
  • What should I focus on when completing my application?
  • When reviewing applications, our Admission Committee focuses on the following areas: Academic Preparedness, Relevant Experience, Letters of Support and Statements of Purpose, and Alignment with Program. Each application is reviewed holistically with these core values in mind. We encourage you to approach your application as if you are a curating a story about who you are as a scientist and why you feel this program is the best fit for you!
  • Can I update my application after the deadline?
  • No. Once the application deadline has passed and you application is submitted, you are not able to make revisions to the information that you provided. 
     

Degrees Offered

  • I have my Bachelor's Degree but haven't completed a Master's Degree, Can I still apply for the PhD?
  • Yes, Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree holders are both eligible to apply for our PhD program.
  • Can I apply to the MS in Animal Behavior?
  • No, students can not apply for admission to the MS in Animal Behavior
  • What if I start a PhD and want to complete an MS?
  • Students who are no longer able to complete the PhD should first consult with their Major Professor and Graduate Academic Advisor about options.

Financial Support

  • What financial support can I expect as a graduate student?
  • Financial support can come in many different forms for ABGG affiliated graduate students. PhD students recommended for admission will receive a fellowship offer letter that outlines the financial support that the graduate group will provide. All students are able to  apply for Teaching Assistant positions and Graduate Student Researcher positions. Historically, ABGG PhD students have been able to fully support themselves through a combination of fellowships (both internal to UC Davis and external), teaching positions, and research positions. Admitted students should consult with their Faculty Mentor to discuss funding expectations and options. 

Communicating with ABGG

  • Do I need to contact a faculty member prior to applying?
  • Contacting faculty member prior to applying to the program is not required, but highly recommended.
  • I have general questions about the application and/or program. Who do I speak to?
  • We encourage you to reach out to students in the program, particularly those who are in the labs you're most interested in, to get their perspective on the student life. You are also encouraged to ask UC Davis Graduate Studies' admissions team any questions you may have about the admissions process. 

    Requests to meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator cannot be accommodated.