PhD Programs

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology attends several events throughout the year to meet with prospective students. At these events you will be able to talk with current graduate students, our graduate program coordinator, and faculty to learn earn more about the School of MCB and its departments.

We typically recruit PhD students at the following events:

  • ABRCMS (Annual Biomedical Research for Minoritized Scientists)
ASPIRE
Webinar Series

The ASPIRE Illinois Summer Webinar Series will be held weekly at 7 p.m. June 27-August 8, 2024. Sign up for the webinars.

There is no fee or cost to participate in the webinars; you can join in from anywhere. After completing the webinar signup, you will need to complete a short Zoom registration. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with all the information to join the webinar session.

Topics include:

  • June 27: So You’re Interested in Graduate School at Illinois? Let’s Navigate the ASPIRE Application!
  • July 2: Applying to Graduate School
  • July 3: Writing Personal Statements and Getting Recommendations that Work!
  • July 11: Personal Branding & Social Media
  • July 18: Funding Graduate School
  • July 25: Values-Based Career Decision Making
  • August 1: Can I Really Do This? Combatting Imposter Syndrome
  • August 8: We All Have a Story and You Can Do It! – The Recap
Become an ASPIRE Illinois candidate

To be deemed an ASPIRE Illinois candidate, you must complete your ASPIRE application by the August 9th deadline. This includes a 150-word interest statement and your unofficial transcript. This special designation and a thoughtfully and thoroughly completed application packet advance you toward receiving a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign application fee waiver, connect you with administrators and faculty in your program of interest, and, if selected, allow you to attend a special in-person fall campus visit. ASPIRE candidates who attend the Summer Webinar Series, participate in the on-campus visit, and are admitted to a qualifying* graduate program at Illinois are eligible for nomination for a prestigious Graduate College ASPIRE Fellowship. 

2024 ASPIRE Illinois campus visit 

ASPIRE Illinois candidates are invited to attend an in-person visit program in the fall to learn about our world-class and highly ranked graduate programs, tour our campus and facilities, and experience the culture and community offered to graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Graduate College at Illinois covers hotel accommodation, meals, and transportation expenses for those invited to the visit. We are excited to host the 2024 ASPIRE Illinois Campus Visit on September 29-30, 2024. Additional details can be found at https://grad.illinois.edu/diversity/aspire.

We look forward to getting to know you!

 

MCB faculty and staff talk with prospective students at a conference.

Contact us

If you have any questions about recruiting, please contact mcb-grad@illinois.edu.