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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.
ASPIRE Illinois
ASPIRE Illinois offers an opportunity for students with diverse experiences and goals, and who come from many educational, socio-cultural, geographic, and familial backgrounds to explore and consider graduate school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Toward this aim, we provide preapplication supports and host a campus visit.
The School of MCB routinely hosts ASPIRE Illinois campus visitors giving students the opportunity to meet with program faculty, administrators, and current students.
Webinar Series
The ASPIRE Illinois Summer Webinar Series will be held weekly at 7 p.m. June 26-August 7, 2025.
Sign up for the webinars. There is no fee or cost to participate in the webinars; you can join in from anywhere.
Topics in the webinar series include navigating the ASPIRE application; applying to graduate school; writing personal statements and asking for recommendations; personal branding and social media; additional funding opportunities in graduate school; mentorship; and a recap of the summer series.
ASPIRE Preapplication and Visit Program
To be considered an ASPIRE Illinois candidate, you must complete your ASPIRE application by the Friday, August 8 deadline.
To learn more about applying for the program, it is suggested that you review the webinar recording titled, “So You’re Interested in Graduate School at Illinois? Let’s Navigate the ASPIRE Application! under “View Past Recordings Here.”
2025 ASPIRE Campus Visit
The ASPIRE Illinois campus visit program offers an opportunity for students with a wide range of experiences and goals to consider graduate school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Participants will meet with faculty in their research area of interest, interact with current graduate students, tour campus facilities, and learn about the resources offered through the Graduate College.
There is no registration fee or cost to participate in the campus visit. Applicants must be at least a rising senior or have already graduated from a bachelor’s program and must be either United States citizens, permanent residents, or approved domestic applicants.
This year, the campus visit will take place on September 18-19, 2025.
The ASPIRE Illinois Application is now open and will close on Friday, August 8, 2025.
2026 MCB Graduate Recruitment Interview Weekend
The MCB Graduate Recruitment Interview weekend will be on Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1.
PhD candidates located in the United States will be notified in late December if they are invited to visit and interview on campus. Those invited to the interview will arrive throughout the day/evening on Friday. On Saturday, candidates will interview with program committee members and faculty of interest before heading off to lunch with current graduate students and having the opportunity to tour campus and the area. The interview weekend will conclude on Saturday evening with a dinner and poster session hosted by School faculty. Candiates are free to depart anytime on Sunday that fits their travel schedule.
Please note that the MCB PhD program will pay for travel expenses such as air/train/bus-fare and gas mileage may be reimbursed by request. MCB has also reserved a room block at a local hotel and accommodations will be paid for by the program, but rooming will be based on double occupancy.
Additional information about the recruitment weekend will be sent via email to qualifying candidates.
Applicants the committee wishes to interview, but are unable to make it due to being outside the U.S. will be offered a virtual interview.
Contact us
If you have any questions about recruiting, please contact mcb-grad@illinois.edu.