Biomedical Sciences Graduate Preview Weekend
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Preview Weekend
This fall term, the University of Minnesota Medical School will be hosting their annual Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs Preview Weekend, a program designed to actively recruit prospective students into PhD programs in the biomedical sciences. The medical school recognizes the importance of representation in the biomedical sciences and the benefits and successes that come from a diverse workforce.
The goal of our recruitment event is to actively engage and support participants with an array of diverse views and experiences who are interested in pursuing predoctoral studies in the biomedical sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Participants in this event will have the opportunity to learn about the breadth of research training available to all students at the University of Minnesota and gain an immersive experience of what it’s like to be a biomedical sciences PhD student in our Medical School.
Dates: October 7-10, 2026
- The program will start on Thursday, October 8, 2026 and run through Friday, October 9, 2026
- Participants to arrive on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and return home on either the evening of October 9 or morning of October 10, 2026
- Application to participate will be open March 2, 2026 through July 27, 2026
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Have research experience (minimum of 3 months in a research lab)
- Studying life sciences or have a strong interest and passion for the biomedical sciences
- Plan to pursue a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences
- Interested in starting graduate school Fall 2027 or Fall 2028
We encourage all students to apply, including those who are:
- From historically marginalized populations
- First-generation college students
- Socio-economically disadvantaged
Benefits
- Transportation, meals, and lodging fully covered
- Application fee waiver
Participant Learning Goals
By actively participating in the Biomedical Sciences Programs Preview Weekend, participants will be able to:
- Learn about each of the biomedical science graduate programs in the Medical School at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Connect with faculty, staff, and graduate students from the various graduate programs
- Explore what the UMN Twin Cities campus and Medical School has to offer
- Shadow a PhD student for a day through engaging activities and networking opportunities
- Get support on how to enhance your graduate application
Personal Statement and Diversity of Views and Experiences Prompts
Personal Statement Prompt
Personal Statement Prompt
Describe why you are interested in participating in the Biomedical Sciences Programs Preview Weekend with the University of Minnesota Medical School. The letter can address two or more of the following:
- What you are looking for in a graduate program
- How a graduate degree will support your career goals and aspirations
- Life experiences that have prepared you to start a graduate program
- Your career goals (i.e. your interest in pursuing graduate or professional-level work in a specific discipline/area)
- The scientific questions that interest you most and the reason(s) for this interest(s)
- The specific areas in which you would like to conduct research and the factors that influenced the development of those interests
Word limit: 500
Diversity of Views and Experiences Prompt
Diversity of Views and Experiences Prompt
Diversity of views and experiences is fundamental to the University's mission, and the University's faculty, staff, and students share responsibility for the collective achievement of this goal. Please describe the distinctive perspectives or life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to your graduate program. Describe how these perspectives or life experiences could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota.
Word limit: 500
Application Requirements
Please prepare the following items before starting your application:
- Unofficial transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from faculty (must be research based)
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement (500 words)*
- Diversity of Views and Experiences Statement (500 words)*
*Prompts can be found at the bottom of this webpage
Applications are open March 2, 2026 - July 27, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their invitation to participate by the second week in August 2026.
University of Minnesota Medical School PhD Programs
- Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology (MICaB)
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics (MCDB&G)
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience (GPN)
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics (BMBB)
- Integrative Biology and Physiology (IBP)
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT)
- Integrated Biosciences (IBS)
- Rehabilitation Science
- Medical Physics