Admissions

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Entry Requirements and Application

The application period opens on November 1 and closes on March 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by April 1. Applicants must follow directions precisely to ensure that applications reach the correct UVI program and are processed on time. If applicants have any questions about the application process, they should contact the MMES Program Coordinator at sophia.mckenzie@uvi.edu.

Please note that the program does not have a minimum GPA requirement. The program also does not require that you identify an advisor before applying. However, we strongly encourage you to contact faculty who share your interests to see if they have available openings on their research team. Please see our "Research" tab for research areas and associated faculty.

Application due date and decision timeline:

• Complete applications for this program, including recommendations, must be received by March 1. Applications received after this date may not be considered.
• To be considered for financial aid and scholarships, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the application deadline. 
• The MMES admissions committee will meet shortly after March 1 and expect to contact applicants by April 1 with application decisions. Those who are accepted will be asked to respond to the offer of admission by May 1. 

To apply to the MMES program, please complete the following checklist of requirements  (be sure to complete all items, 1 through 6): 

1.  Program Application online form. Please be prepared to complete this web form in one sitting. This is different from the online graduate application, also required and linked below at number 6. 

Information you will need to complete the Program Application:

• Citizenship information
• GPA, hours completed and/or degree information for all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) institutions you are currently attending or have attended
• TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• List of academic honors, fellowships, scholarships and other awards received
• Names and affiliations of three (3) persons who are acquainted with your academic work and/or experience in your proposed field of study
• Statement of Purpose: In 750 words or less, please identify your goals and objectives in pursuing a master's degree in UVI's MMES program. Describe your unique perspective(s), background, identity, interest, or talent, as well as a challenge, setback, or failure and how those affect(ed) you and your potential contributions to the MMES program. If you have already identified MMES faculty you are interested in working with, please be sure to include this information as well.
  

2. Three (3) letters of recommendation must be completed by an evaluator and submitted through the web form by the application deadline. The program application system will not automatically notify your letter writers. It is the applicant's responsibility to send the link to their letter writers and to ensure that letters of recommendation are submitted by March 1. (Note: Do not use a service, such as Interfolio, to send the recommendations as our recommendation cover form asks about the candidate in more detail). Here is the link to share: https://www.uvi.edu/academics/science-math/departments/bio-sciences/marine-envir-science/masters-marine-envir/eform2.html

3. A curriculum vitae (cv) or résumé must be submitted with your application. Please email your cv by the application deadline to mmes@myuvi.net.

4.  Submit official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. Official transcript (s) must be sent to graduateadmissions@uvi.edu

If an applicant is completing their baccalaureate degree at the time of application, proof of conferred degree is required prior to matriculation.

5.  Proof of English competency, such as TOEFL scores, for international students for whom English is not a first language, .

6.  Complete the online graduate application and pay the application fee. You must also complete the Program Application  (See Number 1).   

How to Apply to MMES Presentation

It is highly recommended that applicants would have completed the following coursework within the past ten (10) years:

• Three (3) semesters of some combination of General Biology and General Chemistry, including at least one semester of Biology.
• At least (1) semester of Calculus and one (1) semester of a course in the area of applied mathematics, biostatistics, statistics, or quantitative research methods. 
• Additional suggested courses include upper level Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics or other social science coursework.

Individuals without the stated coursework are invited to contact the Program Director to discuss their background and preparation for the program.

International Students
The MMES program welcomes international applicants.  Please read the International Student Manual for additional application directions (PDF document and form) and contact the MMES Program Coordinator.

Transfer Students
The MMES program welcomes inquiries from potential transfer applicants. Please contact the MMES Program Coordinator. The following policy, as stated in the UVI Graduate Bulletin, applies:

A maximum of six graduate credits earned at another university or college may be accepted towards the fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree. Only credits earned within the last five years at a grade no lower than B will qualify for acceptance under this regulation. Students should request that an official copy of their graduate transcript be sent to the Admissions Office for consideration of courses to be transferred.

Potential transfer applicants should note that transfer credits may only be counted towards electives, and may not replace any of the first year core courses of the MMES program.