After the Admissions Committee reviews applications in December, a small number of highly qualified applicants who are not invited for interviews are placed on the Direct Admit List. Direct Admit students are accepted into the CMB Program under the sponsorship of a CMB faculty trainer who has agreed to provide full financial support at the CMB stipend rate for the duration of their PhD studies. MSTP (MD/PhD) students are also considered Direct Admit students.
Unlike traditional admits, Direct Admit students do not participate in fall lab rotations. However, they are strongly encouraged to engage in all CMB programmatic activities and events. They will follow the same timeline for PhD progress and course requirements as all other CMB students. Additional administrative details, such as 990 research credits, payroll, tuition remission, and health insurance benefits, will be handled through the Thesis Advisor’s home department. Direct Admit students will receive the current CMB stipend rate through their Thesis Advisor’s home department.
In the event that a Direct Admit student needs to change labs, the original Thesis Advisor is responsible for providing financial support for a one-month rotation period in another lab.
If a Direct Admit student must switch labs, the Thesis Advisor is responsible for financially supporting the student for a one month rotation period in another lab.
For further details, including the admissions timeline for Direct Admit students, please refer to the Direct Admit Process.
If a faculty member and student agree to a Direct Admit placement, the following form must be completed by both the PI and the student: Direct Admit Form.