Transfer Students

The CMB program accepts transfer student applications throughout the year. Transfer applications are accepted for students currently enrolled in another UW-Madison graduate program and those who are transferring from another institution with their thesis advisor. If you are interested in transferring to the CMB Program, please contact the CMB Office at cmb@bocklabs.wisc.edu. The policies, requirements, and application procedure for transfer students are outlined below.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Transfer from another UW-Madison graduate program

Students are welcome to transfer to CMB. Transfer applications are considered any time of year for students enrolled in another UW-Madison PhD program in the biological sciences. Prior to applying, the student must be accepted into the lab of a CMB trainer. If the student intends to conduct research in the lab of a non-CMB faculty trainer, the faculty member must first apply and be accepted as a CMB faculty trainer. The transfer application materials (see below for full list), will be reviewed by the CMB Chair and CMB Admissions Committee Chair. Upon acceptance to CMB, the student will work with the CMB office and CMB Chair to transfer course credits and the prelim exam to fulfill CMB requirements. The decision whether to allow the transfer of courses and the prelim exam is based on their alignment with the CMB learning goals. The CMB office and CMB Chair will also work with the student and their thesis advisor to establish a timeline for completing annual CMB requirements, including a thesis committee meeting and a seminar.

Transfer from another institution when thesis advisor moves to UW-Madison

Students enrolled in a PhD program at another institution are welcome to transfer to CMB when their thesis advisor moves to UW-Madison. Students who have been accepted into the lab prior to the decision to move to UW-Madison, but not yet formally enrolled, may also be considered. Transfer applications are considered any time of year. Prior to applying, the thesis advisor must first apply and be accepted as a CMB faculty trainer. The transfer application materials (see below for full list), will be reviewed by the CMB Chair and CMB Admissions Committee Chair. Upon acceptance to CMB, the student will work with the CMB office and CMB Chair to complete their UW-Madison Graduate School application and transfer course credits and the prelim exam to fulfill CMB requirements. All transfer students are admitted as pre-dissertators and are required to complete 32-credits in residence at UW-Madison. The decision whether to allow the transfer of courses and the prelim exam is based on their alignment with the CMB learning goals. The CMB office and CMB Chair will also work with the student and their thesis advisor to ensure they meet the resident credit requirement and establish a timeline for completing annual CMB requirements, including a thesis committee meeting and a seminar.

Direct admissions into a CMB trainer’s lab

CMB does not have a mechanism for an individual who is working in a CMB faculty trainer’s lab to bypass the admissions process and be directly admitted into the trainer’s lab as a PhD student. The individual must apply to CMB through the fall application process. If they are accepted by the Admissions Committee and enroll in CMB, they can join the CMB faculty trainer’s lab after rotating in three labs. Alternatively, if they are placed on the Direct Admit List by the Admissions Committee, they can join the CMB trainer’s lab by following the Direct Admit procedure. A trainer’s desire to accept a current lab member into the lab as a CMB PhD student should be expressed in the letter of recommendation. It is not appropriate to petition the Admissions Committee for special exception or to request an abbreviated review to place an applicant directly onto the Direct Admit List.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Please send all application materials to the CMB Office at cmb@bocklabs.wisc.edu

Transfer from another UW-Madison graduate program

  • A copy of the original UW-Madison Graduate School application materials, which should include three letters of recommendation
  • Current transcripts
  • CV or resume
  • A letter from the prospective advisor describing the following:
      • Reason for transfer and justification of why CMB is preferred over the current graduate program
      • Applicant’s qualifications
      • Description of thesis research project
      • Commitment of financial support at the current CMB stipend rate
  • A letter from the transfer student applicant describing the following:
    • Previous laboratory experience
    • Reason for transfer
    • Description of thesis research project
  • An Addition/Change of Program form which can be completed online through the Graduate School website

Transfer from another institution when thesis advisor moves to UW-Madison

  • Personal statement
  • CV or resume
  • Current transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation

ADMISSION

Accepted transfer students are admitted as Direct Admit Students.  After the admission is finalized, the student must complete all course requirements and yearly progress requirements as listed in the Timeline for Progress Towards the PhD Degree section of the CMB Handbook.