The botany program cultivates a collegial, interactive atmosphere in which graduate students participate as colleagues with faculty in the common pursuit of excellence in scholarship and research. Graduate students are expected to be independent, self-motivated, and enthusiastic about learning and about undertaking and completing original research.  Because of these expectations and our commitment to maintaining an atmosphere that promotes research productivity, prospective graduate students are carefully screened to ensure high academic standards and compatibility with the ethos of the botany program.  Therefore, the objective guidelines below may be less important in individual cases than demonstrated research ability or intellectual independence.

General guidelines for admission to the CGU Botany Program:

(1) Combined (quantitative and verbal) GRE score of at least 1200;

(2) GRE analytical writing score of at least 4.50;

(3) GRE Biology subject exam strongly recommended but not required;

(4) For international students, a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test), 70 (internet-based test); or an IELTS score of at least 6.5;

(5) An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale (or equivalent);

(6) A demonstrated ability to perform independent research.

It is strongly recommended that prospective students communicate directly with prospective faculty advisors whose research best fits their own interests. Owing to the small size of our program, "fit" is a key component of admission.

For more information about applying to Claremont Graduate University, part of the seven-college Claremont consortium, visit the CGU webpage designed for prospective students. Applications should be sent directly to the CGU Admissions Office.  The CGU Botany faculty at RSABG evaluate all applications and make decisions regarding admission and financial aid.  

For more information about the botany program at RSABG, contact Botany Program Coordinator Linda Worlow

Financial Aid

Students in the Botany Program receive tuition waivers from CGU except under unusual circumstances.  Full-time students are also eligible to apply for additional financial aid in the form of research and teaching assistantships.  Research assistants work with RSABG faculty on a specific project over the course of a semester.  Teaching assistants are apprenticed to one of the graduate courses and usually have responsibility for laboratory exercises.  Students in good standing are also eligible for research support in the form of small grants.  These are intended to enable students to launch their research projects and to collect the preliminary data required to successfully compete for funding from outside sources.

Degree Programs

Programs of study and research leading to both master's and doctoral degrees are offered.  Masters students normally have 2.5 years (5 semesters) to complete and defend the thesis; Ph.D. students are expected to complete their degrees within five years.