Frequently Asked Questions:

General/Academic

1. What factors should I consider in choosing a graduate program?
2. How long will it take to obtain my Ph.D.?
3. How long will I receive my stipend and tuition scholarship?
4. What if I receive a grade of "B-" or my GPA falls below 3.0?
5. What are the criteria for continuing in the program?
6. When do I choose a thesis advisor?
7. How do I decide on which doctoral program to enter?
8. If I know which program or department I would like to enter do I have to go through the IGPBS?

Stipend

1. How often do I get paid?
2. Do I need to work an outside job to supplement by stipend?

Health Care

1. What coverage is Available ?
2. Do I receive health insurance coverage?

Entering Program

1. When will I be notified about acceptance into the program?
2. What is the deadline for applying?
3. When does the program start?
4. Do I have to do all the rotations if I already know who I want as my thesis advisor?

Academic

What factors should I consider in choosing a graduate program?
The name of the institution a student enrolls in is not always the most important factor in selecting a graduate program. Your main reasons should include the ability to participate in groundbreaking research and identifying, as mentors, outstanding faculty members based on their research productivity and publication rate. In addition, administrative and faculty support as well as collaboration and collegiality with faculty and fellow students should also be considered in your selection. The reputation of any institution is secondary to potential employers or postdoctoral mentors. The quality of your research and the number of your publications in top-rated journals will be primary to them.

How long will it take to obtain my Ph.D.?
The exact length of time needed to earn a doctoral degree is highly individualistic depending in large part upon the student's efforts. Typically, students receive their Ph.D. degree after four to five years of work.

How long will I receive my stipend and tuition scholarship?
The annual stipend ($24,000 - Fall 2008) is renewable on an annual basis. Students are often appointed on NIH grants and training grants following the first year. Similarly, tuition scholarship awards are renewed on an annual basis until the student completes the required 72 credit hours for completion of the Ph.D. degree.  Students must be in good academic standing for these awards to be renewed. 

What are the criteria for continuing in the program? The University at Buffalo requires graduate students to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better. In addition, the IGPBS requires that students receive a grade of at least a "B" in all required courses. Once students matriculate into a program they are subject to that department's or program's requirements which generally are comparable to the above. Presidential fellows are expected to maintain 3.5 GPA or above.

What if I receive a grade of "B-" or my GPA falls below 3.0?
If a student receives a grade of less than a "B" or their grade point average falls below 3.0, they will be placed on academic probation for the next semester with specific requirements to remediate their situation. Failure to meet the specified conditions is grounds for dismissal.

When do I choose a thesis advisor?
The matching process for selecting an advisor occurs at the end of the first year in the program after the students have had the opportunity to complete their laboratory rotations.  Currently students are required to enroll in three laboratory rotations, however there is the opportunity to complete a fourth.

How do I decide on which doctoral program to enter?
Your choice of thesis advisor will dictate which doctoral program you will enter and thus what are the specific requirements for obtaining your doctoral degree. Many faculty members are associated with multiple departments and Ph.D. programs thereby affording students the opportunity of selecting the program that best appeals to their future goals.  

If I know which program or department I would like to enter do I have to go through the IGPBS?
The main advantage of the Interdisciplinary Program is  that students have the freedom and opportunity to explore different programs, research areas and investigators before making a choice. Because many of the faculty members are associated with more than one program/department, the students have the flexibility to select the program that is most appealing to them. Students are not restricted to applying through the IGPBS, and may apply directly to a specific department or program however, it should be noted that first year students register in a common curriculum whether they enter a specific department or the IGPBS.

Stipend :

How often do I get paid?
As a health sciences graduate assistant at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, your stipend is based on a 12-month appointment.  Payments are made on a biweekly basis.  Direct deposit arrangements are available to graduate assistants.

Do I need to work an outside job to supplement my stipend?
Because working toward your doctoral degree is a full time endeavor including summers, outside employment is strongly discouraged. With the lower cost of living in Buffalo, the Fall 2008 stipend of $24,000 is sufficient to allow students a substantial standard of living without having to find outside employment.

Health Care

Do I receive health insurance coverage?
First year graduate assistants receive Health Insurance coverage which is negotiated through the Graduate Student Employee Union (GSEU).  This has included managed care for hospital, medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision services through a health-care network of providers and facilities.  Once students matriculate into departments coverage is based on whether students remain graduate assistants or transfer to the Research Foundation payroll.  They may continue receiving coverage through GSEU or receive comparable coverage through the Research Foundation.  Please note that international students on J-1 visas may have some variation to the above which is required by the University and Immigration Service.  The Student Health Center is located on the south campus and is staffed with physicians and other health care individuals and will provide students with immediate health care attention.

Entering the Program

When will I be notified about acceptance into the program?
The IGPBS has rolling admissions. Acceptances begin to be mailed in early February.

What is the deadline for applying?
It is in the student's best interest to apply as early as possible. Applications are due by February 1st. Admissions decisions will continue through the spring and students are requested to make their final acceptance decision to the graduate school that they will attend no later than April 15th.  

When does the program start?
A mandatory orientation week precedes the start of classes which generally begin the third week in August. 

Do I have to do all the rotations if I already know who I want as my thesis advisor?
The requirement to complete three rotations was established, in part, to provide  students with a broad research experience. Empirically, we have found that students make better and more informed decisions about thesis mentors after engaging in multiple laboratory rotations. In some cases, those who may have had identified a particular department program in their application, selected a different department or program based on their laboratory experiences.    

 Any other questions?

Please contact Amy Kuzdale akuzdale@buffalo.edu