Metabolic Biology Admissions

FAQ

If your questions about our admissions process are not answered below, please email nst_gsao@berkeley.edu

Where do I apply?
The online application system can be accessed on the Berkeley Graduate Division website. 

When is the application deadline?
Our application deadline is Monday, December 1, 2025 by 8:59PM  *PACIFIC STANDARD TIME*. The online application site will automatically lockdown at 8:59pm PST, 12/1/2025. We admit for the fall semester only.

Is there an application fee waiver?
Applying to Berkeley for grad school requires an application fee of $135 if you are a US citizen or US permanent resident, and $155 otherwise. US citizens, US permanent residents, and AB540 students can apply to waive this application fee if (i) they demonstrate financial need or (ii) they have taken part in specific programs that qualify for a fee waiver. For full details, please see https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/fee-waiver/.  Financial need is determined by either (i) Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on your Student Aid Report; or (ii) by the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on your tax return. 

What are the minimum admission requirements?
Please refer to the Graduate Division Admissions Requirements for details on minimum test scores and GPA. The GRE is not required. There is no minimum required score. 

What does the graduate group look for in a successful applicant?
Students who have majored in Biology, Chemistry or something similar with lab experience, have a high GPA and high GRE scores often do well in our program. Excellent recommendation letters and statements of purpose are equally as important. We practice holistic admissions, valuing each part of the application.

Am I required to contact faculty prior to applying?
You are not required to contact any faculty, but you may find it worthwhile if you have specific research questions.

Do I have to provide a list of faculty in whose research I am interested?
Yes, we ask that you provide the names of faculty with whom you would be interested in conducting research or performing rotations. This assists our staff in arranging for appropriate interviews. To assist with your selection of names, we recommend reading through the research interests/descriptions available on out list of Faculty.

What is the department like?
Our program is on the smaller side. Our students, staff and faculty all know each other and interact frequently. This fosters a close, friendly, supportive environment. Most of the graduate students know each other personally and professionally, so exchanging ideas or setting up collaborations is easy. Our MB Ph.D. students interact with the MB MS students and the Molecular Toxicology Ph.D. students on a daily bases in labs and courses. Many Ph.D. students from Endocrinology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Integrative Biology programs do their research primarily in NST labs. We also strive to create a scientific network outside of the department to utilize the world-class resources and investigators at large, prestigious research university. Anything at Cal is at your fingertips!

What kind of financial support can I expect?
Financial support for our Metabolic Biology Ph.D. program includes an annual stipend (~$40,000 - $52,000 per year), and full tuition/fees/health insurance for 5 years. Students are encouraged to seek their own funding by way of fellowship or scholarship. MS students are not provided full funding, but may hold a GSI (Graduate Student Instructor) position which provides a stipend and covers the student services fee, tuition, and health insurance fee.

What is the city of Berkeley like?
Berkeley combines an attractive campus within a diverse city. There is much to do both on campus and off including many cultural, sport, and outdoor (hiking, skiing, etc.) events and opportunities. Downtown Berkeley has a large variety of restaurants with various ethnic cuisines options available.

What are my career options after graduation?
Graduates of our Ph.D. program will be exceptionally prepared for a research/teaching career in academia, government, or industry. Some students have gone on to get additional training in medicine or dietetics.

What are the requirements for the degree?
During the first two years you will be in NST courses, GSIing lower division NST courses, and in the first year participating in 3 lab rotations. You will choose a lab at the end of your first year. Once you complete the Oral Qualifying Exam at the end of your 2nd year, you will focus more heavily on research, department seminars, and optional elective courses.

Will I get into the lab of my choice?
You will do 3 rotations in labs of your choice and then decide in conjunction with faculty about your best fit. In the MS program, you will do 1-2 rotations before choosing a lab. Most, if not all students, usually get their first choice.

Will I be teaching classes?
There is one-semester teaching minimum in which you will be a GSI (Graduate Student Instructor) for one of the classes offered by the NST department. The class is usually taught by one or more professors within the department and your responsibilities might include attending lectures, leading review sessions, or holding office hours to answer student questions. There are opportunities to GSI multiple semesters within the department.

Can I afford to live in Berkeley?
The stipend you receive as a Ph.D. student adequately covers living expenses in Berkeley. While housing costs can be steep in the Bay Area, many students choose to live in a studio or a shared house or apartment in Berkeley or a nearby city. There are many public transportation options, some of which are free for students. Health insurance is included with the stipend, and food costs are comparable to other college cities. It is definitely doable!

What kinds of scholarships/fellowships are available?
While our Ph.D. programs are fully-funded, we do encourage students to obtain fellowships and scholarships. Several of our students have NSF fellowships. Graduate Division also has many financial support options for you.

What specific research areas do NST faculty members study?
Learn more about our faculty's specializations on the faculty roster. 

What kind of classes will I take?
Our courses are listed here. Our students also are free to take relevant courses in other departments such as: Chemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Public Health.

Do you have a visit/interview day?
We do! The visit will take place in January. The visit (by invitation only) typically includes a welcome presentation and dinner, one-on-one faculty interviews, departmental luncheon, current student poster presentations, campus tour, graduate student/perspective student dinner, and ample time to explore the Berkeley community.

When will you have made admission decisions?
Our goal is to have our final decisions made by end of March.