FAQ's: Admissions
Q. Is the Department of Environmental Toxicology located on the main Texas Tech University campus?
A. No; the Department of Environmental Toxicology is located about 20 minutes from the main Texas Tech University campus. Our department’s address is 1207 S. Gilbert Dr., Lubbock, TX 79416.
Q. Is there public transportation to the Department of Environmental Toxicology?
A. No; there is no public transportation, but help among fellow students can be requested until you have your own transportation. Our department is located at 1207 S. Gilbert Dr., Lubbock, TX 79416.
Q. Are we required to pay for parking?
A. Yes, TTU Transportation and Parking Services requires ENTX students to purchase an annual parking pass.
Q. Do I need to apply to the Graduate School and to the Environmental Toxicology program separately?
A. No, there is only one application. Prospective students can choose either Fall or Spring entry on the Graduate School application. Please select the Environmental Toxicology program when applying.
Q. How much is the application fee?
A. The application fee for US/permanent residents and for international students is $60. This fee can be paid online when filling out the Graduate School application.
Q. What are the deadlines for applications?
A. Applications are reviewed continuously throughout each academic year. However, prospective students submitting complete application packages before January 15 (for those planning to enroll in the upcoming Fall semester) or June 1 (for those planning to enroll in the upcoming Spring semester) will be eligible and considered for a limited number of graduate research assistantships (stipends).
Q. What is the minimum GRE score to be eligible for admission?
A. All aspects of the application packet are important, and each application is reviewed holistically. You will not be accepted or rejected based solely on GRE scores.
Q. What is the minimum GPA score to be eligible for admission?
A. All aspects of the application packet are important, and each application is reviewed holistically. You will not be accepted or rejected based solely on GPA.
Q. What type of undergraduate degree do I need to be successful in the Environmental Toxicology graduate program?
A. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Toxicology, prospective students should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator to discuss prerequisites and prior training. Generally, a strong background in the natural, physical, or health sciences will provide the necessary preparation for this program. The Admissions Committee may request leveling courses for students to succeed in our Environmental Toxicology courses.
Q. What is needed for the application?
A. The application must be complete and include the following documents: transcripts, GRE Scores (highly encouraged but not required until Summer 2024), TOEFL Scores (if applicable), CV, Personal Statement, Research Statement, Writing Sample (optional) and 2 Letters of Recommendation. Please select the Environmental Toxicology program on the Graduate School application.
Q. Is it necessary to secure an advisor before the Admissions Committee reviews the application?
A. It is best to identify and communicate with a faculty member before the Admissions Committee reviews your application, but it is not required. You can contact the faculty that you would like to work with in our department and ask if they have a lab opening. Faculty will want to look at your CV and communicate with you to see if you would be a good fit for their lab.
Q. How long does it take for applications to be reviewed before a decision is made?
A. Decision times on applications vary. The Graduate School reviews applications and will email students for missing information. It may take 3 days – 1 ½ weeks for applications to be deferred to the department. The Graduate Program Coordinator puts students’ packets together for the Admissions Committee to review. The Admissions Committee meets about 1 week after the students’ packet is compiled. The decision on the student’s application may take around 2 weeks, but it is usually no longer than 1 month after the completed application is done.
Q. How is funding awarded?
A. The effort involved in completing a graduate degree is substantial, both in commitment and time. Because of this, most graduate programs in the sciences provide students with the opportunity to receive a stipend to help defray a portion of the cost associated with obtaining a degree. However, acceptance into our graduate program does not guarantee that a student will receive a stipend.
Stipends are limited and competitive. Stipends may be provided by the department or through the research grants of faculty. New students will be considered for stipends based on review of their application file. Students on stipends receive in-state tuition, fee waivers, and are eligible for health benefits.
Q. What other benefits am I eligible for as a graduate student?
A. Students on stipends will be eligible to receive in-state tuition, fee waivers, and health insurance. Students will be responsible for paying for their own health insurance premium. Costs for domestic students can range from approximately $180 for self and up to $750 for a spouse and/or child, depending on your needs. The cost of insurance for international students is around $1,100-$1,500 per long semester.
Q. When will I be notified if I have been awarded funding?
A. Acceptance into our graduate program does not guarantee that a student will receive a stipend. Stipends are limited and competitive. Stipends may be provided by the department or through the research grants of faculty. The Admissions Committee ranks the applications and makes recommendations for the Research Assistantship. Students may receive Offer Letters by mid-April. Please be patient as the department makes decisions for funding students.
Q. What is a half-time graduate Research Assistantship?
A. Because graduate student employees are both students and employees, employment is part-time and students employed as a Research Assistant may not work for the university more than an average of 20 cumulative hours per week.
A Research Assistant is a graduate student who is currently enrolled in the Graduate School and who is also employed by the university to perform research activities or other such activities to assist the department's research efforts in support of the university's research mission.