The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community of marine scientists. All individuals, including those traditionally under-represented in the marine sciences, are encouraged to apply. The School of Marine Science does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs or activities. Admission criteria are based on past and potential academic and research performance and potential for leadership in the field of marine science.
Procedures
Application instructions and forms are available electronically at: http://www.vims.edu/education/graduate/.
E-mail inquiries for general questions about the VIMS/SMS admission process may be sent to: Admissions@vims.edu
Applicants who do not have access to a computer may request application forms and send completed application materials to:
Office of Academic Studies
School of Marine Science
College of William and Mary
P.O. Box 1346
Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062
Students are encouraged to apply for admission during the winter of each calendar year, with a closing date of January 15. Applicants will be notified after April 15. Admission will be valid for matriculation for the following Fall term. The Associate Dean of Academic Studies (AD-AS@vims.edu) should be contacted prior to submitting applications at any other time or regarding any special circumstances the student’s application or matriculation might present.
Students who apply to SMS, particularly those who seek a Ph.D., are advised to contact faculty members with whom they share similar research interests. Students seeking a M.S. may apply without identifying a potential advisor, however, only students for whom a faculty mentor has been identified are admitted to SMS.
The following are required of applicants to the School of Marine Science:
- One (1) copy of the completed application form.
- A non-refundable processing fee of $50. This fee is not credited to the student’s account. There is no fee for application for admission as a non-degree seeking (post-baccalaureate) student. In addition, William & Mary is pleased to waive the application fee for anyone who has served honorably in the armed forces of the United States. Please contact the Office of Academic Studies (Admissions@vims.edu) if you wish to request a fee waiver.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- Official transcripts of all college work. (Final degree transcripts are required of admitted students before they matriculate).
- Official Scores of the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Scores in an advanced section of the Graduate Record Examination in the applicant’s undergraduate major field or an area appropriate to the applicant’s proposed concentration in marine science are informative but are not required. GRE scores more than 5 years old are not acceptable. Applicants are encouraged to take the Graduate Record Examination at scheduled dates that will allow for receipt of scores by the aforementioned closing date. The School will not evaluate applications lacking GRE scores or other critical materials after the closing date.
In general, the minimum requirements for acceptance to the School of Marine Science are a GPA of 3.0 (on scale of 4.0) or higher, and a combined GRE score of 1100 (verbal + quantitative; for tests taken prior to August 1, 2011) or 300 (verbal + quantitative; for tests taken on or after August 1, 2011).
Applicants are encouraged to visit the campus and to contact faculty members about specific research interests, funding opportunities, and program information.
Admission to the School of Marine Science is highly competitive; there were 120 applicants for the entering class of 2012, of which 25 were accepted and 20 matriculated. The SMS Admission Committee, department faculty and the Associate Dean of Academic Studies carefully evaluate criteria of performance, which include GRE scores, overall GPA and GPA in area of concentration, the applicant’s statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and prior experience. Although it is neither possible, nor desirable, to provide absolute values of criteria that will ensure admission, admitted students typically have GPAs of 3.5 or better and GREs that put them in the upper quartile of students taking the tests.
International Students
In addition to the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), international applicants whose primary language is not English must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In general, the minimum acceptable TOEFL scores are: 550 (paper version), 220 (computer version), or 80 (internet version). The TOEFL requirement may be waived if the applicant has completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited U.S. institution or other appropriate institution in which the language of instruction is English. Students with marginal proficiency in English will be required to attend an appropriate English course offered at the Williamsburg campus. A reduced load of graduate courses is suggested for these students.
Non-English academic transcripts, certificates of degrees and similar documents submitted by international applicants must be accompanied by an English translation.
International students admitted to SMS must present proof that they have available funds sufficient to meet all costs they will incur while studying at the School of Marine Science. The form I-20 will not be mailed until this proof of financial support is received. For those students offered financial aid by the School of Marine Science, such aid may be included as a source of funds.
The Reves Center on main campus provides valuable information for international applicants as well as current international students. Please visit their website for additional information:
http://www.wm.edu/offices/revescenter/issp/documents/student_welcome_book.pdf
Degree-Seeking Students
Students are admitted as Regular or Provisional graduate students in either the M.S. or Ph.D. program. For matriculation as a Regular graduate student, an applicant must have completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college, with a record of high performance, and must have the recommendations of the SMS Admission Committee, a faculty advisor and the Associate Dean of Academic Studies of the School of Marine Science.
Students may be admitted to either the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy program. A student without a master’s degree enters the program as a master’s student; however, those wishing to continue directly to the Ph.D. degree may apply to bypass the M.S. degree, provided the student meets the criteria for the bypass (see Master of Science Bypass Option). Bypass requires approval of the student’s advisory committee, department chair, the Academic Status and Degrees Committee, and the Associate Dean of Academic Studies.
An applicant judged deficient in preparatory studies or other areas may be admitted as a Provisional student. A Provisional student may petition for Regular student status after successful completion of those requirements stipulated in his/her notification of admission. Petition for change in status shall be reviewed by the Academic Status and Degrees Committee, using as criteria overall academic performance and performance standards previously specified on the student’s notification of admission. If recommended by ASDC, the petition must be approved by the Associate Dean of Academic Studies. Graduate credit earned by a Provisional student will be applied toward the graduate degree upon successful conversion to Regular student status.
Non Degree-Seeking Students
The School of Marine Science accepts non-degree seeking applications from individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Permission to enroll in a graduate marine science course as a non-degree seeking student must be applied for every semester and does not imply admission to any graduate program at the College of William and Mary. Graduate credit earned in a marine science course as a non-degree seeking student may be applied toward a marine science degree if the student is admitted to a degree program. |
