PS Please address the questions below in your personal statement. Upload one document with two or three separate sections (depending on whether you answer the optional question), with each section clearly labeled [Statement of Purpose Upload]. While there is no specific required length, most statements are longer than one page but do not exceed three pages. REQUIRED Describe your previous research experience(s). Explain your motivation to pursue this research, the scientific rationale for the project(s), and your role in the project(s). Summarize outcomes, challenges, and objectives. (Note that Statements of Purpose lacking an informative description of your research experience are considered non-responsive to the instructions.). REQUIRED Describe your motivation for seeking a PhD in the biomedical sciences, and what general type of research you hope to pursue in graduate school. Explain how a PhD will be a necessary step towards your career goals. OPTIONAL Is there anything else not addressed in the questions above that you would like the committee to take into account as they consider your application? CV Curriculum Vitae (Resume/CV): Include research publications published or in preparation Fee Application fee (non-refundable $85) [Fee waiver: there are several categories of applicants who may qualify for an application fee waiver. For more information, please see the Graduate School’s Information on Application Fee Waiver Requests: http://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/feewaiver.html. Application fee scholarships are available for applicants from populations historically underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Please contact Dr. Ashalla Freeman for information about scholarship eligibility.] RL You must submit email addresses for at least three recommenders far enough in advance of the deadline so that their letters can be uploaded by December 1. Your recommender will be contacted directly by UNC and given a link to upload their letter to your file.Please consider sharing the information below with those who are submitting letters of recommendation on your behalf: The most effective references come from faculty with whom you have conducted independent/original research. Letters jointly written by faculty with senior lab members (e.g. postdoctoral scientists, staff, senior graduate students) are welcome if they provide greater insight into your accomplishments and potential as a scientist. Letters from only senior lab members without a faculty letter have much less impact. Admissions committees greatly value letters that specifically describe qualities such as motivation, work ethic, resilience, persistence, initiative, intellectual contribution, and collegiality in research and academic settings. Transcript Transcripts (complete, not selected courses): One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to the first day of the term.