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Ph.D. in Human Nutrition Questions

PhD Questions

Q1. Do I need to take the GRE?

The answer to this question depends on whether you meet the waiver requirements listed on this website (Ph.D. in Human Nutrition). If you do not meet these requirements, an excellent GRE score would improve your application.

Q2. Do I need to take the IELTS or TOEFL if I earned an advanced degree in English?

The Graduate School sets these requirements and makes this determination. The language score requirements are listed at https://graduate.ua.edu/applicants/international-students/

Q3. Can faculty proofread my application materials and provide advice?

No. Each item in the application is judged and scored after received with your application. UA faculty will not review any element of your application prior to submission. Therefore, all application materials should reflect your own abilities and skills.

Q4. Do I need to contact a mentor and be admitted to their lab prior to submitting my application?

No, you do not need to contact any UA faculty prior to applying to the PhD program. As a potential student, you should strive to match your research interests and passion for the topic with a mentor with similar interests and experience to gain the most out of your doctoral education. Consider the following: What is your passion? What type of research do you want to pursue? What type of contribution do you want to make to the scientific community? You should review nutrition faculty’s CVs and read a few of their publications. Please remember that the type of research you select will define your research career.

Q5. What if my research interest does not match any of the mentors at UA?

Consider if the UA program is the best match for you. You may want to read articles on your topic of interest and determine whether that author’s department has a doctoral program.

Q6. Should I list more than one mentor on my Statement of Purpose?

Some of our researchers have overlapping research agendas while others do not. For example, our scientists may work in the laboratory, clinical setting, community, or complete secondary data analysis.

Q7. How do I apply for funding?

First, you must be admitted to the program. We cannot make funding offers to people who do not apply or are not admitted. Then, once we have accepted applicants, the Department Chair awards graduate and research assistantships based on the needs of the Department.