Apply for PREP
Eligibility Requirements
Admittance into KU PREP is competitive. U.S. citizens or legal residents who have received a bachelor's degree within the last three years are eligible to apply. Students who are accepted into the program must intend to apply to a PhD program in the sciences and have a serious interest in a career in biomedical research.
The full eligibility requirements are available on the NIH PREP webpage.
Deadline
The application for KU PREP 2024-25 is now open. There is no fee associated with the application. Please see below for detailed application instructions. Priority consideration will be given to students who complete their application by March 1. The PREP application closes May 1, 2024.
Instructions
Before completing the PREP application, you will need to have several documents ready. Please review the item list below before starting your application to facilitate the process.
Instructions
Applicants will need to use the KU Graduate Admissions application system to apply. Applicants should create a new account if they do not have one already. There is no fee associated with the application.
When starting a new application, choose Lawrence/Edwards Graduate Application 2024
On the Graduate Program Info Page in the application form, please select the following options to ensure that your application is routed correctly:
- Online Program?: No
- Location: Lawrence (Main Campus)
- Academic Intention: Nondegree-seeking
- Academic Area of Interest: Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Academic Program: Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program.
- In what course(s) do you wish to enroll? N/A PREP
- Purpose of Non-Degree Enrollment: Other
- Other Purpose of Enrollment: Other
For details see KU Graduate Application Details and screenshots. Applicants will use the online application system to upload documents (personal statement, copy of transcript).
Official transcripts with security can sometimes be challenging to upload. Please make a copy of your current transcript and upload a pdf file. We will accept unofficial transcripts in the application process, but official transcripts are required for formal admittance to the program.
There is a 2-page limit for the personal statement, which is to be uploaded to the online application system. It should address the following questions:
- What are your career goals?
- Why are you interested in pursuing a PhD? Describe any undergraduate training such as research experience, leadership or outreach activities that have prepared or motivated you to pursue this goal.
- What do you feel are your strengths as a candidate for KU PREP and, ultimately, for a PhD program? Are there any weaknesses or deficiencies in your academic or research experience that can be addressed or strengthened by your participation in KU PREP?
- Please include other information that you would like KU PREP to consider, including significant challenges in meeting academic and career goals or a description of challenges that you have overcome in your life.
These supplemental questions (400 word limit) are included in the online application:
- Identify four PhD programs that you plan to apply to. For each institution or program, describe the criteria that you used to make these choices. The PhD programs you choose can be at KU and/or other institutions.
- Select four University of Kansas faculty whom you are interested in working with. Provide a brief description of why their research is of interest to you and how working in their lab would help you reach your career goals. Review the list of departments that participate in PREP on Find a Mentor before selecting potential mentors.
Please identify two individuals who can provide you with letters of recommendation. Your recommenders will need to submit the letters through a link provided by the Graduate Admissions application system.
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