XVII. Transfer Students

A. Transfer Student Requirements

All transfer applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The student’s profile must meet the criteria of the CMB Program and be of similar quality as students who were admitted with the previous round of CMB applicants

  • The student must currently conduct research in the lab of a CMB trainer OR must intend to conduct research in the lab of a CMB trainer (In all cases, transfer students will be considered Direct Admit students. See Direct Admit section of the CMB Handbook)

  • If the student intends on conducting research in the lab of a non-CMB trainer, the professor must first apply to be a CMB trainer

    • Trainer applications will be reviewed during the specified trainer review dates, November & May (see the Forms section of the CMB website for trainer applications)

    • If the professor is accepted as a CMB trainer, and the student meets the CMB transfer student criteria, the student may conduct research in the lab as a CMB student

    • If the professor is not accepted as a CMB trainer, the student may not conduct research in that lab as a CMB student 

B. Application Materials

All transfer applicants must submit the following materials to the CMB Coordinator, Michelle Holland (413 Bock Labs) to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee:

  • A copy of their original Graduate School application forms (online application, GRE/TOEFL score reports, personal statement, letters of recommendation)

  • A current Graduate School transcript

  • A description of previous laboratory experience, reasons for transfer, and a brief description of future projects

  • A letter from the prospective advisor stating the following:

    • Reason for transfer

    • The applicant’s qualifications

    • Brief description of research projects

    • Commitment of financial support at the current CMB stipend rate

    • Justification why CMB is the preferred option instead of the prospective advisor’s home department graduate program

C. Procedure

Please determine which one of the following transfer categories applies and follow the corresponding procedure:

MD/PhD Transfer:

  • Submit all required application materials to Michelle Holland, CMB Coordinator (413 Bock Labs) during the spring of the second year of Medical School

  • Only three credits from Medical School courses can be applied toward the CMB curriculum course requirements

  • On a case-by-case basis only, the CMB Coordinating Committee will review any specific requests for course substitutions or credit waivers

Student is Currently Enrolled in a Different UW-Madison Masters or PhD Graduate Program and has not yet Received a Degree:

  • Submit all required application materials to Michelle Holland, the CMB Program Coordinator (413 Bock Labs)

Student has Received a Masters Degree from a Different UW-Madison Graduate Program Within the Past Year:

  • Submit all required application materials, EXCLUDING the Change/Addition of Major Form, to Michelle Holland, CMB Program Coordinator (413 Bock Labs)

  • Please see Michelle Holland, CMB Program Coordinator for specific info on submitting a re-entry application

Student Seeks to Transfer in with a Professor who is new to UW -Madison and is not Currently a CMB trainer:

  • The professor should apply to be a trainer during the specified trainer application dates:

    • In April for review at the May Coordinating Committee Meeting

    • In October for review at the November Coordinating Committee Meeting

  • If the professor is accepted as a CMB trainer, the student is then eligible to apply for transfer into the CMB Program

  • The student should submit all required application materials to Michelle Holland, CMB Coordinator (413 Bock Labs)

  • The professor must become a CMB trainer and the Admissions Chair must approve the student's transfer application materials in order for the admission to be finalized

  • If the professor does not become a CMB trainer, the student is not a member of the CMB Program and should contact the professor's corresponding department for further opportunities


D. Results

  • The Admissions Committee will:

    • Grant or deny admission based on information provided

    • Or request clarification at the committee’s discretion

  • The Admissions Chair will send an official letter to the student notifying them of the outcome of their transfer request

  • If admission is accepted, the student must:

    • Complete all course requirements and yearly progress requirements as listed in the CMB Timeline for Progress Towards the PhD Degree

    • Form a Thesis Committee, for more information see Thesis Committee section of the CMB Handbook

    • Meet with the Thesis Committee to determine coursework that will fulfill the 11 credit CMB Course Requirements

    • If the Thesis Committee requests an exemption for coursework, the course(s) will be presented to the Chair of the Curriculum Committee for consideration

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