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How to Apply for Graduate Admission

To The Department of Food Science

Please apply online using the UW Graduate School’s electronic application.

Applications (for both MS and PhD programs) should be complete and all materials received by the following deadlines:

  • Fall Semester – January 15th
  • Spring Semester – September 1st

Please note: There is no difference in deadline for international students.

Application Procedure

Step 1

Apply online to the Graduate School.

Your online application includes:

  • Three Letters of Recommendation: Letters should address your potential for academic success in graduate school
  • Reasons for graduate study: 1-3 pages, double-spaced:
    Please detail your educational and professional background in fields such as: food science, dairy science, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, microbiology or any biological sciences.
  • Upload unofficial transcripts showing grades earned at every college or university you have attended, including study abroad.
  • Upload current resume or CV (if applicable) with honors/awards in PDF format.
  • Supplemental application embedded in the application.
    • Fill out the questions
    • Identify and rank the faculty members with whom you are most interested in working with.
    • Upload 150 word summary highlighting educational and professional achievement in PDF format (Detail your educational and professional background in fields such as Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Microbiology, or any biological sciences).

Step 2

English Proficiency Requirements.
  • Use institutional code 1846 (there is no department code used).

    The minimum TOEFL / IELTS/ MELAB scores required to be eligible to be admissible to the graduate program are the following:
TOEFLiBT (internet-based test) 92Paper 580
Duolingo Minimum 125 (Effective Spring 2025)
IELTSMinimum 7.0
  • IELTS test scores may be submitted electronically or by paper score sheets directly from the British Testing Council. (only one method of delivery is required for IELTS).

    Mail to: Graduate Program Coordinator
    Dept. of Food Science
    1605 Linden Drive
    Madison, WI 53706
  • See the Graduate School Requirements page for more information on requirements and how to submit official test scores.

Step 3

If recommended for admission by a faculty member, official transcripts will be requested by the UW Graduate School through the status check page. (Transcripts uploaded into the application will be used for applicant review purposes only).

Step 4

After applicants have submitted their online application, they should contact faculty members directly (via email) to discuss research opportunities in their labs.

Apply Now!

Things to Remember

  • To be considered for scholarship/funding awards, completed applications must be received by January 15th for Fall admission. (Scholarships/funding awards are typically only available for Fall admissions.)
  • Applicants are recommended for admission into the department if a faculty member agrees to accept the candidate into his or her research lab/group and to provide laboratory/desk space. Final acceptance to the university is subject to approval by the Graduate School.
  • Faculty members soley make decisions and recommendations on whether or not to offer research assistantships to candidates.
  • Applicants need to be proactive and contact faculty members with whom they are interested in studying. There is no listing of recruiting vacancies. Applicants should contact each faculty member directly to inquire about possible lab openings, funding opportunities, research projects, etc. Admission to the department does not occur without a recommendation from the faculty member to be part of their research lab. Some faculty may not have lab openings in a given semester.
    Consider the possibility of studying something you may not have peviously considered if another faculty member has openings in their lab.
  • All applications should be submitted online by the application deadline date. All application materials including recommendations and official test scores should have arrived by two weeks after the application deadline. Late applications will not be considered for review.
Please contact the Graduate Coordinator with any questions:

E-mail: foodsci_grad_program@mailplus.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-6388