Welcome to the essential guide for navigating the Ph.D. application process within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Chicago. This resource outlines all the necessary details on required application materials, deadlines, and specific departmental expectations for prospective doctoral candidates.
Apply to the Chemistry Graduate Program
There will be two information sessions on November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM (Chicago/Central time) and November 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM (Chicago/Central time). Learn more about our PhD program in Chemistry and the application process. Both sessions will cover identical information. When you sign up, the RSVP confirmation email will contain information about how to log in to the info session. Attendees of the sessions will receive a fee waiver code after the session.
Completing the Application
A completed application requires 1.) undergraduate transcripts (one official copy from each institution attended) and 2.) three letters of recommendation.
Important Reminders for Applicants
The following statements supersede contradictory entries in any printed materials:
- This year's deadline for applications is Monday, December 1st, 2025.
- The Application Fee is $90. Please note that this fee can be waivered if the applicant falls in one of several categories listed at the following link. In addition, if the fee represents a financial burden, mechanisms to waive are noted in the application and processed following submission.
- When applying online you will be asked to list faculty of interest before submitting your application. Read about the research interests of our faculty on their faculty profiles.
- Students wishing to transfer to UChicago from another US institution must submit, in addition to letters and transcripts from their undergraduate institution, a transcript and two letters of recommendation from faculty at the graduate institution they are leaving. One of the two letters should be from the research sponsor if the student has already begun research.
- Applicants who do not meet the waiver criteria for Proof of English Language Proficiency must follow the instructions to submit relevant test scores. Only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic tests are accepted as proof of proficiency. The Department of Chemistry requires a minimum TOEFL score of 90 overall or a minimum IELTS scores of 7.0 overall. TOEFL or IELTS score reports are valid for two years and scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to the application deadline. Please see UChicagoGRAD’s page for complete details.
- GRE test scores are encouraged.
- Students must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the University of Chicago in order to meet the degree requirements to earn a PhD in this program. Note that international students on F-1 and J-1 visas are normally eligible for on-campus employment. For International applicants, please see this information.
Not finding the information you need? Contact: Lilia Johnson, Administrator of Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Affairs.
We are excited to welcome the next generation of talented researchers to the University of Chicago, and we hope you'll consider making our department your academic home.