GRADUATE STUDIES

Are you interested in becoming a graduate student in the Peterson lab (i.e., MGEL)?

If so, please follow the official application process described below.

PROCEDURE

1. Applicants wishing to pursue graduate study in the Peterson lab must take the General GREs (Graduate Requirement Examinations).  See http://www.gre.com/edindex.html for details. 

2. Students from nations in which English is not the primary spoken/written language are required to take the TOEFL (Testing of English as a Foreign Language) Exams.  Information of the TOEFL exams can be obtained at http://www.toefl.com.

3. Once GRE (and TOEFL exams, if applicable) have been taken, go to the MS State Office of Graduate Studies website.  Online and downloadable application forms can be accessed by selecting the Admissions link in the web menu.  Alternatively, one can go directly to the applications page via the hyperlink http://www.msstate.edu/dept/grad/admissions/.  At the top of the screen under the header there are four tabs - Graduate Domestic, Graduate Unclassified, Graduate International, and Graduate Readmissions.  Select the tab that most appropriately describes your application status.

4. Select either "Apply Online" or "Apply by Mail."  If you choose the former option, you will be asked to set up a MyBanner account with Mississippi State University.  Open up the online application or the PDF version.  Fill out Section I according to instructions.

5. In Section II of the application, you will see the following question:

Major Field you wish to study _________________________

Dr. Peterson is a member of the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences (PSS) at MS State.  You must either enter "Plant Science," "Agronomy," and/or "Horticulture" in the blank if you want to make sure that Dr. Peterson receives your application.  This does not mean that you will be obliged to do agronomy or horticulture research, but it will make sure that the application is directed to the Dept. of Plant & Soil Sciences.

6. Immediately next to the "Major Field" line is the "Subspecialty" line.

Subspecialty (minor): ____________________

7. To ensure that your application reaches Dr. Peterson, write/type in one or more of the following words (depending upon your interests): Genomics, Bioinformatics, Cytogenetics, or Genetics.  To be extra-sure that your application is sent to Dr. Peterson, express this wish in your application background/objectives statement.

8. You can choose to apply for either the "Masters of Science" (M.S.) or "Doctor of Philosophy" (Ph.D.) program.

9.  If you fill out the application online, you can submit it electronically.  If you print out an application and fill it in, send it to the following address:

Office of Admissions
P.O. Box G
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762-5507