IPN Admissions FAQ

All applications for admission are reviewed individually, and admission to the program is on a competitive basis. Students are selected on the basis of academic records, recommendations, research experience and publications, and interviews with faculty members of the program.

If you have questions about the competitiveness of your application, please contact us at ipn@georgetown.edu.

The IPN does not require a GRE for entry into the program. GRE scores are not considered in the IPN admissions process.

Students interested in applying to the Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Ph.D. in Psychology can read the detailed comparison between the programs.

We do not accept students directly into a research laboratory. Students are accepted into the program first and complete three research rotations before committing to a laboratory. For more information on the process of applying, please visit our Admissions page.

Alternatively, if you are seeking only lab experience (not as a program applicant), you may search the Georgetown University jobs website for positions. General lab positions (not for students) usually entail a two-year employment commitment from the employee, and would preclude applying to the IPN during the term of employment.

• The Academic Statement of Purpose is required
• The Neuroscience Supplemental Information is required
• The Cognitive Science Concentration writing is only required if you are applying for a Cognitive Science Concentration
• The Optional Statement (Diversity, Personal Background, and Contributions) is not required

We recommended that you follow the rule set up by the graduate school, but your application will not be rejected for an essay with more than 500 words.

All applicants must submit applications on December 1 for summer admission the following year. However, if an accepted applicant wishes to defer admission for one year, arrangements can potentially be arranged during the spring interviews.

The program accepts between six to 10 students in each entering class.

The Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience does not offer a master’s degree program. Only applicants intending to complete the Ph.D. program of study should apply.

Ph.D. students can apply for a master’s in passing upon completion of the necessary requirements. Contact the chair of the Student Advisory Committee for specifics.

If you wish to earn a master’s degree, please visit the one-year Georgetown M.S. in Integrative Neuroscience.

The IPN Student Government holds student-only social events. The department hosts a student/faculty mixer social event once a month. Many students also study together and maintain group texts within their cohort to keep up to date with information. Visit our X, Instagram and Facebook pages to see some of our student activities and events.

Limited application fee waivers may be available. View information about the application fee.

International applicants who are selected to enter the IPN should reach out to Office of Global Services and International Student & Scholar Services for critical deadlines and mandatory orientation events if they are selected to enter into the program.

See the IPN International Students section for more information.

A virtual tour of some of our IPN facilities is available, on the About the IPN page. We also invite you to attend one of our info sessions, and meet with Biomedical Graduate Education to learn more about the university.