Admission Requirements & Eligibility
"I met some amazing people! Everyone was so kind and supportive. I felt very welcome
at Augusta University." - STAR participant
Admission Requirements
A complete application file consists of the following:
- STAR Application (there is no application fee)
- Transcripts from every college or university attended or attending
- Competitive applicants have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Unofficial transcripts are accepted
- Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded via your applicant portal
- The STAR program reserves the right to request/require an official transcript
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- At least one recommendation must be submitted from a current or recent professor in
courses related to the area in which you are applying [science, math/statistics or
nursing]. If you have previous research experience, it is strongly advised that your
research mentor submits a letter of recommendation.
After you submit your application, you will receive an email with directions to:
- log in to your application status portal
- upload your unofficial transcripts
- submit the names and current email addresses for 2 individuals that you have asked
to serve as your recommenders
Once you submit the contact information, each recommender will receive an email notification
directing them to the online site where they can complete their recommendation. If
you need to change a recommender, you can log back into the applicant status portal
to do so.
Eligibility
“I think the way the STAR program exposes undergraduate students to the opportunities of graduate school is amazing.”
– STAR participant
To be eligible to participate in the STAR program, applicants must:
- be 18 years of age or older by the start of the STAR session.
- have an interest in pursuing a PhD degree. The focus of the program is to prepare
participants for research careers, not a clinical career.
- be currently enrolled in an undergraduate Bachelor's degree program.
- have completed at least their sophomore year by the start of the Summer 2026 session.
Applicants who have already graduated from their undergraduate college or will be
graduating in Spring 2026 are not eligible for the Summer 2026 session.
- have proof of current Health Insurance Coverage that extends throughout the STAR program.
- be available to attend the entire summer session.
- be a United States Citizen (or hold permanent resident status) or an international
student currently enrolled in US college/university holding a student non-immigrant
visa.
- have current social security number/card for employment purposes.
- have completed relevant course work at the undergraduate level for their area of STAR
program interest, as follows:
- BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES: although no specific courses are required, competitive applicants will have taken
STEM courses.
- BIOSTATISTICS: competitive applicants will have taken at least one calculus course, a calculus-based
linear algebra course, an elementary statistics course, and have basic computer programming
knowledge.
- NURSING: currently enrolled in a BSN program and taking BSN courses.
Acceptance into the program is on a competitive basis. The members of the STAR program
committee, the Dean of The Graduate School and/or the Director of the STAR program
are responsible for all final decisions.
Dates & Deadlines
| Application Opens |
September 1, 2025 |
| Application Deadline |
February 6, 2026 |
| Document Receipt Deadline |
February 13, 2026 |
| STAR 2025 Session |
June 1 - July 31, 2026 |
Apply Now
The Graduate School
The Graduate School at Augusta University facilitates ground-breaking research and
ensures outstanding education. We create an environment that embraces and empowers
the next generation of scholars and investigators, supports faculty and staff, and
fosters meaningful relationships and collaborations among students across our programs
and colleges.
Explore More