Is there an application fee?
Yes, the fee is $50. The application fee is set by the University and paid with the general graduate application.
Do you offer fee waivers?
Yes, fee waivers are offered to applicants who attend our online open house on Saturday, October 18th, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm Eastern Standard Time.
Does the department offer financial support?
Students in good standing are provided full tuition, health care benefits and stipend support for living expenses through teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships.
Students are welcome and encouraged to apply for fellowships available through the Office for Graduate Studies or federal agencies (I.e. NSF, NIH, DOE, etc.) to supplement or substitute for the standard funding, which can often allow for additional focus on research and a reduction in the time required to complete the degree.
Can I have a Faculty Research Advisor before applying to the program?
No, students in our graduate program are not allowed to join research groups until the second semester of their first year in the program. We do not recommend that applicants reach out to faculty to ask them if you can join their group; they cannot and will not accept you into their group until you are admitted and matriculate into the program in your first year. Individual faculty do not make admissions decisions.
I am an international student, are there additional application requirements?
The Chemistry Department values a diverse student population and welcomes applications from international students. The College of Arts and Sciences sets minimum English proficiency requirements for admission for international students whose native language is not English, or for whom the official language of the country of origin is not English.
All international academic records must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal and complete versions of original records, and the documents must be translated by a university, a government official, or an official translation service. Students who are applying from Indian institutions must send both their Certificate and Mark Sheets.
What is the minimum GPA for admission?
Undergrad GPA should be 3.0/4.0 or higher.
What are the minimum English Proficiency scores for admission?
TOEFL scores (applicable to international students whose language of instruction is not English) should be 21 for reading, 15 for listening, 24 for speaking and 25 for writing. The TOEFL composite score should be at least 85. The minimum IELTS scores should be 6.5 for reading, 6.0 for listening, 7.5 for speaking, and 6.5 for writing. The IELTS band score should be at least 6.5. The overall Duolingo minimum requirement it 115. For more detailed information regarding the English Proficiency requirements, including information on English Language waivers, please refer to the Graduate Admissions English Language Policy located here.
I missed the deadline for application. Can I still apply?
Applications received after the Jan. 1 deadline for admission may be reviewed and considered for admission if space permits; however, the applicant may not be eligible for special scholarships or fellowships offered by the University and Department. International students must consider important dates for the issuance of immigration documents.
Do all supporting documents need to be submitted by the deadline date?
Supporting documents, for example letters of recommendation, may be submitted after the deadline; however, preference is given to applicants whose files are complete by the application due date. Submission of documents after the deadline may exclude your application from eligibility for special scholarships or fellowships offered by the University and Department.
Is a master's degree required for applying to the PhD program?
No. Students applying to the PhD programs must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline by the semester in which they want to begin their graduate program. A Master’s degree is not required, with one exception. Due to differences in the educational system in India, applicants who have received their degree from an institution in India must have also completed a Master's degree. (4-year degrees, usually Biotechnology degrees, from India are considered equivalent to a 4-year BS degree and do not require an accompanying Master’s degree.)
How many students will you admit this year?
The class size for any given year will be determined by faculty demand for new students and varies from year to year.
Do I need to send official transcripts to both the College and the Department?
Applicants are asked to submit an electronic copy of their unofficial transcripts as part of the application, which will be used for review and admissions purposes. Official transcripts must be provided before you start if you are accepted to the program. Please do not mail your official transcript or any documents to the Chemistry Department. Official transcripts should be mailed directly to the College of Arts and Sciences.
Where can I find the form for recommendation letters?
There is no form for recommendation letters; they are submitted electronically. Within the Supplemental Application you will provide email addresses for your recommendation writers. An email will then be sent to each recommender with instructions on how to submit a letter in support of your application. We can only accept letters of recommendation that are submitted electronically using our system.
Which professors are actively recruiting students? Should I contact individual professors about their research group?
Professors' group requirements change constantly and we are not able to provide a list of actively recruiting faculty. However, all students, whichever professor they eventually work for, must first apply to and be accepted into the program. Individual professors do not make decisions regarding admissions and should not be contacted with admission inquiries. Professors will often discuss research projects by email with enthusiastic applicants.
Is there a special form to complete for financial support via a graduate assistantship?
There is no additional paperwork to complete for a Graduate Assistantship.
How can I check the status of my application?
The general application can be checked through your login to Enrollment Rx.
When will a decision be made on my application?
The Graduate Recruiting and Admissions Committee will begin their review of applications close to the deadline. Due to the number of applications received, it may take up to 6 weeks before notices are sent. The Admissions Committee appreciates your patience while they carefully review each applicant's qualification for our graduate programs.
Does Lehigh offer an MS degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry?
The Chemistry Department is not admitting students for independent MS degrees.
Is on-campus housing available?
Graduate student housing is available on campus and off-campus within close proximity of the university.
Is the GRE required?
No. Following national trends, we no longer consider GRE scores because there is no correlation between the scores and success in science graduate programs.