How to apply for a Ph.D. Student position in immunology or stem cell biology?

Answer 1

It depends on the country. In most European universities, one usually interviews directly with a professor.

In the USA, it depends on your background. If you are trying to get into a top tier program, you need to demonstrate that you already have significant research experience (undergraduate thesis, worked as a tech after graduating or both) and a publication of any type will help. The other big factor is good letters of recommendation which you get by doing the above. Good GRE and subject GRE scores help but don't mean much at the top schools. As you move down to second and lower tier schools, the previous research requirement goes down while grades and test scores become more useful.

Your undergraduate adviser can tell you what type of schools you should apply to depending on your grades, test scores and experience. If you are really ambitious, you can take a few years to work as a lab technician and try to apply later to a big name program.

Answer 2

I have had a lot of Friends do their PhD and they all tell me you need to be 'sponsored' by a professor that is doing research in the area you are interested in. To apply for a PhD program you need to know the professors in the department you want to apply to. If you are going to do your PhD at a different school than the one you graduated from with your Masters then contact the new schools Bio department and begin correspondence with some professors and grad students who work in areas you are interested in.

Answer 3

Take your GRE, then fill out a Graduate School application to the University (that has the program) you want to attend.