Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences

About the school

With $50 million in funding from the W M Keck Foundation, Henry E. Riggs established the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) - Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences in 1997 as Claremont Colleges' newest member. The mission was to produce scientists and engineers capable of translating scientific discoveries into real-world applications to improve people’s health.

KGI prides itself on being the only graduate institution in the country focused on application-based scientific research and education, paving the way for fundamental research to be translated into real-world solutions.

The Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences has over 1,000 notable alums who substantially influence the healthcare and life sciences industries. Some notable KGI alumni include Shwan Waldron (VP at Illumina) and Amit Roy Chowdhary (CEO at Sirenas Medical). Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Science is located in Claremont, around 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Where is the school located?

Life at the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences

KGI provides students with a broad range of services on campus and via Claremont Colleges Services. The Chan Family Café offers food vending machines with fresh coffee from a self-service machine and refrigerated dispensers with sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, and more.

The Claremont library and bookshop fulfil the academic needs of all Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences students. The Gayle Carson Riggs Student Centre, which opened in 2019, provides a highly relaxing environment with features such as pool tables, foosball, a kitchen, TVs, and comfortable seating, transforming it into a second home for KGI students. Furthermore, the institute has collaborated with Foothill Transit, allowing students to commute about town easily using the Foothill Transit Class Pass, which grants free rides on local and Silver Streak buses.

Other transportation options at the facility include: Claremont Transit District (CTD) provides buses with stops near campus, allowing for car-free transportation Biking: The city is bike-friendly, with trails and stations near the university for convenient riding Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are available for easy and convenient travel

The Keck Graduate Institute provides on-campus housing in the LEED Gold-certified Oasis KGI Commons. It offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with fully furnished kitchens, living areas, and private bathrooms. The complex's amenities include a swimming pool, a fitness centre, laundry facilities, and study lounges. Moreover, KGI students can participate in a lottery for Claremont Colleges Graduate Housing, which consists of apartments, houses, and townhouses within walking distance of KGI. The price of on-campus housing varies by residence type and number of bedrooms.

Additional benefits of studying at the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences

The Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences at KGI focuses on preparing students for successful careers by emphasising entrepreneurship and connecting them with industry professionals. Through hands-on learning, faculty members help students connect with innovative research and industrial opportunities. KGI's programmes adhere to the highest professional standards established by ACPE, CAPE Outcomes, and the NAPLEX Blueprint, ensuring top-quality education.

Another primary additional benefit is The Student Success Fund. Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) started this project in Spring 2019 to assist students who face unforeseen challenges on their road to graduation. Students receive assistance for unexpected emergencies, significant life events, and extra support in general. The institution helps students overcome obstacles and concentrate on their path towards successful life sciences and healthcare jobs.

Admissions criteria

A graduate applicant aspiring to study at Keck Graduate Institute - Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences must meet the following criteria:

• Undergraduate degree from a reputed university with a GPA of 2.75 and above
• A personal statement written by the applicant
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation from an employer or academic connection
• Undergraduate transcripts, translated into English
• Standardised test scores from either the GRE, GMAT or MCAT
• Proof of proficiency in English: TOEFL-80, IELTS-6.5, PTE-65
• Fee and other expenses:
• Application fee: Approximately $75
• Tuition and fees for international students: Approximately $41,810/year
• Health service/health insurance - Approximately $2568
• Average living expenses that include food, books/course materials, and housing and transportation: Approximately $21,618

Job placements

The Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences is committed to ensuring the success of its students beyond the classroom. With a focus on real-world applications and industry collaboration, KGI offers many resources to guide students on their career paths.

According to the KGI Career Services Office, Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) graduates have a 95% job placement rate six months after graduating.

Amgen, Gilead Sciences, CVS Health, Genentech, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Kite Pharma, Illumina, Kaiser Permanente, Biocon, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals are among the top healthcare and life sciences companies hiring pass-outs from Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences.

KGI graduates earn roughly $85,000 on average, depending on jobs and businesses. This is especially true for healthcare and life sciences master's degree holders. KGI also offers paid or unpaid part-time administrative, research, and teaching assistant opportunities.

KGI gives students comprehensive career support, including access to Handshake, academic tutors, academic success seminars, and board exam review sources.

The institute also provides internships and part-time jobs in applied life sciences, business, pharmacy, engineering, and genetics.