Because most graduate degrees are awarded for original research, any leg-up you can get in research methods can be an advantage. Exposure to the real world of a biological research laboratory is an invaluable experience. Getting to know the faculty will help you secure an undergraduate research experience in that faculty member's laboratory. Undergraduate research is an invaluable experience that will help prepare you for graduate school. Faculty are a crucial resource for advice and information about graduate programs and preparation.
Faculty are an important source of letters of recommendation.
The better they know you, the more they can write an informed letter of recommendation. The Division of Biological Sciences displays information about graduate programs in the BLC hallway of BioSciences. Individual departments in the division offer similar information. You can secure additional advice from your major advisor and the Graduate Coordinators in each of the division departments. The Graduate Coordinator is the person who administers the graduate program of that department, and together with a graduate studies committee, handles admission to the program.