1. Should I apply?
2. I’m an International Student. Should I apply?
3. Can I get an MD/PhD at MIT?
4. Can I transfer to MIT from another graduate program?
5. Does it matter if I'm a chemist, physicist, or mathematician rather than a biologist?
6. How much research experience do I need?
7. How soon can I get into a lab?
8. Is MIT's Graduate Program in Biology highly ranked?
9. What fields are covered in the Biology Graduate Program?
10. Isn't MIT a very high-powered, hyper-competitive place?
    

Should I apply?
All interested students are encouraged to apply. The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students is 3.62, and the average GRE's are:
     Verbal (650; 88%),
     Quantitative (738; 87%), and
     Analytical (735; 90%).

Applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents should see the next question.

I’m an international student. Should I apply?
We're very interested in qualified applicants from outside the U.S., but there are two issues that international applicants should consider in deciding whether to apply. First, fluency in spoken and written English is essential. We judge fluency in several ways, including scores on the verbal GRE (average 650) and TOEFL (required minimum 600) exams. Second, admission is somewhat more competitive for international than domestic applicants because of funding limitations. Unfortunately, MIT can not waive the application fee for international applicants.

Can I get an MD/PhD at MIT?
You can only get the PhD part but it's part of a really good program for MD/PhD students. Most of our MD/PhD students come from the Harvard MD/PhD or Harvard/MIT HST programs but we're happy to consider students from other programs as well.

Can I transfer to MIT from another graduate program?
Yes, although it's not common. If you have been in another program for one year or less and wish to transfer, you will need to apply for regular admissions, to get letters of recommendation from faculty at your current school, and to indicate in the personal statement your reasons for transferring. If you have additional questions about transferring, please email Prof. Stephen P. Bell (spbell at mit.edu).

Does it matter if I'm a chemist, physicist, or mathematician rather than a biologist?
Yes, it means that we're really interested in you! Our program is designed for students with diverse backgrounds, and students who have majored in chemistry, physics, and mathematics as undergraduates have done extremely well here.

How much research experience do I need?
Most incoming students have worked in a lab before. Graduate education involves extensive training in research however, so students without experience can learn quickly. It's important in general to have a strong commitment to research.

How soon can I get into a lab?
Lab rotations start at the beginning of the 2nd semester, and students join labs and begin their thesis research in early May of the first year. Course work is typically finished in the first year.

Is MIT's Graduate Program in Biology highly ranked?
Our department and graduate program have been consistently ranked in the top 5 (often 1st) in the rankings published by the National Academy of Sciences and by US News and World Reports. There are a number of excellent graduate programs, however, and what really matters is finding the one that fits your interests and needs.

What fields are covered in the Biology Graduate Program?
There are an enormous number of research opportunities ranging from problems defined at the atomic and molecular levels to those of development, physiology, neurobiology, and human health. For more detailed information, see Research Programs.

Isn't MIT a very intense, hyper-competitive place?
Intense, yes. Hyper-competitive, no. Our students and faculty work hard and take education and research seriously, but most are also normal, well-rounded people. Most newcomers find the atmosphere here to be one of excitement, collaboration, and support, not competition.

More questions and answers are in the Graduate Program Overview section.