We aim to recruit students from a variety of backgrounds including biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, and mathematics, who will work together to forge a new approach to biology that combines theoretical and experimental approaches. The typical student has a strong background in one of the disciplines relevant to Systems Biology and an interest in interdisciplinary research.
Please refer to the GSAS Admissions Page for further information on applying. Some of the most important details are noted here for your convenience.
Requirements
We require on-line submission of the application. Applicants should submit a scanned copy of their transcript(s) online. Official hard copy transcripts will be requested when the applicant is admitted and accepts the offer of admission. TOEFL scores should be sent to Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences code R-3451. GRE scores will no longer be required as of June 2018.
Applicants must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from an institution of recognized standing (either a three or four year undergraduate degree).
Applying to more than one HILS Program
The Systems Biology Program is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. HILS will accommodate the submission up to three applications to its member programs under a single $105.00 application fee (a reminder--this fee must be paid by credit card). You may request a fee waiver form by e-mailing the GSAS Office of Admissions at admiss@fas.harvard.edu or the Office of Diversity and Minority Affairs at minrec@fas.harvard.edu. All online candidates submitting multiple applications should follow the instructions on the online system. Each application must be unique, containing a separate Statement of Purpose for each program applied to as well as separate copies of transcripts, recommendations, and test scores.
Faculty contact/interests
Please be sure to list faculty that interest you as part of the online application. Students are not required to contact any faculty in advance, but are welcome to.
Interview and campus visit
Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee during December and early January. Selected applicants are then notified if they have been chosen for an on campus interview. The campus visits will be held on one of two weekends (January 25 -28 2018 or February 8 - 11, 2018). These visits provide students with the opportunity to meet with faculty and current students and to get a better feel for our community and the types of research conducted here. Applicants invited for an interview who reside overseas and cannot visit the Harvard campus may interview via Skype or telephone.
Our current students have also authored a blog post about what to expect in grad school interviews.