Admissions

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.

The Systems Biology Program is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary 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.

  1. We require on-line submission of the application. The only materials we will accept in paper form are official transcripts and official GRE and TOEFL scores.Please make it clear that you’re interested in the Systems Biology PhD Program 8900.
  2. You can request a paper application here or by writing to:
       Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
       1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Holyoke Center 350
       Cambridge, MA 02138-3654

Online applications for a given year are updated and become available during Fall. The admissions deadline for the 2008-2009 academic year is Friday, December 7, 2007.

Interviews will be conducted in late January or early February. Final decisions concerning admission are made by the dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and candidates are notified by letter from the Admissions Office.

Financial Support

All students accepted into the program are awarded full support, including a stipend, full tuition, and health fees. Students can apply for outside fellowships from the National Science Foundation, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, or the Hertz or Ford Foundations. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for these fellowships in their senior year of undergraduate study.

MD/Ph.D. Program at Harvard Medical School

Students admitted to Harvard Medical School as candidates for the MD degree may also apply for admission to the Systems Biology program in order to earn a PhD degree in systems biology.

This program may be of particular interest to prospective medical students with a strong theoretical background and to students enrolled in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.