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. The admissions deadline for the 2010-2011 academic year is December 8, 2009.
  2. 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.
  3. Whenever possible, applicants should submit a scanned student copy of their transcript(s) online. 
  4. GRE and TOEFL scores should be sent to Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences code R-3451.
  5. Official transcripts should be mailed to:
       Harvard University
       Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
       Office of Admissions
       P.O. Box 9129
       Cambridge, MA 02238-9129

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.

Summer Internship Programs

Harvard offers several summer intership opportunities which may be of interest to prospective applicants.