How Do I Apply?

Applying to the Biological Engineering PhD program

Thank you for your interest in MIT BE – we want to receive your application! This page explains the application process and provides information specific to our program that you may use to strengthen your application. Our intensive evaluation process begins with your electronic application folder and proceeds through an on-site interview.

Many domestic and international applicants with interests in quantitative and applied biological research at MIT also consider the PhD programs in Computational and Systems Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, and Health Science and Technology. MIT allows applications to more than one program in the same year, and we recommend that applicants indicate all the programs they are applying to on their BE application to maximize their chances for a successful match.

We at MIT BE believe that our diverse, welcoming, and collaborative community fosters the most effective environment for training students to lead world-class research. To maintain and further strengthen our technical excellence and culture, we depend on continuing to receive applications from individuals with a passion for rigorous research at the cutting edge of our discipline that represent a broad range of academic and personal backgrounds. From 2019-2022, we invited applicants from 64 different undergraduate institutions holding and expecting bachelors degrees in many different disciplines to interview for admission. Of applicants invited to interview from 2019-2022, about 52% self-identified as female, and more than 18% self-identified as underrepresented minorities (as defined by MIT). Many students join the program immediately after completing their undergraduate studies, while others have already received advanced degrees or acquired post-baccalaureate professional experience.

The guidance below is intended to help prospective students understand the aspects of academic preparation and experience that poise applicants for success in the MIT BE PhD program and how they can best present this information effectively in the application materials. This guidance is not intended to describe any “ideal” application profile or minimum standards for admission (no quantitative standards exist). Every complete application received is reviewed holistically by BE faculty.

Application to MIT BE is highly competitive, with fewer than 5% of applicants receiving an offer to interview (we offer admission to the majority of interviewees). Applicants holding international undergraduate degrees may apply, and such applicants received about 3% of the interview offers made from 2019-2022. Interview offers are communicated asynchronously to applicants in January and February each year.

Evaluation of applications for PhD study in BE particularly focuses on:

• Evidence of strong academic preparation and demonstrated interest in both a quantitative discipline and a biological discipline
• Evidence of aptitude for and experience/accomplishment in scientific or engineering research
• Explanation of interest in pursuing a career that leverages PhD-level training in Biological Engineering under the guidance of an MIT BE faculty advisor

Academic preparation. Success in the challenging coursework and research components of the MIT BE PhD program requires a strong academic background in both biology and quantitative engineering or science. While many successful applicants hold undergraduate engineering degrees and have completed substantial coursework in biology, there are different ways to demonstrate the academic preparation needed. Applicants whose principal degree is quantitative, computational, engineering, or in the physical sciences can bolster their training in biology by taking core biology courses like biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology. Applicants whose principal degree is in a life science field can acquire quantitative training in courses beyond calculus, biostatistics, and programming/informatics such as differential equations, linear algebra, and advanced courses in probability, statistics, analysis, and computer science.

Understanding that every applicant’s personal and college experience is unique and that grading practices differ, BE has no minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement. However, essentially all applicants receiving an interview offer have a GPA in the A range (>3.6 on an A = 4.0 scale), and from 2019-2022 the median GPA of interviewees was 3.94. Many applicants with GPAs >3.9 do not receive interview invitations. Our holistic evaluation process strongly considers factors other than GPA that applicants choose to emphasize.

Research experience. MIT BE PhD students spend most of their time in the program conducting research in partnership with faculty advisors. Bringing impactful research to fruition is difficult, and most successful applicants describe a strong track record of research experience and accomplishment. At the same time, we recognize that the nature of accessible research projects and opportunities to publish varies widely across applicants’ experiences. We value the skills and personal characteristics important for success in research – including initiative, creativity, and determination – evidenced by any type of work or personal experience. As a result, there are no specific requirements for the duration or number of research experiences, publications, or awards resulting from the research. In fact some applicants invited to interview have not yet published their research. Successful applicants focus on why they selected the projects and mentors they chose to commit time with, what they did in their major project experiences, and the outcomes of the work including results of the projects themselves and how the experiences influenced the applicant’s evolving academic and career interests.

Applicant statement. This application component is a free-form opportunity to introduce yourself in writing to the admissions committee, explain your interest in Biological Engineering at MIT, and contextualize other application components including your academic record, research experience, and letters of recommendation. The admissions committee wants to hear why you are passionate about PhD-level training at the cutting edge of Biological Engineering research under the mentorship of MIT BE faculty is right for you, which research groups you may be interested in joining and why, how you have prepared to receive advanced PhD training, and how this training may power your aspirations for the future. The MIT BE Communications Lab CommKit has additional content on writing statements of purpose. While not a particular focus of our evaluation, the statement is an opportunity to directly demonstrate your writing skills and attention to detail.

Letters of recommendation provide crucial evidence of research aptitude in successful applications. The most impactful letters come from your faculty research supervisor(s) who know you well and have substantial experience advising PhD students. Support letters from other research supervisors, academic advisors, or course instructors may also be included. You can find general guidance (not specific to applications to study in the BE PhD program) on requesting letters of recommendation and on support letter content from the Biological Engineering Communication Lab.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications ahead of the deadline and are responsible for ensuring that all application components are submitted on time. Your application will not be reviewed until all materials have been received. There is no separate application for financial support; all admitted applicants are offered a support package.

The BE Department does not require the standardized Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test as part of our application process, but will consider scores if provided by the applicant.

How is the COVID pandemic impacting admissions?
MIT’s admissions committees and offices for graduate and professional schools will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak into account when reviewing applicants’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant. BE expects to hold interviews on-site in March after a timely review of public health concerns and applicable policies for travel and events.

To apply, go to the online application to begin the application process.

1. Fill out the online application by 23:59, EST, December 15.

You will be providing the following information:

• Field(s) of interest
• Personal information/addresses
• International student data
• Three or more names and email addresses of letter writers
• Scanned copies of your College Transcripts
• For international students, scanned copies of your IELTS or TOEFL scores
• Academic preparation and research/work experience
• Applicant statement
• Credit card payment of $90 (Information on requesting a fee waiver is here)

2. Arrange for submission of the following:

Scanned PDF transcripts and IELTS/TOEFL scores are considered unofficial documents but sufficient for review. Official documents are required after an admissions decision is made. Please have any test scores electronically transmitted to MIT Admissions.

For international students:

Your online application will require you to attach a scanned copy of your test scores. IELTS, or TOEFL exam scores should be sent directly to MIT. IELTS, and TOEFL exam scores are valid for 2 years.

IELTS does not require a code. Designate “MIT Graduate Admissions” in the appropriate field. No address is needed as scores are reported electronically. The minimum overall band score requirement for the IELTS is 7.

To report TOEFL scores the MIT institution code is 3514, department codes are not necessary. The minimum overall score requirement for the TOEFL is 100.

Applicants are expected to take the IELTS, or TOEFL by November 15 to allow for proper reporting time. Applications will not be reviewed until your scores are received.

Waivers for TOEFL/IELTS are also provided to applicants who have or will earn a 4-year undergraduate degree from an institution in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, the United States, or the United Kingdom that provides instruction primarily in English.