Graduate Student FAQs

How does the admissions process work?

Applications are reviewed after the submission deadline. Top applicants are selected and invited to visit the department to learn about the program, interview with the faculty, and meet current graduate students. Our visit weekend is in early March. Admissions offers are made following the visit weekend.

Our visit weekend is structured to allow applicants to hear about the BE program & faculty research areas, meet our current students, see their work, and get a feel for the BE and MIT community. During the visit, prospective students also have the opportunity to present some of their own undergraduate research and interview directly with faculty.

 

What are the program requirements and admissions process?

Please see the Graduate Application page, located here: http://be.mit.edu/academic-programs/prospective-grad/graduate-application

What are the admission requirements?

Given the limited capacity of our program, invitations to interview are made on a competitive basis each year to the most qualified 30-40 applicants. The most competitive applicants have strong interest and academic grounding in both biology and a quantitative subject, have excelled in their previous research and academic endeavors, bring a diversity of thought and experience to our student body, and plan careers related to biological engineering.

Applications are read closely for demonstrated interest and excitement for research and enthusiastic support from previous mentors knowledgeable about PhD-level training. Applicants should be able to explain how they identified faculty within BE whose research aligns with their scientific interests.

BE does not limit admissions offers to those holding certain types of undergraduate degrees. We encourage students with biological science, physical science, math, or engineering backgrounds to apply. We recommend that students include biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and advanced mathematics including differential equations, linear algebra, statistics, computer science, and data science courses in their undergraduate curriculums and demonstrate facility with these disciplines through their previous research experiences.

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 in 2020 into account when reviewing students' transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant.

See MIT's Special Notice of March 26, 2020 at: https://gradadmissions.mit.edu/applications

 

What is BEAAP?

BEAAP is the BE Application Assistance Program, a department-supported, student-run application assistance program that pairs students applying to MIT BE with a mentor who is a graduate student currently in the program. BEAAP aims to assist applicants who may benefit from additional support during the application process. Mentors can answer questions about BE and MIT and provide feedback on application materials. If you are interested in participating in BEAAP, check out the Application Assistance Program page for the interest form and more details.

Who is eligible to participate in BEAAP?

BEAAP is intended to support applicants who may not have had the same opportunities and support in preparing for the graduate admission process as others. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Applicants from lesser-known academic institutions with fewer or no alumni who experienced our program or other programs at MIT
  • First generation college students
  • Applicants who have experienced financial or other specific disadvantages
  • Applicants with non-traditional academic backgrounds
  • Only applicants for BE's PhD program for the current admissions cycle are eligible to participate in BEAAP

Who should write my reference letters?

The admissions committee is looking for students with demonstrated excitement for and experience in research, a strong background in the quantitative and life sciences, and a diversity of thought and experience. Writers who know you well from research-related interactions and have substantial experience mentoring PhD students can best speak to your potential for success in our program and a BE-related career. Other reference letters may also be included. Reference letters may also emphasize applicants’ qualifications for admission to BE that do not appear on their academic transcripts and provide contextual information that helps the admissions committee better understand the institutions and programs where applicants received training.

Are you looking for a specific profile for your applicants? What is the "ideal" candidate?

BE has not defined an “ideal” applicant profile.  In past years, the strongest group of applicants represent a wide range of academic backgrounds, research interests, and personal experiences. All strong applications detail a demonstrated interest and excitement for research in Biological Engineering, academic grounding in the quantitative and life sciences, and enthusiastic support from previous mentors.

What are your selection criteria?

Please see the Graduate Application page, located here: http://be.mit.edu/academic-programs/prospective-grad/graduate-application

How can I improve my application?

Ensure your academic record and extracurricular experience demonstrate strong training, ability/experience, and interest in both biology and quantitative science.  Work closely with your letter writers well in advance of deadlines to ensure they understand the major aspects of MIT BE and our evaluation process. Get feedback on your application materials from people familiar with PhD applications in general and MIT BE in particular (ie from your academic mentors, letter writers, BEAAP, and others).

How much emphasis is placed on research/grades/scores/publications?

We consider each application holistically, taking into consideration all aspects of the application and how it fits with the BE department's mission. Academic performance and research experience are examined closely within the full context of each individual application.

Who do I contact with questions about applying?

If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact the BE Academic Office at be-acad@mit.edu. If you have questions about BEAAP or receiving application assistance, please contact beaap@mit.edu.

The Department of Biological Engineering has a Communication Lab that provides resources and tips that can help create effective presentations and writing. They also have advice about writing successful personal statements (in general, not specifically for MIT BE PhD applications) on their website.

Is my background suitable?

We do not require students to have had a certain undergraduate major to apply to BE. We encourage students with biological science, physical science, math, or engineering backgrounds to apply.  All applicants need solid grounding and interest in both a quantitative subject and a life science subject.

Do I have sufficient background in research?

A strong applicant is one that has shown a demonstrated interest and excitement for research, took advantage of available opportunities to gain research experience in line with these interests, an academic grounding in the quantitative and life sciences, and enthusiastic support from previous mentors.

Do I need to have published something to be able to apply?

No. However, competitive applicants demonstrate an aptitude for research in some way, most often through research experience that did not lead to publications or for which publications are pending.  If invited to attend the Visit Weekend in March, the applicant will present a poster on a research topic of their choice.

What classes do I need to take to apply?

We recommend that students include biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and advanced mathematics including differential equations, linear algebra, statistics, computer science, and data science courses in their undergraduate curriculums and demonstrate facility with these disciplines through their previous research experiences.

What educational background do you need to apply? Do you need a science or engineering degree to apply?

We do not require students to have had a certain undergraduate major to apply to BE, although most admits did have science or engineering majors. We encourage students with biological science, physical science, math, or engineering backgrounds to apply.

Do you accept applications from students whose degree was in Math/Physics/Computer Programming...?

We do not require students to have had a certain undergraduate major to apply to BE. We encourage students with biological science, physical science, math, or engineering backgrounds to apply.  All applicants need solid grounding and interest in both a quantitative subject and a life science subject.

Do you accept applications from international students/foreign universities?

Yes.

Do you need a Masters degree to apply?

No.

What TOEFL/IELTS score is required?

The minimum IELTS score we accept is an overall score of a 7.  We do not accept the TOEFL exam.

Do you accept the TOEFL in place of the IELTS?

No.

Can the TOEFL/IELTS be waived/Do I need to take it? I am from (country), I have a Masters from…I have a Bachelors from…

The IELTS is waived for applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, or the United Kingdom, or for applicants who have or will earn a BS degree at a US university.

My IELTS is out of date. Can I use it anyway?

The IELTS needs to be current.

Are GREs required or recommended?

No.

What is the minimum GPA I need to be able to apply?

No minimum GPA required. However, because admission is extremely competitive, essentially all applicants receiving an interview invitation have a GPA in the A range (>3.6 on an A = 4.0 scale), with most invitees having GPAs towards the upper end of that range.

What was the average GPA of applicants invited to interview in recent years?

From 2019-2022 the median GPA of interviewees was 3.94 (on an A = 4.0 scale). 

What is the application deadline for the Ph.D. program?

Applications to the BE department close on December 15th, at 11:59 PM.

When is the deadline to submit IELTS scores? Reference letter? Can they be submitted after 12/15?

It is strongly recommended that all parts of the application are uploaded by the December 15th deadline.  Please be aware that your application will not be reviewed until it is complete.

Do I need to send in an official copy of my transcript or IELTS?

A scanned copy is sufficient for review purposes.  If you are invited to attend our Visit Weekend in March, you will need to submit an official copy before your visit.

Are there any guidelines for the Statement of Objectives? Any length/page restriction?

No specific format is required for the Statement, which 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, personal experience, and letters of recommendation. The admissions committee wants to hear why PhD-level training in Biological Engineering under the mentorship of MIT BE faculty is right for you, which research groups you may be interested in joining, how you have prepared to receive PhD training, and how this training may power your aspirations for the future. Most statements received are between 1 and 3 pages in length or 500 to 1500 words.

When will decisions go out?

Interview invitations go out asynchronously in January and early February. Admission offers are released after the visit weekend.

What is the status of my application?

You can check your status online.  If your application is complete, then you can consider your application under review.  Interview invitations go out asynchronously in January and early February.

Is it possible to receive feedback on why I was not admitted?

No.

I was not admitted but plan to apply again next year. What can I do to improve my application/chances?

Re-application is allowed and advisable in cases where significant changes to your application may increase its competitiveness.

What is the typical length of a Ph.D. in the MIT BE department?

The average duration of study to earn a PhD in BE at MIT is 5.5 years.

Can I choose to be advised by a faculty member outside of the BE department?

Students may choose to be co-advised by faculty outside of the department, but all BE students must match with a BE faculty member.

Should I reach out to advisors before applying? How does advisor selection work?

The choice of research advisor is made at the end of the first semester of study. BE faculty recruiting students give research presentations, and new graduate students spend fall term meeting with faculty and completing optional research rotations to find an advisor that best matches the student’s research interests.

Contacting faculty may help you decide whether to apply but does not give your application an advantage or assure an advising match.

How many courses will I take?

The program requires 6 subjects, though more may be taken in agreement with the student's advisor. See PhD Course Requirements for more info.

What about funding?

All MIT Biological Engineering PhD students are fully funded for tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Until advisor selection at the end of the first semester, students are supported by a departmental fellowship. After this period, the selected advisor provides support. Students who receive external fellowships may have an augmented stipend consistent with department and institutional policies.

The Graduate Student Council at MIT tracks stipend levels across departments (Note: the stipend is paid in addition to tuition and health insurance).

For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the MIT Student Financial Services website.

How livable is the stipend in the Cambridge/Boston area?

Most students find the stipend to be sufficient for their expenses. The Department assesses the stipend annually to address inflation and the cost of living in the area.

The stipend is only intended to support one person, but there are students who support spouses and/or families on the stipend. The greater Boston area has a high cost of living. The Graduate Student Council at MIT surveyed students and composed a cost of living analysis, but individual expenses vary. For instance, students with debt service obligations would need to incorporate those costs into their budget.

What careers are possible with an MIT BE Ph.D.?

Graduates of the BE PhD program have gone on to a wide range of careers. Many of our alumni go on to academia or the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, however many also enter government, finance/venture investing, and the law.

How do I learn more about BE graduate students?

To learn more about our graduate students, visit the BE Graduate Life page or visit the BE Graduate Board website.

At the visit weekend, prospective students will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of current graduate students.

Do you accept transfer credit?

In specific rare circumstances transfer credit for a limited set of electives has been accepted.

Do you accept spring entry?

No.

Do you offer a PhD in Biomedical Engineering?

No.

Can I apply to the Master's program if I am not an MIT student?

No. There is no Master’s program for non-MIT students.

I am applying to more than one MIT graduate program. Do I need to submit separate applications?

Yes.

Is it to my advantage to disclose other programs I am applying to at MIT and beyond in my MIT BE PhD application?

Yes.  Many students apply concurrently to multiple programs, including multiple programs at MIT.  BE recommends that applicants indicate all the programs they are applying to on their BE application to maximize their chances for a successful match.

Can application materials (transcripts, reference letters, etc.) be shared between departments?

No.