Graduate Student FAQs | MIT Department of Biological Engineering

How does the admissions process work?

Applications are reviewed after the submission deadline. Top applicants are then selected and invited to visit the department to interview with the faculty and meet current graduate students. Our visit weekend is in early March.

Our visit weekend is structured to allow applicants to hear about the BE program & faculty research areas, meet our current students, and see their work. Additionally, prospective students will get the opportunity to present some of their own undergraduate research and participate in faculty interviews as well as get a feel of the BE and MIT community.

What are the minimum requirements?

Minimum requirements to qualify for the visitation weekend vary every year with the applicant pool. The BE department is interested in applicants who have excelled in their previous research and academic endeavors, and who bring a diversity of thought and experience to our student body.

A strong applicant has a demonstrated interest and excitement for research, an academic grounding in the quantitative and life sciences, and enthusiastic support from previous mentors. Applicants should be able to identify faculty within BE whose research aligns with their scientific interests.

We do not require that students have had a certain undergraduate major to apply to BE. We encourage students with a science, math, or engineering background to apply. We recommend that students include both biochemistry and cell biology in their undergraduate curriculums, or demonstrate familiarity 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 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 is BEAAP?

BEAAP is a department-supported, student-run application assistance program that pairs students applying to MIT BE with a graduate student mentor. BEAAP aims to assist underrepresented applicants who may need 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 the graduate admission process as other students. This includes, but is not limited to

Students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM
Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds
Students from lesser-known academic institutions

Only students applying 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. Letter writers should be able to speak to those traits, with strong emphasis on research experience. Reference letters may also include complementary material to your application (e.g. lack of life science coursework on the transcript can be complemented by a strong reference letter describing your research experience in a life sciences lab). Writers that know you well and can speak to your potential for success in our program will provide particularly strong references.

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

A strong applicant is one that has shown a demonstrated interest and excitement for research, an 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?

A strong applicant is one that has shown a demonstrated interest and excitement for research, an academic grounding in the quantitative and life sciences, and enthusiastic support from previous mentors.

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.

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 a successful personal statement on their website.

Is my background suitable?

We do not require students to have had a certain undergraduate major to apply to BE. We do encourage students with a science, math, or engineering background to apply.

Do I have sufficient background in research?

A strong applicant is one that has shown a demonstrated interest and excitement for research, 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, but in order for an application to be competive, the applicant needs to demonstrate an aptitude for research. 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 both biochemistry and cell biology in their undergraduate curriculums, or demonstrate familiarity 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. We do encourage students with a science, math, or engineering background 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 do encourage students with a science, math, or engineering background to apply.

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?

There is no minimum GPA required to be able to apply. The pool of applicants typically has an average GPA of 3.8-3.9 out of 4.0.

What was the average GPA of last year's applicants?

The pool of applicants typically has an average GPA of 3.8-3.9 out of 4.0.

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

Applications to the 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?

There are no specific guidelines but an understanding of the BE department's mission and a demonstrated interest and excitement for research would be helpful. The average length is between 1-3 pages.

When will decisions go out?

The decisions will go out by late January/early February.

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. Decisions will go out by late January/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?

If there are significant changes to your application from the prior year, then you may apply again.

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

The average length of a BE Ph.D 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 also be co-advised by 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. The department gives graduate students time to find an advisor that best matches the student’s research interests. Included in this process are research presentations by each faculty member as well as informal rotations, if desired.

Contacting faculty or potential advisors before applying does not give an advantage to your application. However, if you have specific questions for particular faculty members, you can contact them.

How many courses will I take?

The program requires 6 subjects, though more may be taken at the suggestion of the student's advisor. See Ph.D. Course Requirements for more info.

What about funding?

All MIT Biological Engineering Ph.D. students are fully funded for tuition, health insurance, and a stipend that covers living costs. Before advisor selection at the end of the first semester, students are placed on a departmental fellowship. After this period, the selected advisor generally handles funding. Students who receive external fellowships may have an augmented stipend.

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

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 loans would need to incorporate those costs into their budget.