Application Information

The Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Mechanisms subcommittee brings together researchers seeking to understand form and function in biology at many scales. Faculty investigate molecular machines that control cell signaling, gene expression, cell mechanics, quality control and metabolism, as well as the processes by which the body’s organelles, cells and tissues are formed, maintained and repaired. Faculty also use these fundamental insights to inform how genetic alterations drive disease and to transform that understanding into effective therapies.

The application will open in early September. All materials must be submitted through the Harvard Griffin GSAS Applicant Portal by 5:00 PM (EST) on December 1.

Selecting the Degree Program: On the GSAS application, select "Biological and Biomedical Sciences" as your Degree Program.

Selecting BBS Subcommittee: Please review the descriptions of our four subcommittees and select the one that best corresponds to your intended area of future research as well as your previous academic and professional experience. Choosing the subcommittee most closely aligned with your interests and background will ensure that your application is evaluated by experts who are best suited to assess your potential and fit for the program. If you are unsure which subcommittee to choose, we recommend considering both your proposed research direction and your foundational training to make the most informed decision. Please note - If you choose "Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Mechanisms" as your preferred area of interest, please further specify your focus by selecting one of the following options: a) Molecular Mechanisms, b) Structural Biology, c) Cellular Biology, or d) Stem Cell Biology and Development. This selection will help us direct your application to the most relevant reviewers, but it does not commit you to a specific area.

Faculty of interest: Since we ask students to indicate one of the general areas represented in our admissions committee, we don’t ask students to list specific faculty of interest in the application.  Once candidates are invited for interviews, however, we will inquire if there are particular faculty that each applicant may wish to meet, if available.  Students are not required to contact faculty or secure a thesis laboratory prior to submitting their applications to BBS. Once matriculated, students will have the opportunity to rotate in labs prior to declaring a thesis mentor at the end of their G1 year (July 1st).

Statement of Purpose (SoP): Through the SoP, we’re looking to get to know you as a scientist. How did your background help shape your interests and experiences in science? What are your goals for graduate school? How do your research experiences fit within this context? You are welcome to briefly mention multiple research experiences as they relate to your trajectory, but your SoP should focus on your primary research experience, discussing the question/topic that drove the project, its importance, your hypotheses, how you tested your hypotheses, your findings or possible outcomes, and how you interpreted those outcomes. In this part of the application, we're eager to see how you demonstrate your ability to approach problems and ideas with a scientific mindset. (Not to exceed 1,000 words)

Ultimately, the statement should provide evidence of research readiness through descriptions of past projects with clarity including explaining your role, methods, and what was learned.

Personal Statement: scientific discovery and professional development benefit greatly from the exchange of ideas and perspectives within the community of scholars. This short essay is a dedicated space for applicants to describe the specific prior activities, leadership roles, service contributions and lived experiences that illustrate their unique perspectives, their values, and their commitment to intellectual community. It is important that applicants do not use this essay as space to merely expand on the research experiences discussed in the Statement of Purpose, but rather, use the Personal Statement to describe additional dimensions of their aspirations, experiences and accomplishments that will guide their future contributions to the research community around them. (Not to exceed 500 words)

Letters of Recommendation:  applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. We rely heavily on sincere, candid and detailed accounts of each candidate’s accomplishments in their scholarly pursuits and research training from mentors and advisors who have taken the time to cultivate a deep familiarity and understanding of each candidate’s strengths and unique attributes.

Transcripts: applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts from each institution attended.  We do not accept transcripts received by mail or email during the application submission and review process.  Official transcripts are only required from those who have been admitted and accepted the offer of admission.  Transcripts from international institutions must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation.  All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.  For more information, please visit the GSAS Transcripts Page.

GRE: BBS no longer accepts GRE scores.  If you submit scores, they will not be seen by our admissions committees.

TOEFL/IELTS: if English is not your native language and you completed your undergraduate degree in a language other than English, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL (minimum of 100) or IELTS Academic (7.0) scores. In addition, candidates will need to demonstrate a minimum speaking subsection test score of 23 (old scale)/4.5 (new scale) for TOEFL or a minimum speaking subsection test score of 6.5 for IELTS.  Applicants who took tests more than two years ago (i.e., before January 5, 2025, for Fall 2027 admission) must retake them.  We are unable to accept any other proof of proficiency.  A master’s degree or other graduate degree is not accepted as proof of English proficiency. This requirement applies to all applicants regardless of residency or citizenship status.  If you received an undergraduate degree from an institution in the United States in which English was not the primary language of instruction but a significant portion of your program was conducted in English, you may petition for a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Please note this ONLY applies to US institutions. Contact the office of admissions for details.