What does it take to get into MIT or Harvard? - Any suggestion for PhD Admissions? (Jul/15/2008 )

Hello,

I am thinking of applying to a good school fer PhD.

Is there anyone here who can give me advice for what are they looking for in a PhD candidate? Specially in a world class institute like MIT and Harvard.

Which of the following would give me a leverage over the others?

- Having a publication?

-Work experience as a technician?

- What MUST my minimum GPA be?

-The fact that I have a Masters degree from the USA?

Thanks to all in advance,
Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse,

Those are excellent questions, but there's a few things you need to tell us so that we can better help you...

- What field are you thinking of going into?
- Do you have an idea what you might want to do after grad. school?
- Are you limited on what locations you could move to?

BUT IN GENERAL some things are straight forward...

- HAVE THE RIGHT DEGREE
Many people go from one field to a similar field but the transition can be hard, and some schools frown upon it, i.e. having a B.S. in Chemistry but going into Chemical Engineering

- GRE
As always, the higher the score the better, but if you look at the web page of the school you think you'd like to attend, you will see minimum GRE score requirements.
Important to note: Most schools do not consider the score from all three sections of the GRE test. I entered an engineering grad school that required a minimum of 700 on the Math, and 700 on the Logic but they didn't consider the verbal at all... I spent a great deal of time preparing for the verbal and it made no difference what so ever because it wasn't even looked at...

- GRADES
Grades ALWAYS matter. There are often minimum GPA requirements but there is NO SET RULE. Graduate schools know that some colleges and universities are more difficut than others and understand that a 4.0 from on university may not mean as much as a 3.2 from another... RULE OF THUMBS - the higher the GPA the better.... Graduating with honors is always a plus

- REFERENCES
THIS is huge... Many people make the mistake of getting references from professors who barely know them... you should have professors who know you well because you've done research in their lab, or you're always in their office asking quesetions and trying to learn.

- PUBLICATIONS
Quite simply, ALWAYS a plus, but if you're just graduating with your B.S. this wouldnt be an expectation.

- RESEARCH EXPERIENC

Modest Mouse,

Those are excellent questions, but there's a few things you need to tell us so that we can better help you...

- What field are you thinking of going into?
- Do you have an idea what you might want to do after grad. school?
- Are you limited on what locations you could move to?

BUT IN GENERAL some things are straight forward...

- HAVE THE RIGHT DEGREE
Many people go from one field to a similar field but the transition can be hard, and some schools frown upon it, i.e. having a B.S. in Chemistry but going into Chemical Engineering

- GRE
As always, the higher the score the better, but if you look at the web page of the school you think you'd like to attend, you will see minimum GRE score requirements.
Important to note: Most schools do not consider the score from all three sections of the GRE test. I entered an engineering grad school that required a minimum of 700 on the Math, and 700 on the Logic but they didn't consider the verbal at all... I spent a great deal of time preparing for the verbal and it made no difference what so ever because it wasn't even looked at...

- GRADES
Grades ALWAYS matter. There are often minimum GPA requirements but there is NO SET RULE. Graduate schools know that some colleges and universities are more difficut than others and understand that a 4.0 from on university may not mean as much as a 3.2 from another... RULE OF THUMBS - the higher the GPA the better.... Graduating with honors is always a plus

- REFERENCES
THIS is huge... Many people make the mistake of getting references from professors who barely know them... you should have professors who know you well because you've done research in their lab, or you're always in their office asking quesetions and trying to learn.

- PUBLICATIONS
Quite simply, ALWAYS a plus, but if you're just graduating with your B.S. this wouldnt be an expectation.

- RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
This is a HUGE plus... If you can show that you have already done research that is a HUGE draw... MANY entering grad students have the grades and honor awards.. but the ability to work in a lab and actually produce??? When you're JUST starting grad school would be very attractive to a PI.

REMEMBER: ALL OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOLS 'POSTED' MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS CAN BE TRUMPED

If a PI in a graduate school knows you, or knows of you, and they believe you would be an excellent addition to their school, they can get you in... It's as simple as that. I've seen it...more than once...

You are great! Thanks doc_t for your advice.

I wanna do PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

The PLUSES:

1- My Undergrad/Grad are also in the same field.
2- I have 4-5 years of research experience.
3-My BS udergrad GPA was good
4- I will get Great Recos from Proffs
5-I am positive I will do well in my general GRE


The Questionables:
1- my MS GPA is Horrible!!
2- I do not have a research publication
3- I know what I want to do-but not 100% sure


What do you think?

Also-Do i need to write what EXACTLY I wanna work on? Or just a broad filed such as developmental bio, signal transduction, Immunology, or stem cells etc. Or do I need to write which all FACULTY I want to work with in the respective department?

What do you think-am a viable candidate?

Thanks to ALL in advance
MM