Biology Doctorate in US

This section will address how to select which program you should attend.

ACTION-STEPS/RESOURCES

There are many universities with strong biology programs. There is no “best” college to study biology. If you are considering a biology degree, search for a school that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Large research universities offer broad coursework, a variety of specialized concentrations, and many opportunities for independent research. However, there is often strong competition for such opportunities at these institutions, as well as larger class/lab sizes with less individualized attention. Smaller colleges allow for small class sizes, individualized instruction, and frequent interaction with professors. At the same time, smaller schools may have less diverse course offerings and fewer opportunities for financially supported research. In general, there are several key elements that make up a solid biology program at a college or university:

  • Faculty diversity and experience
    • Most faculty members hold Ph.D. degrees and have active, productive research programs, or are connected to research programs at a nearby institution.
    • The faculty is an accurate representation of the diversity of biological disciplines: botanists, evolutionary biologists, zoologists, biochemists, cell biologists, ecologists, physiologists, taxonomists, and so on. Either the biology program contains faculty members in diverse fields, or the university has several individual departments that complement each other.
  • Commitment to undergraduate education
    • Courses are taught by faculty members, not graduate students.
    • The institution has an active faculty advisor program and an active career advising/career development program.
    • The curriculum includes a variety of courses that provide a strong background in the natural and social sciences, humanities, and writing, while still allowing students to pursue their individual interests.
    • Well-equipped libraries with Internet access to biology journals, and easily accessible computer labs for student use.
  • Research opportunities for undergraduates
    • Faculty welcome students into their research groups as part-time workers, interns, and research assistants.
    • Opportunities are available for undergraduates to pursue independent research projects.
    • There are programs and centers that suit a student’s particular interest; for example, a field station to study ecology, a state-of-the-art genetics lab, or a marine station to study marine biology.
  • Broad vs. narrow. There remains a wide spectrum of how broad a subject a particular program covers. If you know that you want to be an immunologist, you may prefer to be in an immunology program with perhaps fifteen faculty to choose from to guide you in an immunological project. If you don’t know whether you want to do immunology, molecular genetics, or cell biology, you may be better off choosing a program in molecular and cell biology where you can specialize in any of these topics. The trade-off is that there will probably be only a handful of potential thesis advisors in each subspecialty.

Here are some useful links that will help you select your program in Biological Sciences:

Top programs:

  • Here is the complete list of Top Biological Sciences schools in the USA. In a nutshell, strong graduate Law schools are:
    • Top Five: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UC – Berkeley, California Institute of Technology.
    • Next Ten: Johns Hopkins University, UC – San Francisco, Yale University, Princeton University, Scripps Research Institute, Cornell University, Duke University, Washington University at St. Louis, Columbia, Rockefeller University.
    • Top program by specialty: make sure to check the ranking of programs based on their specialty subfield in Biological Sciences.

Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on program selection (under the tab of ‘selection’).

MOTIVATIONS FOR DEGREE

Your options as a graduate with a biology degree will largely depend on the level of qualification you attain. While the basic skills developed during an undergraduate biology degree are transferable to many industries, many of the most sought-after biology careers do require higher levels of academic study. That said, career options for graduates of biology degrees are certainly not limited to the science and health sectors. Options you may wish to consider are here.

What is the job outlook for the future?

  • While there will always be a need for bright, energetic, and educated individuals with a strong understanding of biology, opportunities vary depending on the status of local and national economies. For current job outlook information, check the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published every two years by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This online handbook is searchable by occupation group (including Life, Physical, and Social Science) and includes information on median pay, job outlook, minimum required education, and more.

Moreover, graduate programs in biological sciences offer the opportunity to specialize in some of the most exciting and fast-growing sectors of research in the world today. In recent months international newspapers, ranging from The Times (UK) and The Washington Post(US) to The Straits Times (Singapore), have reflected on the growing concerns about the manipulation of human genes. There has been a continuing debate over the research into stem cells and the production of so-called ‘designer’ cells to counter hereditary or terminal illnesses.

For the prospective international student considering a master’s or Ph.D., perhaps there has never been a more critical time to focus on the biological sciences as an area of academic specialization. To read more, browse Research Careers in Biological Sciences.

Master’s Programs

A Master’s degree may be an avenue to the Ph.D. or an end (or beginning) in itself. It may qualify the holder for some college or secondary school teaching posts, as well as research assistant or associate positions in universities, industry, or government.

MD/Ph.D. Programs

MD/Ph.D. programs train the student for the practice of medicine as well as academic research. This is a lengthy route, but an appropriate choice for those wishing for careers in academic medicine. If either clinical practice or purely academic research is the principal goal, both degrees may not be necessary. Certain programs leading to both degrees, Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP), are funded: a relief from the heavy financial burden of medical training alone.

Medical School

Research training is not a part of the medical school process per se. However, there are many opportunities for MDs to develop research skills if training is sought. This may be through postdoctoral fellowships (as Ph.D.s undertake) or as part of training programs for various clinical specialties. With additional training, an MD may find an academic/clinical appointment a fulfilling career choice.

Browse through the following links to have a holistic picture of a career in Biology:

Careers in Biological Sciences by American Institute of Biological Sciences

A lot of our tips talk about how you can strengthen your application, but you can build a stronger application when you’ve done the things this program values in the years prior to the application. The application itself is the communication part (in which you communicate what you’ve done to the admission committee), but this section gives guidance on the substance part (what you can actually do before you apply). In this section we talk about what you can do in the years leading up to applying that can make you an ideal candidate. Supplement the following tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘Pre-Application’) to become a competitive applicant.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES/BACKGROUND

GPA Requirement:

  • The average GPA of an admitted student in biology is around 3.5: the typical student got mostly A’s and some B’s as an undergraduate. If you are pursuing a program that requires prior knowledge of biology, the applicant’s grades in all biology-related courses are considered important by the admission committee. Hence, you would be at a further advantage if you have excellent grades in higher-level biology or related sciences university classes.
  • People with lower GPAs, especially with lower biology-related GPAs cannot get into top schools unless they have done tremendous amount of research work in biology. For example: An applicant with a 3.5+ biology GPA and 2+ Research Experience in biology or related sciences (hopefully with a publication) is way better than an applicant with a 3.9+ biology GPA and 0-6 months experience. Therefore, completing an undergraduate research experience is excellent preparation.
  • Grades in Mathematics and Science courses are given great weightage so it is advised that you score really well in these areas.
  • If an applicant has had academic obstacles as an undergraduate, are admissions officers understanding of this, or do they focus on the GPA trend? Biology Ph.D. programs typically have a very tough first-year interdisciplinary curriculum, and the rest of the program is research-intensive. Admissions committees often feel the best predictors of students’ success are grades and test scores in Biology and math. Both help predict whether students are able to take on difficult subject matter and succeed. The admissions committee may be willing to take into consideration one or two subpar semesters, but not a pattern of such performance.

Course Work:

  • While completing your undergraduate degree, you should take a range of courses, spread over all of the subdisciplines in biology and be sure to build the basic academic and laboratory skills needed to enter the graduate-level biology programs.
  • Take courses in math and science. Biologists need a solid understanding of math, chemistry, physics, and of course biology. Taking these courses in O/A levels and undergraduate will provide you with an excellent background and allow you to explore the wide range of what scientists do for a living.

Other Tips:

  • Alongside your undergraduate studies, keep Biology | Khan Academy, a very recommended web page as a study companion site. This web is a wonderful resource reviewing possibly all of undergraduate Biology in a very explanatory way.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCES

Seek opportunities for individual research. Many agree that students should determine above all, if they love doing research, and would enjoy a career doing their own research. Ways of finding out include volunteering in labs, taking independent research courses, and seeking summer opportunities for research. A two-semester senior research project leading to an honors thesis provides particularly good exposure to research for undergraduates.

Here are some examples of research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Ask your professors about part-time jobs. Many professors hire student assistants to help with library, field, and laboratory research. Not only will you earn some money and experience, but you’ll also develop a professional relationship with someone who can give you career advice and write letters of recommendation.
  • Find summer internships. Internships are a great way to learn about a career, make contacts, and gain experience in biology. Some internships may provide opportunities to do an original research project—a very rewarding experience that will show you how science works and get you thinking about graduate school.
  • If, not sure, don’t go yet. Time off between finishing college and beginning graduate school is fine if it is spent in a useful way. One option is to get a job in a research lab or related area for one or more years before applying. This period may serve as a serious occupational test, as well as provide time for specifying interests or strengthening commitment.

VOLUNTARY/ SOCIAL WORK

Read would an internship be right for you? by BioScience Careers

OTHER EXPERIENCES/BACKGROUND

Teaching Experience: Seek opportunities for teaching. Since teaching is an important component of academic positions, and required of graduate students, it would be helpful to get some experience. One way of doing this is to serve as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Many of these positions require lecturing to groups, one-on-one instruction, running discussion and review sessions, preparing quizzes, and grading assignments or examinations. Other teaching opportunities may be found in summer programs

Technical Skills: Unlike graduate students in the humanities, who are required to propose a thesis for admission, graduate students in the basic sciences usually have the opportunity to complete several laboratory rotations before choosing a thesis advisor and designing a project. These short periods of research in various labs allow students to gain knowledge of diverse techniques, to build a strong foundation for bench work and also aid in understanding the literature. Even after choosing an advisor, it is wise to learn as much as possible about a wide range of techniques that will be useful in a post-doctoral or first independent position. In addition, students with knowledge of diverse techniques are valuable sources of information for their training lab.

Networking: Meetings and conferences are significant opportunities to broaden graduate students’ knowledge within and beyond their field of interest. Attend a meeting or conference each year not just to look at posters and listen to presentations, but also to step forward and about forming one and funding it. Students with access to this resource should use it. The academic gatherings provided through this type of organization offer a forum to give presentations and an opportunity to ask questions in an atmosphere that is more relaxed than a typical department seminar or meeting presentation. Also, discussions among peers help hone critical thinking and scientific thinking skills. These groups may also sponsor social events—a great way to build friendships. The best support during graduate school will most likely come from peers. Moreover, classmates can be valuable allies in the future.

TIME-LINE

What should you be doing, timeline-wise as an undergraduate Biology student? Actually, you began preparing for graduate school on the day you entered your undergraduate program. Hence, you need to consider the following actions/steps to be a successful graduate applicant.

During your Freshman & Sophomore Year:
  • Take a broad spectrum of introductory science courses (including laboratories): biology, chemistry, physics, math and computer sciences.
  • Take courses that help develop skills in reading comprehension, writing and public speaking.
  • Get involved in research at your home institution.
  • Establish a good relationship with your school’s health careers advisor or the graduate school advisor at your campus career center — help them get to know you.
During your Junior Year:
  • Take advanced-level science courses: cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, etc.
  • Take liberal arts courses: economics, history, literature, philosophy, etc.
  • Expand your research experiences.
  • programs such as: MARC/MBRS, McNair, Howard Hughes, etc.
  • summer research programs
  • independent study
  • Begin preparation for the GRE or MCAT.
  • Take preparation courses (Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.), review copies of old exams and take timed practice tests (for the GRE prepare for the computer version).
  • For MD/Ph.D. candidates, take MCAT’s in April of your 3rd year.
  • For Ph.D. candidates, take the GRE in the early fall (September or October) of your 4th year; if required, take the appropriate subject test and/or writing assessment at the same time.
During your Senior Year:
  • Submit your applications early (be realistic in your choice of programs).
  • If possible, visit the schools, programs, or departments that interest you.
  • Take advanced-level science courses, especially those that are research and techniques-oriented.

All above-mentioned activities will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful graduate applicant and beyond. The sooner you take charge of your own professional development, the better you will ensure your success as a future Ph.D. or Master’s in Biology.

This section provides an overview of general guidelines pertaining to the application process. It also delineates the key components of the application process.

GENERAL ADVICE

  • Biology degrees are extremely diverse – ‘biology’ or ‘biological sciences’ cover a wide array of specialist subjects. From anatomy to ecology and microbiology to zoology, the course options available for those interested in pursuing studies in biology are extremely wide-ranging.
  • In a nutshell, the following sub-fields and/or degrees are available for Biological Sciences: Biochemistry; Biophysics; Structural Biology; Cell Biology, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology; Genetics/Genomics/Bioinformatics; Immunology/ Infectious Disease; Microbiology; Molecular Biology; Neuroscience/Neurobiology.
  • No. of Universities to Apply:
    • Master’s Program: You should apply to at least 8 to 10 universities.
    • Doctoral Program: You should apply to around 12 to 15 universities. Some recommend applying to up to 20 universities as well.

Refer to the Program Selection Section for further information.

TIME-LINE

ComponentIs this component required?How important is this component (in the overall review of the application for admission)?Notes on timelines (if applicable)
Overall Application Deadline  Submit early. Mostly, you will have all of your applications in by mid-December. This will give you plenty of time to write your statements of intent, rearrange your school list, etc. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Standardized tests or entry examsRequiredGeneral GRE – Very Important

Biology GRE – Very Important (required by some universities)

Biology GRE is offered in the fall (Oct, Nov) and in the spring (Apr) and general GRE offered throughout the year. So make sure you plan a year before your application deadline. Spend 6 months preparing for the test.

Take the test 2 months before the app. deadline.

Test scores are usually due during the overall app. deadline.

Transcripts (past academic records)RequiredImportantRequest transcripts from school 1 month (in early November)  before the app. deadline.
Letters of recommendationRequiredVery ImportantStart preparing statements 4 months before the app. deadline. Spend 2 months in writing/ revising the personal statement.
Personal StatementRequiredVery ImportantStart preparing statements 4 months before the app. deadline. Spend 2 months in writing/ revising the personal statement.
Resume or CVRequired by some programsImportantSpend 1 month in writing/ revising resume/CV.
InterviewsRequireVery Important 
Research SummaryNot Required (Optional)Very ImportantSpend 1 month preparing a 1-page summary for your ‘Research & writing samples’ including any papers, presentations, thesis, publications, etc.

You can upload a list or abstract(s) at the time of your app. deadline.

At this point, if you are seriously considering graduate school, you must buy Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student’s Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D. and A Ph.D. Is Not Enough!: A Guide to Survival in Science. Or if you want an overview of “Getting What You Came For”, here is a summary.

Also, read academic/science blogs or message boards. These will help you understand and navigate academic culture and give you better insight into the variety of experiences of academics. You can find great science blogs through ResearchBlogging, Scientific American, ScienceBlogs, Scientopia, and other science blog networks. You can also learn a lot about academic life in general by reading GradHacker, The Grad Café, GradLand, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Moreover, check out these links:

They are useful for students to seek advice about graduate school applications in Biology. These are run mostly by students for students. Almost all questions have been asked, but the quality of the answer varies, so take everything with a grain of salt.

Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on overview (under the tab of ‘overview’).

Most applicants suffer most because of inadequate information — or wrong information — about essays and personal statements. This section will address those inadequacies specifically in relation to applying for this program. Supplement the following field-specific tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘essay’) to craft a stellar personal statement.

BASIC INFORMATION

Personal Statement is very important component of your application. It can make or break your application. A 500-1500 word essay describing your background, research interests (for research-based programs), career goals, and fit with the department to which you’re applying is highly required.

ACTION-STEPS/ RESOURCES

Which resources should I make use of?

TIPS ON GOOD AND BAD STATEMENTS

What is essential in the statement:

  • The goal of the med school essay is to explain why you became interested in medicine in an essay that also shows who you are. It’s very similar in that respect to your college essay where you talked about different things you had done in order to give a sense of you as a person. Some possible things to discuss are your extracurricular activities (music, athletics, community service, etc) and what they have taught you, your research experience, and your academic interests. Try to have several people you respect, including hopefully at least one person in medicine, read your essay and offer you suggestions to improve it. If you are applying for MD/Ph.D. programs, make sure that you stress your interest in both research AND clinical medicine. Make sure you also research programs well so you can focus on the qualities that are important to each program when you write the supplemental essays they will require on “What interested you in our school of medicine?”
  • Show that your decision to pursue a biological career is an informed decision – how has your interest in that career developed over time? What kind of training will help you reach that career goal? Explain why you are interested in the school that you’re applying to.
  • Show that you understand the content of your previous research projects. Sound like a scientist, rather than a “pair of hands.”

This section will cover the basics of recommendation letters, which are one of the most important parts of the application process. Supplement the following field-specific tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘recommendations’) to ensure you have strong letters of recommendation.

BASIC INFORMATION

Choose letter writers who know you well enough to be able to describe your suitability for the Biological Sciences program to which you are applying.

ACTION-STEPS/RESOURCES

TIPS ON GOOD AND BAD LETTERS

What is essential in the LoRs:

  • Letters should be from people who know you. If you’ve attended office hours frequently for a professor, taken a small seminar class with a faculty member, or worked in a faculty member’s lab, these people may know you best. All letters do not need to come from professors in the sciences, but at least one probably should. In addition to science professors at your university, you may think about people who supervised you in a volunteer role or clinical experience, someone whose lab you worked in at another institution, a professor you had for a non-science class, or even a coach. This probably goes without saying, but make sure the person knows you. Getting a letter from someone who knows your parents and just knew you as a little kid is not helpful. In contrast, if this person knows you in an academic setting or worked with you/supervised you in an extracurricular activity, they might be appropriate.
  • MD/Ph.D. applicants should have at least one letter from someone whose lab they have worked in commenting on the student’s potential as a Ph.D. candidate and future researcher as well as the student’s potential as a clinician. Remember as an MD/Ph.D. you are applying for both the MD program and the Ph.D. program, so your letters should speak to the qualities that will make you succeed in both fields.

This section will cover everything else related to the application process; including transcripts, interviews, resumes, and standardized tests.

TRANSCRIPTS

Basic Information:

Requesting transcripts often takes time — plan ahead!

Timeline: Check your college’s Registrar’s policy when it comes to ordering your official transcripts.

Resources:

Tips:

  • Be aware that graduate programs usually require official transcripts from EVERY institution that you have attended.
  • Make sure your grades are recorded accurately, and that you report your grades and GPA correctly in your application.
  • If your recent GPA, or your GPA in your intended field of study related to Biology, is considerably higher than your overall GPA, emphasize that fact in the application. Ask your recommenders if they would consider doing so, too.

Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on transcripts (under the tab of ‘transcripts’).

INTERVIEWS

Basic Information:

For some reason, interviews and invited visits seem to be more common in the life sciences. This may either reflect the cultures of the fields (biologists are usually slightly more gregarious) or the amount of available funding (as a general rule, the more applied departments usually have more money). Therefore, most of the universities will ask for an interview.

Resources:

If you do get a call for an interview, in order to prepare well, seek advice from the following links in addition to the tips below.

Interview Tips:

MD:

  • The structure of interviews can vary from school to school. However, at many programs you will interview with two faculty or student interviewers. In places that use student interviewers, these students may have the same power as a faculty member in deciding your fate; however, they will be much closer in age to you and may be able to answer some of your questions about life at that medical school.
  • The two questions that you are pretty much guaranteed to get asked in some way are: Why do you want to be a doctor? and Why are you interested in our medical school? The best answers to the first question usually explain how one first became interested in medicine and then include some reference to clinical experiences that a student has had and how this confirmed his/her interest. For the second question, you need to do your homework. The school has a good reputation and I like this city are not great answers. Think about the curriculum of the school – do they have grades? Do they teach in small groups or lectures? How much time is spent on basic science courses before starting clinical rotations? Do students do research or have a thesis requirement? Focusing on the answers to these questions and how what the school has would be a great fit for you is key. If you know a student at a particular school you are interviewing, make sure you ask them what the school prides itself on.
  • Some other questions you may be asked include: Tell me about yourself. What is your favorite activity? Or asking you to tell them more about a specific activity you mentioned. What was your favorite class? What is your greatest strength/weakness? Tell me about your research. What are you passionate about? Do you know what area of medicine you might be interested in? (For the last question they don’t expect you to really know the answer. Most people change their minds in medical school. However, you may want to think about it, and if you have some ideas, definitely share them and why). Make sure you know your application inside and out. Anything you wrote in it is fair game for questions.
  • Some interviewers will have read your file and know a great deal about you. Others will not have read your file yet. You may be able to quickly figure out which is the case and adjust what you say accordingly. Think about what you want the interviewer to know about you before you go to the interview. Don’t totally take control of the interview, but make sure you get these points across.
  • Also, be prepared to ask your interviewer questions. They will leave time at the end for your questions or in rare cases might start off by asking you what questions you have. Try not to ask questions that could obviously be answered on the school’s website. However, it is fair to ask someone their take on something you have asked other people already or on something you have read about. You will get so many opportunities to ask questions, that you may be questioned by the time of your interviews. Asking someone for their take on something someone else has answered is a good way out of this problem.
  • Having a mock interview before your first interview is a great idea. It will make you less nervous and force you to think about answers to potential questions. If you have shadowed a clinician during your time as an undergrad, they may be able to give you a mock interview. Otherwise, if you have a friend who has been through the interview process before, they might be able to help out. Make sure you tell this person to give you their honest opinion. They should tell you what you are doing well but also point out what you should fix. The two biggest mistakes someone can make during an interview are coming across as cocky or being too insecure/not making eye contact. Presenting yourself confidently with direct eye contact is great, but never be condescending or talk negatively about other people.

MD/Ph.D.:

  • First off, read the above advice for MD’s. As an MD/Ph.D. applicant, you are being assessed for your appropriateness as an MD candidate and a Ph.D. candidate. If you cannot make a case for why you want to do medical school, you will not be admitted to an MD/Ph.D. program. If you are not accepted to an MD/Ph.D. program at a particular school but have explained well why you want to do an MD, you may be accepted for an MD position. MD/Ph.D. interviewers, like MD interviewers, are looking for people who genuinely want to be physicians and practice clinically. In addition, they want someone who loves research and will be an effective Ph.D. student. The goal of MD/Ph.D. programs is to produce the “triple threat” – clinician, researcher and teacher. Think about whether this is what you want to do and how you would be a good fit for these three things.
  • MD/Ph.D. interviews differ greatly from school to school. At least one school has a panel interview where multiple faculty members interview you at once. Try not to let this intimidate you. If one faculty member is particularly problematic, other faculty members may cut him or her off. Try to make eye contact with whoever is asking you the question for at least part of the time but also address the whole committee. Most schools though will give you one-on-one interviews with faculty members. Many schools have you interview with some people on the MD/Ph.D. committee and some on the MD committee though the number of interviewers you will have from each will vary depending on the school. Many programs will take you out to dinner – dress at these dinners varies, but usually, they are more casual than the interview. Feel free to ask ahead of time so you know what to pack. Some programs will offer you student hosts, others will pay for hotels and/or travel, and still others will only pay for dinner. Usually, programs will outline what they have to offer when they invite you for an interview. Interviews range from one day (which tends to be a really jam-packed exhausting day) to three or four days, but most programs will have two days of interviewing, sometimes with one day being a regular MD interview day and the other day being designed for MD/Ph.D. applicants.

Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on preparing for interviews (under the tab of ‘interview’).

RESUME/CV

Basic Information:

Most Biological Sciences programs ask not to exceed 2 pages. However, when applying for a Ph.D. program, you need an academic CV. You must follow an academic style CV which is much longer than a normal CV: up to 5 pages if necessary.

Resources:

Resume/CV Tips:

Go to general tips on building a resume (under the tab of ‘Resume/CV’).

STANDARDIZED TESTS

Basic Information:

The GRE general test is a must; the GRE Subject test is recommended but not required.

Tests Needed:

  • GRE General
  • GRE Biology
  • TOEFL – Required by most programs for international applicants

Resources:

General GRE:

According to the ETS chart, the average GRE scores of applicants with an intended major in Biology and other life sciences are: Verbal: 151, Quant: 151, Analytical: 3.8.

The above scores are intended major. What does “intended” major mean? It simply means that these are the average scores of people planning on applying to graduate school in a specific major.

Moreover, using a scale drawn from the limited score data in the US News & World Report’s report on graduate schools, here are the average scores of admitted applicants to the Biological Sciences graduate program:

 Top 10 programsPrograms ranked 11-50Programs ranked 51-100
VerbalMathsVerbalMathsVerbalMaths
Natural Sciences158-162154-158154-158152-156152-156150-154

Source: GRE scores for science programs – Magoosh GRE Blog

Remember that you will be applying to a hard science program, so applying to graduate school is anything but easy; this is just a “good-enough” approach that should put you in a decent position to create the appropriate study goals. So if you’re interested in a Master’s or Ph.D. in Biology from MIT, then this is a good place to start.

To prepare for standardized tests effectively and to be a successful Biology graduate applicant then go over the following links in addition to the tips below:

MCAT:

GRE Biology:

Best GRE Biology Books:

Test Tips:

Go to general tips on preparing for standardized tests (under the tab of ‘tests’).

This section will cover the approximate costs of the program and provide information on resources that may help with funding. Complement the following field-specific tips with general tips on finances (under the tab of ‘finances’).

ACTION-STEPS

Which resources can I find useful?

International fellowships typically have earlier deadlines (September-October). Here is the laundry list of various external fellowships for international applicants by Caltech, which has a combination of tuition, living stipend, research/travel grants, research internships, and conferences, lasts for 3-5 years, and may only be used at schools in the US.

TIPS ON FUNDING OPTIONS

A biological program can represent an important financial commitment on your part, so here are the ways you can meet them.

The following sources were consulted in developing this tip-sheet and we encourage you to consult these sources for additional information and guidance on your application.

Furthermore, the following sources were also consulted in developing this tip sheet: Course Guide – Biology by Top University.

Good Luck!