FAQ for Prospective MEMP students

How do I decide if I should apply to MEMP through MIT or Harvard?

 

How do I apply to MEMP through both MIT and Harvard?

 

When can I begin an application?

 

What is the deadline to apply?

 

What supporting documents are required?

 

If I am applying through Harvard, how do I supply supporting documents to HST?

 

May I send additional supporting materials?

 

Is the GRE required?

 

Are IELTS or TOEFL scores required for international students who attended US colleges?

 

Where do I send supporting documents?

 

How will I know if my application is complete?

 

What happens after HST receives my application?

 

When will my application be reviewed?

 

When will I know if I have been selected for an interview? When are the interviews?

 

How will I know whether or not I have been accepted?

 

What are my chances of being accepted to MEMP?

 

If I'm accepted, can I defer my admission until the following year?

 

 Can I still apply to MEMP if my undergraduate major is not in engineering or physical sciences?

 

Can I still apply if...

 

Will I have to take MEMP Quals if...

 

Do MEMP students get a master's degree on the way to their PhD?

 

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A: The MEMP program trains students to advance human health. The MEMP program is a unique combination of curriculum, practice and community that integrates:

A: The MEMP program differs significantly from many biomedical engineering (BME) doctoral programs because of its breadth and its depth in multiple dimensions. It not only emphasizes grounding in a classical discipline but it also provides much more exposure to the medical sciences than most BME programs. This exposure comes in many forms, including biomedical sciences coursework in which MD students are peers as well as through multiple clinical experiences. The MEMP program also provides an open environment that allows students to follow their interests even when they cross the conventional barriers between disciplines, professions and institutions.

 

A: HST expects that the majority of MEMP candidates will apply through MIT, using the MIT online Application for Graduate Admission. You should apply through Harvard if: 

Candidates applying to MEMP in conjunction with either of these Harvard programs should follow these instructions.

 

Candidates applying to MEMP through Harvard should note that because admission to SEAS and to Biophysics is extremely competitive and class sizes are small, HST encourages you to submit a MEMP application through MIT as well as through Harvard.

 

A: Candidates applying to MEMP through both MIT and Harvard need to submit two completely independent applications following both sets of MEMP admissions instructions; however, in this case it is not necessary to send paper copies of recommendation letters.

 

A: Our application website opens on August 1.

 

A: Deadlines for admission are typically in early December preceding the fall term in which you apply.

 

We appreciate receiving all recommendations by the application deadline, as that will expedite the processing of your application. We do accept recommendations received shortly after the deadline, but all recommendations must be received by January 4 in order for your application to receive full consideration.

 

A: Transcripts: All applicants will submit scanned transcripts from each college or university attended as part of their online application.  Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked to arrange for an official transcript to be sent directly from each school attended. Please do not send official of transcripts until you are prompted to do so. We accept electronic transcripts. Upon request from HST, electronic transcripts and instructions for validating the electronic signature should be sent to hst-adms-team@mit.edu.

 

Transcripts from foreign universities must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by an official English translation.

 

Letters of recommendation: three letters are required, of which at least two should come from people who are well-acquainted with your academic work and research abilities. Beyond the three required letters, candidates may submit up to two additional letters if desired.

 

HST strongly prefers letters be submitted online. If your recommender encounters problems, hard copies may be sent to HST:

 

Paper copies of letters must be signed originals, on institution letterhead, accompanied by the "MIT Evaluation for Graduate Admission" cover form, sent in a sealed envelope by the recommender, and signed over the seal.

 

HST does not accept emailed or faxed letters of recommendation.

 

Test score reports: The GRE general test is required. Please have your GRE scores sent to HST at MIT using institution code 3514 and department code 0699-Health and Medical Sciences.

 

If your first language is not English, you need to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS. This requirement is waived if the language of instruction in your high school/secondary school was English. If you take the TOEFL, you must achieve a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100 on the internet-based test. On the IELTS you must score a minimum of 7. Please have your official test scores sent to HST at MIT using institution code 3514 and department code is 99.

 

Applicants applying through MIT will be asked to upload a PDF copy of their test scores as part of the application.  These will be place holders until official test scores can be inserted into the application.

 

A: Letters of recommendation: if your letters are submitted to Harvard, HST will NOT receive them automatically. You must ask your recommenders to send original signed letters directly to HST, accompanied by the cover form for recommendations from the Harvard application.  Hard copies are to be sent to

 

Test score reports: all GRE or language test results should be official copies sent directly to HST from the testing service, in addition to the official copies sent to Harvard.

 

A: HST does not accept additional supporting materials, and if received, such materials will not be reviewed.

 

A: GRE general test scores are required of all MEMP applicants. The quantitative and analytical GRE scores of successful candidates are generally above the 90th percentile, and verbal scores are generally above the 75th percentile. However, scores are given less weight than grades, research experience, and recommendations.

 

To send GRE scores to HST, use ETS codes 3514 (institutional code) and 0699-Health and Medical Sciences (departmental code).

 

A: Yes. HST places a high premium on both written and spoken communication skills, and requires any candidate whose native language is not English to submit proof of language proficiency, even if the candidate received an undergraduate or masters degree from a U.S. institution. 

 

Applicants whose secondary (high school) education was conducted in English are eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Applicants should identify English as the language of instruction for their secondary education on the MIT application form.

 

HST also accepts TOEFL or IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Applicants are required to have a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based) or an IELTS score of at least 7. In addition, recommenders whose native language is English may provide input regarding the applicant's English proficiency in their letter of recommendation.

 

When submitting TOEFL scores, use codes 3514 (institutional code) and 99 (departmental code). For IELTS score reports, no code system is used; only the name of the department (Health Sciences and Technology) is required. 

 

A: The mailing address for any material to be sent by postal mail is:

 

HST PhD Admissions

MIT E25-518

77 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02139

 

A: After the application deadline, we will notify you by email that your application has been received. At that time, we will also inform you if any supporting materials are missing. Please note that because of the large volume of applications received just before the deadline, it may take from several days to a few weeks before we can acknowledge receipt of your application.

 

A: The stages in our process are:

A: The HST Graduate Admissions Committee reviews all MEMP applications during the month of January. Applications are reviewed by a number of members of the Committee. 

 

A: In early February, HST emails invitations to candidates who have been selected to interview. Candidates who are not selected to interview will receive formal notification of their status as soon as possible.

 

Candidates chosen for interviews will be expected to come to MIT during our interview period, typically held in late February or early March. In the case of applicants at a significant distance (generally those outside of North America), telephone interviews may be conducted. The final admissions decisions will be made from the pool of interviewed applicants.

 

A: Applicants invited to interview will be notified by mid- to late March of HST's decision. All notifications are sent via email.

 

Candidates offered admission will be asked to let us know their decision as soon as possible, but no later than April 15th. 

 

A: Admission to MEMP is extremely competitive, with 15-20% of applicants invited to interview and less than 10% of applicants offered admission.

 

All candidates to MEMP should have at least a baccalaureate degree in engineering or physical science. Successful candidates will have demonstrated a sustained interest in applications of engineering and physical science principles to biology or medicine through courses, research, and/or industrial experience. In addition, successful candidates typically have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher on a 4.0 scale, strong letters of recommendation from faculty or others with whom they have worked closely, and relevant prior research experience. The quantitative reasoning GRE scores of successful candidates are generally above the 90th percentile, while verbal reasoning and analytic writing scores are generally above the 75th percentile. However, GRE scores are given less weight than grades, research experience, and recommendations.

 

Q: What types of financial support are available?

A: All incoming students are considered for internal fellowship support. Funding offers depend on individual circumstances but usually include tuition, stipend and health insurance for the first academic year. After that, students are typically funded by research assistanships, teaching assistantships and outside fellowships.

Q: I'm an international student. How does that effect my chances of being admitted and receiving first-year funding?

A: All applications are evaluated without consideration of nationality or citizenship. Similarly, funding offers to admitted candidates are typically the same for domestic and international candidates.

A: You should apply to MEMP in the December preceding the fall term in which you intend to enroll. HST does not grant deferals for students to pursue business ventures, industrial experience, public service opportunities, travel or educational programs unrelated to medical engineering. HST will consider requests for deferrals in cases where applicants receive opportunities for international study via the Churchill Scholarship, Whitaker International Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship and other similar programs.

Q: Can I still apply to MEMP if my undergraduate major is not in engineering or physical sciences?

A: A traditional life sciences curriculum is generally not adequate preparation for MEMP.  However, some successful applicants have an undergraduate degree in the life sciences augmented by extensive coursework in mathematics, physics, engineering, and/or computer science. This may take the form of formal minor program or a less-formal collection of courses that provide a similar level of expertise in a quantitative field.
 

... I'm a first year grad student at MIT in Mechanical Engineering (or another engineering or physical science discipline)? I didn't know about HST when I applied to graduate school, but now I'm really interested in MEMP.

 

A: Yes, you may. If admitted, you would transfer from Mechanical Engineering to MEMP. It's very likely that the coursework and research that you are doing in your first year of graduate school can be used to satisfy requirements towards your MEMP degree.

 

...I'm a first year grad student at MIT in Chemical Engineering (or another engineering or physical science discipline), I've already passed my quals in my department, and I've been accepted to MEMP for next year?

 

A: If you've already passed doctoral qualifying exams in another department at MIT, then you can submit a petition requesting to substitute that qualifying exam for your MEMP quals. The faculty committee that oversees MEMP quals will decide on your petition by reviewing your academic performance and comparing the ChemE quals to the MEMP quals.

 

A: Master's degrees are not required in MEMP, and HST does not typically grant master's degrees to MEMP students. It is possible for MEMP students to earn a master's degree in a related field (for example, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering). If you are interested in this option, you must apply directly to the appropriate department for their master's program. In most cases, the coursework and research required for the master's degree can also be used to satisfy requirements towards your MEMP degree.