Basic eligibility requirements for admission to PiN include a bachelor’s degree and strong preparation in the sciences. While there are no specific degree subject, course, or research requirements, our curriculum assumes rigorous undergraduate coursework in the sciences, including biology, chemistry, and physics, and prior lab research experience. We welcome applicants who have trained outside of neuroscience and biology, but applicants are expected to have a demonstrated interest in neuroscience. Recognizing that not all undergraduate students have access to the same research opportunities and advising resources, PiN has established an in-house post-baccalaureate program (PiNBAC, launched in 2021) for students from underrepresented backgrounds and offers informal advising to prospective applicants (see Virtual Open Houses under "How to Apply" below). Many of our current students gained research experience after completing their undergraduate degree through a post-baccalaureate program or as lab assistants or technicians with increasing independence and responsibility, before applying.

Our committee takes a holistic approach to application review, carefully reading every section of the application in order to gain insight into the whole person in the context of their unique lived experience. We look for applicants who demonstrate the ability to “think like scientists” through prior lab research, whose academic training has prepared them for successful research in their area of interest, who have made the most of the opportunities available to them, who have shown leadership and resilience, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Most of our successful applicants have at least a year’s worth of sustained research experience completed through their undergraduate program, through a post-baccalaureate program, or working in a lab as a research assistant or technician with increasing independence and responsibility.

PiN does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, or any other protected classification.

Virtual Open Houses

PiN hosts a series of virtual open houses for prospective applicants in October and November each year, where the admissions chair and program directors are joined by current faculty and students to discuss all aspects of the program and the application process. See below for dates and event links!

Completing Your PiN Application

All applications must be submitted via the GSAS Admissions applicant portal and are due with all supporting materials by December 1. The applicant portal opens in September each year.

Selecting the Degree Program

On the GSAS application, first select “Division of Medical Sciences” under Degree Program, then select “Neuroscience” under Area of Interest.

Faculty of Interest

Applicants are welcome to list up to three PiN faculty affiliates with whom they would be interested in working if admitted to the program but are not expected to contact faculty during the application process. We’re aware that the GSAS application includes a section on contacting faculty for a subset of graduate programs, but contacting faculty is not required and has no bearing on admissions decisions for PiN. We recognize that students are in the early stages of exploring their research interests and that faculty of interest may change during and after the admissions cycle. Applicants invited to interview will have the opportunity in late December to list 6-8 faculty they’d be interested in meeting with during their visit in January. All first-year students are required to rotate in at least 2-3 different labs before choosing an advisor for their dissertation research and receive programmatic support as they navigate the broad network of affiliated labs.

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. We’re excited to see evidence of your ability to “think like a scientist” in this section of the application. (No longer than 1000 words)

Personal Statement

A core part of our mission is to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community. We are committed to educating individuals who reflect the growing diversity of perspectives and life experiences represented in society today and who will contribute to our commitment to sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. Please share how your experiences or activities will advance our mission and commitment. (No longer than 500 words)

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation (we can accept up to four). Letters from research advisors are the most informative. Your letter writers should know you well and should be able to speak to your intellectual character and other qualities as a scientist. Letters from course instructors can be helpful, but letters from research advisors are preferred. Applicants should make every effort to include a letter from the PI for their primary research experience; if your primary research PI is unable to submit a letter of recommendation, please let us know why in your application (by uploading a brief statement to Additional Materials).

Transcripts

Applicants should upload an unofficial copy of their transcript(s) to complete their application via the GSAS applicant portal and will be able to add fall term grades after the December 1 deadline as needed. Only matriculating students are required to submit official transcripts (with a deadline in July before enrollment). The PiN admissions committee reviews transcripts considering whether your academic coursework provides sufficient background knowledge and predicts success in your research area of interest.

GRE

PiN no longer accepts GRE scores (as of 2019). If you submit them, they will not be seen by our admissions committee.

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 language proficiency by submitting TOEFL (minimum 100) or IELTS Academic (minimum 7.0) scores. We are not able 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. More here.

Application Fee Waiver

GSAS is committed to ensuring that the application fee does not create a financial obstacle. Applicants can determine eligibility for a fee waiver by completing a series of questions in the Application Fee section of the application. Once these questions have been answered, the application system will provide an immediate response regarding fee waiver eligibility.  More here.

The PiN admissions committee comprises current PiN faculty with substantive experience advising doctoral students. Committee members complete diversity, equity, and inclusion training in admissions prior to application review. Each application is read by multiple committee members, who take a holistic approach to review (i.e., carefully reading every section of the application in order to gain insight into the whole person in the context of their unique lived experience). All applicants are reviewed in the same pool regardless of citizenship status or other demographic factors. The committee invites around 50 applicants to interview in January and makes around 30 offers for an average of 22 places in each incoming class.

All finalists are invited to interview on campus in Boston the third weekend in January. We schedule five faculty interviews and one student interview for each applicant based on research interests and applicant requests, on Friday, in addition to offering recruitment events Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening. Interviews are casual but focused on scientific discussion. Our interviewers are excited to talk to you about their research and to hear about yours! PiN student interviewers are given the same weight as faculty interviewers in the interview evaluation process. The interview weekend is designed to help applicants get to know us as a community, get to know each other, and have fun along the way!