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 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 PiN as the Degree Program
On the GSAS application, first select “Division of Medical Sciences” under Degree Program, then select “Neuroscience” under Area of Interest.
Statement of Purpose
Through the SoP, we’re looking to get to know each applicant as a person and as a scientist. How did your background and lived experience help shape you as a scientist? What are your interests and goals in graduate school? How do your research experiences and goals fit within this context? You should briefly establish a contextual framework, and we are excited to see a summary of your research experience, including the question(s)/topic(s) of your research, their importance, your hypotheses, how you tested your hypotheses, your findings, possible outcomes, and how you interpreted those outcomes. You are welcome to mention multiple projects as they relate to your trajectory, but you should spend extra time highlighting your most significant research project. The word limit for the SoP is 1,000 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 your other qualities as a scientist. Letters from course instructors can be helpful, but letters from research advisors are preferred.
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 each applicant's completed coursework provides sufficient background knowledge for their research area of interest and whether their academic performance in the relevant courses predicts success in their 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. This requirement applies to all applicants regardless of residency or citizenship status. A master’s degree or other graduate degree is not accepted as proof of English proficiency. 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.