<p>im wondering if it's not advisable to apply more than one program in one school (i.e. harvard bbs, harvard-mit hst, harvard applied science, and etc) i know this is allowed but (since i have a few faculty members i really want to work with) what's really good for an applicant's chance? does applying to two programs with the same prof as a desired mentor increase a chance at all? i just dont want to waste money. let me know</p>
<p>At Harvard, in the life sciences, you can actually just apply to the HILS</a> (Harvard Integrated Life Sciences) program and simultaneously apply to all life sciences-related programs at Harvard.</p>
<p>should i put my "favorite" PI in all programs (since they can advise any grad student from HILS) or mix and match?? i feel like if i indicate my desired mentor clearly, no matter how many programs i apply, that prof is going to read my application once (and reject/accept). at the same time, if i mix&match the list, that might imply that i dont have well defined interest or something.</p>
<p>mollieatmit, how did you do it?? and how important is it to have a deeply defined research interest?</p>
<p>Well, when I applied, I didn't have a very well-defined area of research. I also only applied to BBS, because I wasn't interested in MCB or the other life sciences PhD programs. </p>
<p>I would definitely indicate that you're interested in working with a certain professor. But I think it's useful to also mention a few other people you'd be interested in working with, in case that professor isn't taking students or something.</p>
<p>I think that you can only apply to 3 harvard programs (actually, you only get 3 times to apply to HILs programs ever). You actually need to resend the app for each of the hils programs (they make it seem easier than it is to apply twice), but most of the things stay filled in. You do need to send multiple LOR requests. The admissions between the schools seem pretty disparate. I got an interview request quite early from system biology, and was admitted to BBS very late-- after most other people I know were accepted. I know people who were only admitted to one of the HILs programs, even though they applied to multiple. </p>
<p>THe people who you indicate on your SOP or that you are interested in working with rarely actually read you application. Members of the admissions committee read the apps, and then I think that the ppl that you interview with get a copy of your app-- although whether they actually read it or not prior to your visit is unclear.</p>
<p>Are you saying that I could increase my chances of acceptance at Harvard by applying to multiple departments? I have a clearly defined research interest that falls into BBS, specifically the microbiology department. Could I apply to pathology and immunology and have three times better of a shot? Does this cost extra? Does this relate to the interests section of the application where you indicate with a one, two or three which research areas appeal most to you?</p>
<p>You send in separate applications for each program. I think that it costs per application, but I could be wrong about that. It's slightly confusing, I remember, because they claim that it's easier than it actually is to apply to multiple programs. I had to rush at the last minute to get my rec letters submitted to the BBS program because I thought that if I submitted them once to HILs that it was okay.</p>
<p>I *think<a href="although%20I%20do%20not%20know%20for%20sure">/i</a> that the HILS application process has been streamlined somewhat this year. HILS is still pretty new, and their procedures have been evolving over the past few years.</p>
<p>belevitt, you can apply to BBS and Immunology together with one application, as these are both DMS (Division of Medical Sciences) programs housed together at the medical school. (Pathology I think is within BBS? Perhaps I am wrong here.) When I applied, I think I had to write a letter or something indicating that my second choice was the Neuroscience program, and it did not cost extra.</p>
<p>The question is, of course, whether this actually increases your odds of admission. My gut feeling is "maybe a little, but not by a huge amount" -- an application that isn't competitive at one program isn't likely to be competitive at another program.</p>
<p>I checked out the websites associated with this and it actually seems like you have the opportunity to have your application reviewed independently by multiple admissions committees without having to pay extra. Since faculty in similar areas are also crosslisted, it wouldn't preclude rotations/thesis in a lab in a different department. I do think that in my particular situation that my application would be competitive with one admission committee and not another because the character of one department may place a higher premium on experience (I have seven years of experience) while another might place more focus on grades (I have a lousy 3.3 gpa from undergrad). In a perfect world all of these factors would be balanced but I can imagine some faculty resorting to objective terms eg numerical statistics like gpa, while others would have a more open minded approach and understand the evolutionary nature of the educational process.</p>
<p>From the divison of medical sciences at Harvard</p>
<p>"You can only apply to one program within DMS, however, if you are not sure which program is best for you, please address that in your Statement of Purpose. DMS welcomes discussion with applicants who would like assistance in determining the most appropriate subject area for their interests."</p>
<p>So much for having my application be reviewed by multiple independent admission committees with this school.</p>
<p>Well, that's lame. They must have changed that within the last few years.</p>