<p>Hi, I am an international student who has applied to several Ivies. I would like to know how is the BIO department at Harvard in terms of faculty, class size, students, etc. In general, everything you can tell me about your opinion on the BIO program is welcomed. (I was thinking about concentrating in developmental and cell biology) Thanks!</p>
<p>These webpages may be of some use if you have not yet consulted these:</p>
<p>[Molecular & Cellular Biology](<a href=“http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/MCB.html”>http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/MCB.html</a>)</p>
<p>[Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology](<a href=“http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/HDRB.html”>http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/HDRB.html</a>)</p>
<p>thanks mifune. Though I have consulted the pages, I wanted to know what are people’s actual opinions, since a webpage might sound like one thing, but people might say other things from their own experience. Thanks anyways :)</p>
<p>As a fellow applicant interested majoring in Bio, I too would love to hear some opinions on the Bio department @ Harvard.</p>
<p>Bio is really too big at Harvard to be described monolithically.</p>
<p>Are you interested in stem cells (top notch dept), biological anthropology (my concentration, fantastic + world-renowned professors), neurobio (top notch), or any one of the other dozen subfields?</p>
<p>I don’t know enough to recommend all of them, but all of the the biology fields that I got to know when I was at H were fantastic. The courses aren’t uniformly amazing (I loved my evolutionary bio classes, but the Life Science series + intro neurobio classes were underwhelming). </p>
<p>Above all, the research opportunities at Harvard (including the med school + related hospitals, and the various institutes around cambridge) are just ridiculous.</p>
<p>ridiculous as in good??? what about Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology??</p>
<p>Research opportunities in the life sciences are ridiculous as in absurdly plentiful + unparalleled!</p>
<p>The HDRB concentration started after I left Harvard so I don’t know specifics, but I know that Harvard has a top notch stem cell dept, so I know you’d be taught by people who are leaders in the field.</p>
<p>as a “bio” student in harvard, you can also benefit from the faculty and facilities of the graduate schools. several of my friends who are majoring in a biological science field are doing research with folks from harvard medical school. i know some too who are taking medical school electives to “get ahead.”</p>
<p>WOW… that is definitely a GREAT aspect THANKS!</p>
<p>it is indeed. besides, you can also cross-register with MIT… :D</p>
<p>omg… now I want Harvard more than ever hahaha Hope I get in!!!</p>
<p>thanks neoseri!</p>
<p>@macarenaps:</p>
<p>i do feel the same way… haha… there is only one thing i will hate about harvard though: the snow… ewwwwww. assuming i get in of course.</p>
<p>keep the positive thinking… that is always good, best of luck!</p>
<p>and btw, snow is ok, I think you will learn to cope with it if you don’t know yet. (I personally do not know, but I adapt easily anyways haha). And if you do know, just suck it up, its Harvard haha</p>