Kaede

From what I remember, it was over the span of two or so hours, though I can’t guarantee that will be the case this year.

Current Harvard BBS student. Can confirm that interview invites will be out tomorrow.

I got into Harvard BBS with a Q162. My impression is that the GRE score will not be a make or break if your scores are high enough like yours are.

Have been assigned to a daily supervisor yet? Or have you spoken with the PI about your role in the lab? It could be that there was a misunderstanding somewhere as to what your desired role in lab is. Either way, it is on you to (respectfully) advocate for what you want. If you want a project, a timetable for when you will get started on one is definitely something to discuss with the PI.

A quizlet user, jordygold, has uploaded Manhattan's basic GRE vocabulary set in 50 parts. Avoid the biology tests if you can because doing well may not help too much but doing badly will hurt you. The only times you should seriously consider taking the test are if your grades in your courses aren't strong (there may be doubt that you know the material). There may be other instances as well but if your application doesn't have super weak parts for it, just avoid the subject tests.

In terms of being transparent with your advisor, is it recommended to just speak about the symptoms of your disability or is it better to disclose the disability itself? I'm thinking in particular of cognitive disabilities where there are misunderstandings about the nature of the disorder, such as dyscalculia or ADHD. For example, would one tell their advisor "I have dyscalculia" or "I am prone to careless mistakes in math"?

I understand that and am happy for those people but your original post was patronizing. Let's just support the needs of each individual, whether they feel like they need to prepare for their courses or take time off. Neither is a "waste of itme."

Yeahhhhhhhhhhh no. I've been in school for 17 year straight. Taking a few months off before committing to a job for the rest of your life with few breaks is not a waste of time. In fact, having studied student affairs quite a bit, students who take time off are less likely to be burnt out several years into their program than those who did not. You'll probably be fine without it, but equally as valid is taking a break and enjoying life.

Harvard BBS! (I'm a part of both the BBS/MCO facebook groups though so if you want an invite PM me!)

Honestly... playing lots of video games.

I encourage getting creative as long as your story directly relates to your academic research. I started out with a "cliche" pre-med opening for my statement but many professors remarked that the anecdote was a refreshing start to a statement of purpose. If you have an anecdote, I would make sure it doesn't last more than a paragraph and that it relates directly to the development of your research interests.

That is odd... I was VG/VG, E/VG, E/E in Physiology and won the award... ETA: Which is easily explained by @bioinformaticsGirl's comment

Just heard back!!! GOT THE FORD!!!

Yes, everyone should have received an email regardless of the outcome.

They look at intellectual merit and broader impacts separately, and each reviewer gives a grade for both IM and BI. I am an undergraduate so they did not ask me for my GRE - not sure if they require it for other applicants. Based on the comments I got, it looks like IM consists of your proposal, your GPA, awards, etc. All of them commented on GPA/awards/fellowships first and then on the proposal, though I'm not sure if this is indicative of importance. Letters of recommendation seemed to be important for both categories - all of my reviewers commented about my LORs for both categories, albeit with different focuses (potential to be a scientist vs. backing up what I said in my BI). I can't say for sure if there is an overall importance, though I imagine your proposal/broader impacts statement and letter of recommendation are the most important part of your application. If you have weaknesses in other areas though, I doubt it will have a trivial impact.