Kaede

Well yes, collaborations always happen between the two, especially if a professor at MIT has a more translational focus or is looking to conduct a translational project. Perhaps the largest collaboration between the two is the MD-PhD program, where students get an MD at HMS and a PhD at MIT. But in terms of the programs themselves, MIT does focus far more on basic science. It doesn't mean there aren't researchers that are on the more translational side (especialy at the Broad) but in general there is a cultural difference between the two programs that way.

The structures of the programs are different. Everyone at MIT bio takes their classes in the first semester and four week rotations start second semester, while BBS courses span first year and the program overall is more flexible. If I'm not mistaken, BBS also has a biomedical focus while MIT is on the more basic science side.

Accepted by UC Merced QSB!

I brought some just in case, but thus far all everyone I have interviewed with had a copy of mine already that was submitted through the application.

Yes it was someone I interviewed with.

Pretty sure I will be attending this program. Just waiting on the Stanford interview to confirm that this was definitely the right place to be. So excited to be with you all!

Interesting, I just got a call from a faculty member. Perhaps some faculty are calling a bit later to congratulate the students.

Also accepted via email! Good luck all!

Awesome! Was it one of your interviewers who called you, or someone else? Congratulations again!

Around what time EST did you get the call? I am going to be in class/lab all day tomorrow and will be paranoid all day... lol

Congratulations!!

I know they mentioned awarding NIH Training Grants to students - are these students notified when they are called with an acceptance?

Can GSAS dictate the number of accepted students for BBS? I know that the MCO program itself is told by GSAS how many people they are allowed to accept, and that this is subject to change every year.

Come on BBS, let's try for today for week 1!

Just wanted to update the thread. After an informative summer and a rough semester, I decided to go through with applications and am very happy I did so. Being at interview weekends and speaking with other students really put into perspective where people are at when they are applying to graduate school, and I agree with @TakeruK's previous point that this was definitely coming from Imposter Syndrome rather than an actual deficiency. If anyone so happens to come upon this thread in the future feeling the same way, I'd like to make a few recommendations that have helped me substantially. First, if you're unsure, apply - and if you get interviews - go! You'll hopefully come to know where that insecurity is coming from. And if you chalk it down to Imposter Syndrome, don't listen to that voice. Also, I recommend taking an earlier load senior year if possible, and then doing nothing productive over the summer. My easier load has already started to feel like a gap year, and I feel like all I'd need is a few months of chilling before I'm ready to continue forward. Thank you again to everyone who responded to this thread with your insights. It was very much appreciated and helped immensely.

Same! Congratulations!

Thank you! Which program did you apply to?

Has anyone heard from UCLA Biosciences?

I second that that is much more specific than mine. When I mentioned professors, I just said that I would like to expand upon my previous work in X through [Professor's Name]'s work in Y, or that my previous work in X makes me a great fit for [Professor's name]'s lab.

Hmm, interesting - I wonder why the administrator told me that they were not finished sending invites. Let's just go under the impression that they are done, and hopefully be pleasantly surprised if it turns out they're not.

Thank you for this information! Better to go in with a competitive environment than feeling overconfident.

I believe they haven't sent out offers yet.

Just called MIT Biology and they confirmed that not all of the interview offers have been sent out.

So we've had two conflicting reports about the status of MIT Biology interviews... anyone have any other insight to add as to whether MIT Bio is finished with interviews or not? If not, I'll give them a call tomorrow...

Thank you! Good luck to you!