<p>I am applying to harvard Ph.D program in Biomedical Sciences and MIT HST. I want to work in the field of computational biology. I ave a Master’s in Physics with 3.5 GPA, some Bioinformatics courses from Brandeis at 4.0 GPA, GRE score 800Q-640V. I expect to have good recommendation letters. I ave been out of school for 5 years and worked as a scientist developing algorithms at a biotech company. Can someone give me an idea of my chances.</p>
<p>It’s hard to predict how you will do in any application cycle, however I think it gets even more difficult when you have been removed from school for so long. I think it will be important for you to show aptitude in the biological sciences, especially if you are looking to switch to BMS. Or you need to make a strong case for why your background has prepared you for the research you are interested in in the BMS program. Have you taken the GRE, or GRE subject? It might be important to take the Biochem subject test to demonstrate aptitude. Just some thoughts.</p>
<p>Harvard BBS is a large umbrella program, and so students with excellent stats have a much better chance of gaining admission there than they do at smaller, similarly ranked programs. To me, you sound as though you have a good shot, especially since you’re interested in computational biology and have experience with it in a biotech research (I presume) company. Is your undergraduate transcript solid? Will you have LORs from published researchers and professors?</p>
<p>My undergraduate degree is a triple major in Physics, Math and Chemistry (That’s how it is in India usually). My transcript is decent. I have done better in master’s in Physics and my Bioinformatics courses at Brandeis. I am planning to take my LORs from people at work since they can write about my Computational Biology research aptitude instead of my Physics professors. My company is known and respected in academic circles so I am thinking it will be good for me.</p>
<p>I think you have a decent chance. One thing to remember, however, is that admission is also determined by how well you fit in the research program as well as availability of funding. It is probably wise to apply widely.</p>