Important Dates
- HILS Preview Weekend: September 25-27, 2025
- Application Launch Date: Monday, March 31, 2025
- Application Deadline: Monday, June 16, 2025
Please read the program description, eligibility criteria, and application instructions before beginning your application.
Apply for the HILS Preview Weekend
Program Description
The goal of the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) Preview Weekend is to provide an in-person academic professional development and community building experience for prospective HILS PhD program applicants who have not previously had the opportunity to visit Harvard and become familiar with its programs and resources. The promotion of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in STEM is core to the mission of the HILS Preview Weekend.
At the HILS Preview Weekend, participants will:
- Connect and network with HILS PhD program students, staff, and faculty.
- Gain insights into the application process and how to prepare a strong application for HILS PhD programs.
- Learn about resources, support, and the life sciences research environment at Harvard.
- Explore the city of Boston.
Lodging, airfare, and all meals are covered for HILS Preview Weekend participants.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- US citizens, permanent residents, or non-US citizens with DACA.
- Individuals who will be applying to PhD programs in the life sciences in 2025.
- Must be available to attend the entire in-person program.
Individuals ineligible for the HILS Preview Weekend include those:
- Who have participated in summer research, postbaccalaureate, or other outreach programs at Harvard, its affiliated hospitals and/or institutes.
- Who are current or former research assistants or master's students at Harvard or its affiliated institutes.
Please note that applications that do not meet these eligibility criteria will not be considered.
Who Should Apply?
- College seniors, postbaccalaureate students, research assistants, master's students, and STEM professionals
- Individuals with:
- A demonstrated interest in pursuing a PhD in the life sciences.
- A strong interest in HILS PhD programs.
- Prior hands-on research experience in a wet lab or dry lab environment.
We especially encourage applications from students who are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications are open to all, and HILS does not consider race, ethnicity, or national origin in reviewing applications.
Application Components
The HILS Preview Weekend application consists of the following components:
- Personal, academic, and research background.
- Unofficial transcripts.
- Statement of purpose–see instructions below.
- Personal statement–see instructions below.
- A letter of recommendation (from a faculty member in whose laboratory you have performed research)–see instructions below.
- Resume–see instructions below.
Note: There is no application fee for the HILS Preview Weekend.
Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Stay tuned for the launch of the application!
Statement of Purpose (1000 words max)
Your statement of purpose should be clear, concise, coherent, and no longer than 1000 words, including all of the following components:
- Describe your reasons and motivations for participating in the HILS Preview Weekend and pursuing a PhD in your chosen field(s), including how you will benefit from the HILS Preview Weekend (no more than 150 words).
- Briefly indicate your career objectives.
- Most importantly, detail your research experience. Your description of your current and/or previous research experience should include:
- The central question and/or hypothesis driving each of your research projects or research experiences.
- Key methods, results, and conclusions.
- Your specific experimental and intellectual contributions to the work.
Discuss 2-3 HILS faculty of interest and why you are interested in their research (no more than 100 words).
Your statement should be free from spelling or grammatical errors, well-structured with transitions, labeled with your first and last name, and comprehensible for someone who is not an expert in your field.
Personal Statement (500 words max)
Please describe the personal experiences that led you to pursue graduate education and how these experiences will contribute to the academic environment and/or community in your program or Harvard Griffin GSAS. These may include social and cultural experiences, leadership positions, community engagement, equity and inclusion efforts, other opportunities, or challenges. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.
Please note that there is no expectation to share detailed sensitive information and you should refrain from including anything that you would not feel at ease sharing. Please also note that the Personal Statement should complement rather than duplicate the content provided in the Statement of Purpose.
Letter of Recommendation
Please have a faculty member in whose lab you have conducted research submit a letter of recommendation for you, describing and discussing in detail:
Your work in their laboratory (including your specific experimental and intellectual contributions).
Academic performance.
Intellectual potential.
Motivation for graduate study.
Creativity and originality.
Other qualities that make you a strong candidate for PhD programs in the life sciences.
Note: You are responsible for ensuring that the faculty member writing your letter of recommendation submits it by the application deadline. Applications without a letter of recommendation will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
Resume or CV (1-2 pages)
Your resume or CV should include the following components, as applicable: your relevant education, research experience, teaching experience, presentations, publications, honors and awards, and relevant leadership, outreach, and extracurricular activities.