General Admissions Criteria?

[Lokhtar]

Hello guys, This is such a great resource for students. I am very
interested in applying for the PhD program next year, but I am not
sure if I am competitive. I couldn't find average GPA/MCAT/GRE ranges
for this program, or average research experience. I know it will be
very competitive, and I will definitely apply regardless, but I am
wondering about this in general. Maybe there is a specific person I
can talk to about this?

I'd appreciate any guidance.

[Grant]

Hello,

There are current student biographies on the website, from which you should be able to extract research experience and approximate GPAs (based on Latin honors, etc.).  Don't know about typical test scores - maybe someone who does could comment?

[Lydia Durant]

Hey Lokhtar,

I would say the best people to contact about the average test scores are the program directors- Dr. Leonardo, Dr. Schwartz, Dr Seigel or Bridget Lampert. They will be able to give that sort of info to you. As far as research experience, its definitely a requirement to have spent time in a lab and the more time, the better. Its really to your benefit to have a good laboratory experience base because unlike typical US PhD programs, you are immediately thrust into your dissertation project rather than having rotations or coursework the first year or so. Also, you will be asked to write a detailed proposal of your project in the first two months. So its good to have a solid background in techniques and understand time frames for completing experiments! 

Definitely don't be discouraged to apply if you are worried about test scores. I think in general the program directors are more interested in what you have to offer as a scientist rather than how well you take a test :) Sometimes those two things don't go hand in hand. 

Hope this helps!

Lydia