Instructions for MEMP Reviewers

A team of four screeners (Brett Bouma, Roger Mark, Collin Stultz, and Mehmet Toner) have reviewed all applications to MEMP (~240) and selected those that fall in approximately the top one-third for further review by the full committee. Therefore, on average, the caliber of these applications will be considerably higher than what you may have seen in prior years when the full committee reviewed the vast majority of applications received.

For each application, please provide a score of A, B, C, or D (no pluses or minuses, together with comments regarding the primary factors for the grade you assign.

• A: super-star candidate, very clearly has the preparation and potential to become the most productive and successful HST students in his/her class. It is anticipated that each reviewer will identify at most 2-3 such candidates.
• B: qualified candidate, will breeze through qualifying exams and rapidly transition into fruitful research. Great match for HST.
• C: has many relevant strengths, but possible minor omissions in preparation or incomplete match for HST. For this type of candidate, you should have the sense that he/she could do just fine in HST but that there is some risk.
• D: significant weaknesses that compromise potential for success in HST.

Five committee members have been assigned to review each application, and a ranking based on the average score will be used to determine which candidates are to be invited to interview at the beginning of March. During the interview process, your comments will be provided to the interviewers, so please flag any issues that you feel should be further explored during an applicant's interview.

In scoring the applications, please pay particular attention to evidence that the applicant:

• has a solid scientific or engineering background, with an undergraduate major in engineering or in physical science and with adequate preparation to succeed in one of the MEMP concentration areas;¹
• has successfully completed some coursework in the biological or biochemical sciences;
• has demonstrated significant interest and ability in the biomedical area, based on coursework, research, and/or industrial experience; (This should be medical or translational, as opposed to purely biological.)
• understands the objectives of MEMP and is committed to the biomedical and clinical elements of the curriculum, specifically intense coursework in biomedical sciences and structured clinical experiences;
• a commitment to research and a strong track record in research;
• is seriously committed to pursuing a PhD degree.²

In your review of applications, please consider the following factors:

• Academic performance and ability** GPA
  • course selection
  • GRE scores - Beginning this year, GRE scores are required for all MEMP applicants. The quantitative and analytical GRE scores of successful candidates are generally above the 90th percentile, and verbal scores are generally above the 75th percentile. However, scores are given less weight than grades, research experience, and recommendations.
• Research potential** letters of recommendation
  • publications and/or conference presentations
  • awards
• Motivation and career goals** essay
  • letters of recommendation
  • course selection
  • research topic(s)
  • extracurricular activities
• Intangibles / Interpersonal** consistent performance, or sufficient explanation for any gaps
  • clear messages in letters of recommendation, especially if written by individuals known to you
  • understanding of the unique aspects of the MEMP program
  • leadership and service

___________________________________________________________________________
To access the applications, please go to the HST PhD Admissions wiki at: http://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/HST/PhD+Admissions. If you have any difficulties accessing the wiki, or if you would prefer to receive a flash drive containing the applications assigned to you, please contact Laurie Ward (laurie@mit.edu) for assistance.
On the wiki, the applications are organized in a series of folders, alphabetically by the last name of the applicant. You will receive a list of applications to review. In addition your name will appear in the comment column of the wiki for the applications you were assigned. The individual pdf files are password protected, and the password will be provided to you via phone. If you are on a Mac and have difficulty opening individual files, please try using Acrobat Reader, as we have experienced some unresolved problems with Preview.
After reviewing each application, please submit your scores via the wiki as follows:

1. Go to http://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/HST/PhD+Admissions and click on <Reviewers' Scores and Comments>.
2. Select your name from the "Reviewer" drop down list.
3. Select the applicant's name from the "Applicant" drop down list.
4. Select your score from the "Grade" drop down list.
5. Submit comments in the "Comment" box provided. Please be sure to flag any issues that you feel should be explored at the interview stage.
6. Finally, click the "Submit" button below the "Comment" box, on the left.

Please enter all scores via the wiki by Thursday, January 28.

¹ Current concentration areas are: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Brain and Cognitive Science, Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics. Full details at [+http://hst.mit.edu/images/upload/TQEForm.pdf+|http://hst.mit.edu/images/upload/TQEForm.pdf].

² Unfortunately, MEMP tends to attract some applicants who hope it might be a back-door route for admission to Harvard Medical School.