Our goal is identify students with the capacity to develop into independent research scientists. We use many aspects of the application to evaluate the likelihood that a student will take ownership of a research project. These include: the three short essays, letters of recommendation, prior research experiences, and coursework relevant to our core disciplines of cell biology, molecular biology, genomics, developmental biology, and biochemistry.

• Three short essays (see prompts below)
• Transcript(s)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• TOEFL Score (International students only)

Doctoral students are accepted into the MCBGP with a commitment of financial support while their research and academic studies progress satisfactorily. This support includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance.  

Brown University Graduate School Questions

Applicants will choose one of the following prompts (300 words or less): 

• Discuss specific examples of how your background, knowledge, and life experiences would influence your ability to both benefit from and contribute to Brown’s inclusive academic community.
• Discuss how you aspire to contribute to our mission to promote diversity and inclusion through your research, teaching, or service.

MCBGP Questions

In place of a Personal Statement, we request that you address the following sets of questions in 250-500 words each. 

1. Please explain your motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the molecular life sciences and how the MCBGP will help you reach your goals. Are there particular research areas or research groups that especially interest you? How will earning a Ph.D. advance your career goals?
2. How have your prior research experience[s] and academic studies prepared you to pursue a Ph.D degree? Describe the rationale behind a project you have contributed to and how your contribution fit into the larger goals of the project. 

You are welcome to attend a series of Zoom Drop-in Sessions, which we’re holding this Fall 2025 (see schedule below). You can meet members of our community and learn about how our program works. Each Drop-in Session will be followed by a program-wide Data Club meeting, which you will be welcome to attend. Data club is a bi-weekly event, and it provides our current graduate students an opportunity to present their ongoing research to a broad MCBGP audience that includes students, faculty, and postdocs.

If you would like to participate, please complete this short survey:

Survey

Once completed, our Graduate Program Coordinator provide you with a Zoom link to one of the following Drop-in Sessions:.