Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology program: Everything you need to know

The 21st century is the century of technology and scientific discoveries. Therefore, modern organizations need people with sound technical and scientific skills apart from managerial and business skills, regardless of education, business, or even the healthcare system. To meet this need, at Harvard University, Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology program: MBA Life Sciences Program has been framed as a joint degree under the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) as well as Harvard Medical School through the Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. 

The program’s main aim is to equip students with the latest business ideas and scientific insights, in addition to their existing knowledge of biotech and life sciences.

The joint degree program confers an MBA graduation degree from the HBS and an M.Sc. degree from the (GSAS) and Harvard Medical School. 

The program is completed over two academic years, utilizing January terms and August at the program’s start. The curriculum is structured over two years to emphasize developing efficient business models in the field of life sciences and understanding the ethical implications of new therapeutics to develop models of equitable access to these discoveries. 

Upon completing the program, graduates would be empowered to understand and transform organizations related to new drug discoveries and therapeutics and develop strategies and novel ways to expand access to these at affordable prices.  

In this article, we will learn all about the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program offered at Harvard University, which is a joint degree program under the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) as well as Harvard Medical School through the Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. In addition, this article will confer knowledge on the course curriculum, eligibility, admission process, tuition fees & Scholarships, acceptance rates, class profile, and future prospects.    

Curriculum

The curriculum’s main aim is to equip students with Harvard biotech and life sciences with vast knowledge of business and management so that these insights could be used to transform organizations related to therapeutics and drug discoveries. In addition, the 21st century needs more world leaders working at the intersection of science and society and an in-depth understanding of life sciences and management. 

To meet this, the curriculum is designed to emphasize an understanding of an effective business model that is sustainable in each aspect of the discovery and development of new therapeutics and developing a model to ensure unbiased access to the benefits of therapeutic discovery.

The entire Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program at Harvard University is divided over two academic years. The first term begins in August, and students have the option to pursue internships in the summer between years 1 and 2. 

Now, let’s look at the entire program timeline in brief to get an idea of the basic structure of the MS/MBA program.   

Year	Term	Syllabus
First Year	First-term (August)	– HBS Online CORE- NEXTGEN Biotechnology at HBS Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
	Fall term	– Finance 1- Financial Reporting and Control- Leadership & Organizational Behavior- Marketing- Technology & Operations Management-
	January	– Data Analytics for Life Sciences
	Spring term	– Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE)- The Entrepreneurial Manager- FIELD Immersion- Finance II- Leadership and Corporate Accountability- Strategy- Life Science, Ethics, and Management Seminar
Summer gap	The summer gap is provided between the two academic years for students to pursue an internship. Internships are done in various biotech and life sciences fields comprising pharmaceutical companies, start-up life science, and biotech companies or consultancies with a major focus on biotech & life sciences.
Second Year	Fall Term	– Frontiers in Therapeutics- Science Elective- (2) HBS Electives- Life Science, Ethics, and Management Seminar
	January	– Capstone Project 1
	Spring term	– Capstone Project 2- (2) HBS Electives Harvard Business School- (2) Science Electives- Life Science, Ethics, and Management Seminar[1]

There you go! The above table will help you understand the basic structure of the Course with ease. Moreover, if you want to know about every topic of the program, you can click on the link below.

Eligibility and Admission Process 

Pursuing an MBA is a life-altering decision that requires a significant investment in both time and money. The Harvard Institute is one of the top premier institutes, and Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program seeks a diverse group of exceptional students with a UG-level degree in life sciences/biotech or a significant amount of experience in biotechnology or life sciences.

Most candidates with a STEM UG background are considered alongside students with advanced degrees such as MD or Ph.D. However, in rare circumstances, candidates from a non-STEM background are considered only if they have any substantial or extensive advanced coursework related to the program. In addition, the enrolling candidates are expected to be familiar with the coursework.

 That’s all about eligibility; now, let’s take a quick glance over the admission process. 

Admission Process

 To enroll in the MS/MBA Biotechnology:

 A candidate in the Life Sciences Program of Harvard University must apply and be selected by HBS and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). The admission process is quite similar to any other management school. After submitting a written application and all the required documents like a resume, essays, LORs, and test scores, selected candidates are invited for the interview process; then a decision notification is released. After that, the candidates can apply for either the MS or MBA program hosted in the HBS application system.

Application Filling

Before filling out the application form, candidates must create an HBS account, which would be the sole source of communication and depository for materials throughout the application process. After that, choose the course name and an application round you want to apply. Always remember to select the round most compatible with your timeline to ensure maximum chances of selection. For more in-depth details about MBA application rounds, click the link below.

Submission of Documents

Candidates are required to submit all relevant and required documents for both the MBA as well as the Master of Science applications.

1. Documents Required for MBA

– Application form, 

– Resume, 

– Official transcript(s), 

– Written Essays, 

– Test scores, 

– LORs (at least two)

– Application fee. 

2. Documents Required for Master Of Science

For Masters, all the above-required documents as for the MBA application are a must except that some additional documents like 

– One additional supplemental essay 

– One additional LOR is also required 

Interview Process

If the university has decided to move forward with your candidacy, you would only receive an interview invitation notification issued around October for application round 1 and in February for application round 2. The HBS has its style of the interview process, which is made unique by mixing constituents from your resume, essays, and career goals along with some typical behavioral and generic questions. Tackling these questions requires more than just raw intellect. You should be well versed with each scenario that could be attained only through practice. 

Looks a bit complicated? Fret not; MBA interviews are supposed to be at a different level to help them choose future world leaders. If you want more help, you can take the quiz or schedule a 1:1 session with us to understand the nature of MBA interviews. Moreover, you can also go through our article How to prepare for the MBA interview questions? So that you can develop your vision using creativity, precision, and clarity.

Decision Notification

Enter the final step! The HBS and GSAS would release the final admissions decisions for both rounds in succession. Round 1 in mid-December and Round 2 in March. 

Based on the admissions committee decisions, a candidate may be selected into the following courses:

– MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program

– MBA Biotechnology 

– Life Sciences Programs only if not selected for the Master of Science program. 

Tution Fees and Living Costs

The Harvard MBA program is one of the world’s most prestigious and expensive MBA programs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition and fees for the MBA program are as follows: Tuition is $87,872, the HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF) is $1,592, the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is $4,202, the HUSHP for Student Spouses/Dependents ranges from $0 for a single student to $16,198 for a married student with two children, the Course & Program Materials Fee is $2,650, and housing for 10 months ranges from $19,200 for a single student to $38,400 for a married student with two children or more.

The total cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, ranges from $115,516 for a single student to $150,914 for a married student with two children. In 2020-2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tuition was adjusted to $79,455 after the Field Global Immersion course was cancelled. In recent years, Harvard Business School has taken steps to make the MBA program more affordable, including increasing scholarship offerings to cover the full tuition and fees for around 10% of students based on financial need.

Expense	Cost in $
Tuition	$87,872
HUHS Student Health Fee	$1,592
Student Health Insurance Plan	$4,202
HUSHP for Student Spouses/Dependents	$0
Course and Program Materials Fee	$2,650
Room and Utilities (10 Months)	$19,200
Living Expenses (10 Months)	$19,800
Total	$135,316
Computer (Variable; not included above)	$1,500

Scholarships & Financial Aid

As mentioned above, the Harvard MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences stands at one of the costliest programs, and a large volume of investment is required to pursue the program. All the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences students are subjected to the Financial Aid policies of the HBS. The Financial Aid & Scholarship Board, as per the annual Cost of Attendance sheet, determines financial aid and awards. The rewards are based on direct and indirect expenses, per student surveys.

Other than this, all students can apply for student loans and need-based HBS Scholarships.

Moreover, The Chris and Carrie Shumway Foundation is responsible for rewarding all the respective candidates. The latter matriculates in the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program, an incremental $5,500 scholarship for each academic year, disbursed in half for the fall term and the other half for the spring.

In case you want to know more about every scholarship provided by the Harvard Business School in-depth, you can check the official website; the given link is –           

Harvard MS/MBA Biotech Acceptance Rate

Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotech program is one of the most competitive programs. It boasts an average acceptance rate of around 10% —11%, which is almost the same as that of an MBA program from Harvard Business School. 

The program tends to be a bit more populated by STEM background, with slightly more incoming domestic US students (around 75-80%) than its MBA program (approximately 60-65%). 

Since the competition is very high, a good GMAT score and a solid educational background are prerequisite for mingith extracurricular activities, LORs, and an absolute splendid essay to compel the Adcowhoacan nd make them understand why the University needs you. 

Harvard MS/MBA Biotechnology Class Profile

Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences program attracts people from various backgrounds interested in bringing about reforms in the healthcare system and aims to become a successful and impactful biotech executive to deliver practical, transformative models at organizational levels. 

Variety in class is the very essence of a top MBA program, and a Biotech program attracts people from consulting firms based on life sciences, therapeutic companies, research labs, medical device companies, and biotech companies. 

The diversity offered by the program promotes several chances to draw and learn from each other’s experiences and maintain a tight-knit community network. 

There you go! It was a bit lengthy, but I can assure you that the above paragraphs contain all you need to know about Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences program. Before filling out the application form, go at least once through the whole article so you can choose wisely according to your budget and comfort. Nevertheless, it’s needless to say that an MBA from Harvard University guarantees the fortune of a lifetime. 

How to Strengthen Your MBA Application as a Biotech Major

Writing an application for an MBA in Biotechnology can be daunting, especially for candidates unaware of the steps and slopes of the path. However, the significance of a “good application” can be very well realized as the application itself reflects your character & quality based on just a few hundred words presented to them.

Drafting an application for Harvard’s MS/MBA in biotechnology program is on a different level. To ace the process of drafting an MBA application, you need a lot of practice, clarity, and creativity.

The most important part of your biotech application is writing a statement of purpose (SOP). A good SOP is backed by your LORs for Biotechnology. Below are some important tips about how to draft an engaging SOP. 

• Ensure your SOP comprises all the relevant information required for the biotechnology course. 
• Since the SOP is a personal essay, you must take every opportunity to make it unique and specific to the biotechnology program. 
• Remember to be brief but comprehensive in your paragraphs. Furthermore, ensure the correctness of the article’s grammar and punctuation.  
• Don’t forget to mention your academic background, aspirations, technical skills, or professional experiences. 
• State all your greatest accomplishments, related skills, and interests in the program. Always remember that all these characteristics set you apart from other candidates beyond your test marks.
• Finally, proofread again and again and edit your essay to near perfection before final submission.

A well-written, engaging, and grammatically correct SOP will increase your chances of getting accepted into a renowned university; thus, make sure you take your time in writing the SOP instead of a last-minute rush. 

Career Opportunities After Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology Program

Upon graduating, the program would open new doors for graduates to understand and transform industries related to new drug discoveries and therapeutics and develop efficient strategies and novel ways to expand access to these at affordable prices. Some common career opportunities after graduation include: 

1. Work in lead science-based organizations, work on research culture and understand the organization, all behavior, oppo, unity-costs ratio, and rewards.
2. Work to determine the most cost-efficient strategy for science-based organizations and find new ways to expand access to transformative therapies.
3. Contribute to research, work and f novel ways to accelerate discoveries of therapeutics wibiotechnologyeconomic value and at the same time can work with different organizations to understand the financial underpinnings of investment decisions in the life sciences.

Harvard’s MS/MBA Biotechnology Recruiters 

As mentioned above, upon graduating there are so many different secto.sThe which students with an MBA in Biotechnology can get placedMBAsome of these industries are

1. Specialized Biotechnology Companies
2. Industrial Research and Development
3. Pharmaceutical firms
4. Healthcare
5. Medicine
6. Food manufacturing companies  

Also, below is a list of recruiters for biotechnology and pharmaceutical positions, the companies listed are among some of the top recruiters for MBA in biotechnology.

Sl. No.	Company Name	Website	Services
1.	Advanced Clinical	Clinical development organization that provides services such as CRO, functional support, quality & validation etc. for pharmaceutical biotechnology and medical device organizations	Clinical development organization that provides services such as CRO, functional support, quality & validation, etc. for pharmaceutical biotechnology and medical device organizations
2.	Allen-Jeffers Associates	http://www.allen-jeffersassoc.com/	Executive & technical search firm for pharma, medical device industries exclusively.
3.	BioPhase Solutions	http://www.biophaseinc.com/	Provider of both scientific & clinical research as well as administrative personnel to biotech and pharma companies in California.
4.	Compass Consulting Group	http://www.compasscgroup.com/life-science-bio-tech-recruiters/life-sciences-recruitment/	Placement of life science and bio-pharma professionals in research, development, and commercialization positions
5.	Cornerstone Search Group	http://www.cornerstonesg.com/	Executive search firm specialized in life sciences including clients from pharma, biotech, medical device, consumer healthcare, plus life science consulting companies.
6.	Critical Path, Inc.	http://www.criticalpathinc.net/	National search firm which provides recruitment services exclusively to pharma & biotech industries.
7.	Dunne and Associates	http://www.dunneandassociates.net/	Executive search firm for marketing and sales, sales management positions with biotech companies.
8.	Life Science Partner	http://lifesciencepartner.com/	National recruiting firm which provides executive search and consulting services to biotech, pharma companies, and healthcare organizations.
9.	Reaction Search International	http://www.reactionsearch.com/	Executive recruitment firm for biotech and pharma companies , including biostatistics and clinical data management, chemistry and clinical research etc.
10.	Kelly Services	http://www.kellyservices.com/Global/Science	Provides outsourcing and consulting services, and staffing on temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire basis.

Understanding every aspect of the program, scholarship, and admission process can be pretty hectic for a person new to this field in any case; if you need more in-depth information about any particular aspect of the application process, interviews, and course structure, feel free to hop on a 1:1 call with our team of experts.

We at MBAandBeyond follow a stepwise procedure to ensure maximum efficiency, quality, and interaction to make every minute worth it! We at MBA and beyond are determined to guide you through your entire application process, ensuring the best offers from top Business schools. Happy learning 🙂