What kind of research projects will I be able to get involved in?

This varies widely, from lab work to field work and from topics ranging from the crustal evolution to the habitability of early Earth. The projects will be tailored to the interests and strengths of the student.

Will you be taking new graduate students this year?

Yes, I typically take one new student each year.

Will you be taking any new undergraduate students next year?

Yes. We always have opportunities for undergraduates to get involved in research, so please do reach out!

Who can I contact in the group for more information?

You can email me at ndrabon@fas.harvard.edu or reach out to my current group member Emily Stoll at estoll@fas.harvard.edu with questions.

What financial support can I expect?

Once enrolled, all graduate students are provided generous financial support, including full tuition, a research allowance, and a stipend through research and teaching assistantships. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for outside funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation prior to gaining admission, but an external fellowship is not required.

Where do I go to apply?

If you are interested in applying to the EPS graduate program, please visit this page: https://eps.harvard.edu/pages/admissions

When is the application deadline? When will I hear about admission?

Please visit the EPS Admissions page for details about the application deadline: https://eps.harvard.edu/pages/admissions

Who can I contact about applying to the graduate program?

For questions about the graduate program, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Aimee Smith, aimee_smith@fas.harvard.edu

Do I need to take the GREs?

GRE scores are accepted as part of the application but are not required. I would prefer you spend the time you would have used for studying for the GRE doing research or teaching.

Can I apply for a Masters instead of a Ph.D.?

EPS admits students for the PhD only; we do not admit students for the Master of Arts (AM) degree.

Is there a qualifying exam on the road to the Ph.D.? When can I expect to graduate?

All candidates for the PhD degree are expected to take the oral examination by the end of their fourth semester in the program. The purpose of the oral examination is to determine a student’s depth and breadth of scholarship in a chosen area of specialization. The exam will assess the student’s originality, capacity for synthesis and critical examination, intensity of intellectual curiosity, and clarity of communication.

Students typically graduate in 5 to 6 years.

Are there opportunities or requirements to teach?

All EPS PhD students are required to serve as teaching fellows for at least two sections during their time at Harvard. The two sections should be for two different courses or for the same course in two different years. This requirement ensures that all students have at least some exposure to classroom or laboratory interactions with undergraduates, as teaching will likely be an important aspect of any future career.