Harvard has over fifty different concentrations (our lingo for "majors"), which is a lot. How do you figure out what to concentrate in, and most importantly, which one is the best?
Well, I have the answer for you: Molecular and Cellular Biology!
MCB, the best department.
What's so special about MCB? I could write a list that goes on for a very long time, but for this blog post, I'll keep it short. In general, to concentrate in MCB, you need to take 12-13 courses, most of which are in the life-sciences field. If you're also interested in applying to medical school in the future, many of the MCB requirements overlap with pre-med requirements, making it a good choice for a concentration. More importantly, if you're someone who loves to study cells and the molecules that make up those cells—and in different biological contexts—then MCB is the right concentration for you! Research is also important in MCB, and there's plenty of MCB faculty who love to host undergrads in their labs!
Speaking of labs, there are many places on campus where you can find MCB research going on. One place is the Northwest Building, where, if you're an MCB concentrator, you'll be spending a lot of your time.
Northwest Building.
Northwest is home to many MCB classrooms, labs, and a delicious café. Harvard SEAS
Northwest is home to many MCB classrooms, labs, and a delicious café. Harvard SEAS
This beautiful building has an actual massive fossil on display, so if you're ever around campus, I'd encourage you to check it out. Though the walk to Northwest is a bit farther than to other campus buildings, the café is what makes it absolutely worth it. The café has so many snacks like candy, granola bars, chips, ice cream, soda, and on top of that, serves freshly prepared lunch meals! My personal favorite is the classic chicken tenders and fries. The best thing about it is that you can use your Boardplus to buy food here (what's Boardplus? Read Olga's blog here).
However, the best way to get food as an MCB concentrator is at study breaks! Every week, our program coordinators order a bunch of food and let us take a "study break" by enjoying the food and catching up with other MCB concentrators.
Our MCB study breaks are held in the courtyard of the MCB-CPB office, or inside when the weather is too cold. At the end of last semester, during finals week, the MCB team held a holiday party for concentrators, and it was a great time. I would say this is the best part of being an MCB concentrator!
Study break food.
Some of the snacks we've gotten at these past few study breaks! Irina Cashen
Some of the snacks we've gotten at the past few study breaks! Irina Cashen
Last, but certainly not least, we're one of the few concentrations that has its own space! The infamous MCB-CPB office is a space where we MCB concentrators can stop by to say hi to our advisors, grab a cup of coffee/tea, or relax in any of the study rooms upstairs. If you're lucky, you can catch Dominic and his dog around the office. The office also has a thesis room that has a printed record of every MCB thesis that students have written!
The MCB-CPB concentration office.
But, most importantly, what makes MCB special is the people. Whether we're helping a friend on that MCB 60 p-set, needing last-minute class recs, or sending each other research opportunities, our community and people is what makes MCB the best concentration at Harvard.
MCB friends!
My favorite MCB concentrators.
