The best part of the Life Sciences MSc program is that you can learn everything on the fly! Literally. Before enrolling in Skoltech, I had had some experience in the "wet" lab but none in bioinformatics. However, at Skoltech, I had the privilege to choose subjects to study (from basic to advanced level), mastered new methods in a "wet" lab, and plunged into bioinformatics data analysis. The Life Sciences program offers a wide range of electives, a flexible schedule, lectures from world-class professors, excellent labs, cutting-edge research, various club activities, leadership & entrepreneurship. Frankly speaking, the degree is not as important for me as the value of my work for society. I believe that everything I have learned has a practical application.

For me Skoltech Life Sciences Master program was a breakthrough to a real science. My background was in Biophysics, I didn't have an on-hand experience in molecular biology or biotechnology and the first months at the program were a deep dive into the area. I loved that at Skoltech you are not only given with an opportunity to study, but challenged with practical courses, individual projects, presentations. We learned to read the topnotch articles, understand the research methodology, find some disadvantages (if any) without the fear that we are the ones who didn't understood something. Skoltech conferences, seminars and lectures of the top specialists, academic mobility program – all that provides students with a chance to become a part of the scientific community. And the most telling fact revealing my gratitude and respect for Skoltech is that two years after graduation I came back for my PhD.