aks42

Hi everyone, I've recently been informed that my top choice school has put me on their wait list. I already got an offer from another school where I could do well, so in the grand scheme of things I'm not too fussed because I can still go to grad school in the fall. Anyway, when I asked for more details about where I was ranked on the list, I was informed that "when a spot or two opens up, we will let the committee rank those on the list and then make offers" (verbatim from the email) Has anyone had any experience like this with being wait-listed, and is there a way to increase my chances of receiving an offer should a spot open up? Again, this is my top choice school, and I want a good assessment about how much of a shot I have before I decide to accept the other school's offer. Thanks in advance!

I just had my first interview weekend this past weekend. It was a lot more casual than I thought it would be; less formal interview and more conversational. I'm going to parrot some of what breaker746 said, though: make sure you can talk about your research, be able to answer the "why this field/why this school" questions, and ask your interviewers questions either about the program or their research. I understand being nervous, so just do whatever you do to relax and calm your nerves and you'll do fine!

You seem to be on the right track, but make sure you've thoroughly done your homework on your school(s). I suggest you identify at least 3 faculty members whose research aligns with your own interests, read some of their work, maybe contact them if you have something relevant to say about their work and ask if they're accepting graduate students in the upcoming term; if you successfully correspond with a prof mention in your SoP that you "have corresponded with Dr. X and they are open to being my advisor" or something along those lines. This late in the cycle you may not get a whole lot out of contacting professors, but at the very least mention that you're interested in these professors and their work and how their research interests you. Most schools will post their curriculum on their program website, so browse through the courses they offer and make mention of any classes that excite you and you can see yourself taking. Is your program interdisciplinary? Is it straight one discipline? If it's one of those - and it's the one you prefer out of those two options - then talk about the benefits of being in an interdisciplinary or straight-field program as it pertains to you. Basically, make sure you can demonstrate how you and the school are a good fit for each other.

Sure. PM me.

I'll look at yours if you'll look at mine (PhD for Microbiology and Immunology). PM yours to me when you can and I can send you mine later tonight once I'm done at work.

You may find these links helpful. They definitely gave me things to think about and guided my writing. Also, go to the Statement of Purpose forum on this site, read some of the statements others have posted, and pay attention to critiques so you're given more examples of what to do and what not to do. One thing I'll tell you off the bat though: discuss your research. Past experiences, current interests, how they fit with the school(s) you want to attend. http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm https://mcnair.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/169/2014/08/StatementofPurposeApril2011-2_000.pdf https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/969/01/ http://www.nextscientist.com/statement-of-purpose-for-graduate-school/ http://www.fasttrackadmission.com/how-to-write-your-statement-of-purpose/

I'm game. I'll PM you mine after I get home from work tonight (micro/immuno PhD programs), and you can send me yours at your earliest convenience.

The second paragraph (starts with "I am interested in attending the MS-CFRM program ...." and the fifth paragraph (starts with "I am thrilled at the prospect of ....") can very easily be combined and probably should be. During my first read-through I found myself thinking "Well what do they find so comprehensive and challenging about the program? They ought to elaborate" in the second paragraph and found said elaborations in the fifth paragraph. Also, it might help to name-drop the classes and professors where you'll learn numerical optimization methods, systematic trading strategies, etc. It shows you've done your homework on the program. Your education and work experience do look good on paper, but those are things that adcomm can learn about you by looking at your resume/CV. What are skills and talents you take pride in? Was there one time you solved a difficult problem or were just all-around awesome? Talk about it. Show in addition to telling. Discuss what you learned about yourself and your career goals, specifically what inspired you to want to go back to school after getting your MBA. Is there not a separate area of your application where you can petition for a GRE waiver? Unless you were instructed to include it, it just feels out of place in your SoP. I think you're off to a good start; you just need to shuffle some things around and beef up your education/work experience section.

Hi everyone, I'm starting to put together my SoP for this coming admissions cycle. I'm primarily applying for Microbiology&Immunology programs; however, I also have a couple of umbrella programs I'm applying to, where I've identified Micro/Immuno faculty whose research intrigues me. For the umbrella programs, should I specify in my SoP that I'm mostly interested in Micro/Immuno or keep it more general about the biomedical sciences? ("How I got interested in microbiology" vs "How I got interested in biomedical science") I'm applying for a mix of Master's and PhD programs, if that influences anything. Thanks for the help!

Undergrad Institution: small private liberal arts college Major(s): Cell and Molecular Biology Minor(s): GPA in Major: n/a (I'll have to go back and calcualte it) Overall GPA: 3.72 Position in Class: n/a (as in I don't know) Type of Student: domestic, white, female GRE Scores (revised version): Q: 157 (74th percentile) V: 156 (64th percentile) W: 5 (93rd percentile) Research Experience: Currently I have worked in a cell biology lab for one year, will be a year and half when the PI moves in December (can't go with him for personal and financial reasons) Undergrad summer research program Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Frank G. Brooks scholarship (a professor from my school who founded Tri-Beta back in 1922) Dean's and President's Honor rolls consistently through undergrad Graduated cum honore Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Like stated above, currently working in a research lab Applying to Where: I'm interested in Microbiology and Immunology, and am going to apply to a mix of MS and PhD programs. These are probably my final six, and I'm still deciding whether I want to apply for the MS, PhD, or both (if able) at each school - SUNY Buffalo - University of Rochester - Albany Medical College - University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Drexel University - Temple University