programs at institutes/med school campuses

[amethyst23]

Do graduate programs at specialized institutes like the Buck Institute and medical campuses in general have very small class sizes? I just found out the graduate program I'm applying to at U Washington Seattle's School of Medicine accepts only 6 to 10 people, and their applicant pool is over 120. Cedars Sinai has an incoming class of only 8 people this year..  pretty alarmed

Edited August 8, 2014 by amethyst23

[Taeyers]

I'm not sure that it's necessarily a feature of specialized institutions. I'm going to start my program at a very large state school (admittedly with a pretty respectable medical school) in a cohort of 4, and we're the largest incoming class the program has had in 6 years. Most years they accept only 2 or 3 students. All current grad students in my department add up to 14 people (18 after the four of us officially start in a month). Bottom line is that I think it's very much a department thing. The head of my department makes no secret of the fact that he wants to be very selective with students and new faculty, so that's what happens, regardless of the school's size.

[Vene]

I think sizes like that are pretty common. Granted, they tend to accept more than just the 5-10 students as a good number will get multiple offers, so it's not as hopeless as it seems at a glance.

[biotechie]

For the most part, you're only going to see larger programs if you're applying under umbrella programs. Funding is tight, so some programs are taking even less than normal. Just make sure you apply to several programs and give it your best shot.

[peachypie]

6-10 or even 8 in a specialized science field is actually a pretty good sized class.  I'll be one of 5 in my incoming class, as biotechie mentioned it is going to be specific to the department and the amount of funding coming in.  thus depending on who gets funded and can support students a class size may flux from 4-10 from year to year.  From my experience of interviews etc it seemed that most schools would offer 1.5-2X the class they want assuming they get at least 1/2 of those offers, they typically interview 2-3x the number they will offer to.  So I'd guess a class of 8 would send out 12-16 offers and interview maybe 20-24?  Also I learned that sometimes if a school offered 12 and all 12 accepted than sometimes they try to even out the next class size so instead of offering to 12 they'll offer to 6.  It swings year to year and there is no way to predict unless you can speak directly to someone involved in admissions which I dont think as an applicant you'd need to know that info unless you are curious during in person interviews and can ask the students taking you around.  I'd apply to at least a handful of schools that have your research interests.  Many of those "offers" are to people who get multiple offers, for example i was offered admission at all my interview schools and obviously could only accept one.  Best of luck!