Rejected PhD IBMG, IUPUI now pursuing MS immuno (Fall 2015) there in hope to get Phd there after completion of MS.

[sharma31kk]

Today, 10:37 AM

Hello everyone,

 

I applied into PhD at IBMG- Indianapolis and got rejected. My husband would be joining a private hospital there as a doctor so I dont want to move out of Indianapolis.I also applied into MS micro-Immuno, MS Biochem, MS Bio at IUPUI and got accepted into all 3 of them. I have undergrad in Biotech with 3.9 GPA and MS Biotech from England with 2 years of research exp but no research papers.I am accepting MS micro-Immuno(research based program) offer there only with intention of doing PhD IBMG after after MS.I hope that if I perfom well in MS I wud get preference as Indiana grad student for PhD.

 

1)Do u think it is the right decision that I am making?

 

2)My GRE acore is Q-152 V-152, AWA 3.5.Do i need to rewrite GRE for PhD IBMG being Indiana student? Can IBMG make exceptions fr GRE score if my MS Prof supports my application.?

 

Kindly guide. I would be very thankful.

 

[Vene]

You're going to want to increase your GRE, I do think a MS helps your application (if you do well), but I imagine that the MS did not have a GRE cutoff and the PhD did (probably unofficial). When you're known to the professors involved in the admissions process you'll have a better chance of being looked at, but I still think it would be wise to retake the GRE.

 

You should look at the handbook for your program to see if it mentions anything about changing your status from a MS to a PhD student. You can also talk to professors there about it, as it is a perfectly reasonable goal, as well as the program's admin assistant(s).

[ballwera]

In all honesty, unless that MS is paid for you are wasting your time imo. You'd likely be better of taking a position as a tech at IUPUI and improving your GRE. 

[Crucial BBQ]

Personally, I do not see the value in doing a second MS in a related field as a pre-rec for a Ph.D. program.  This is only my opinion but I think it would be better use of your time (and money) to simply retake the GRE (while continuing to work in the field, of course). 

[WhitH]

I second (or third) the suggestions already made. You've been rejected based on the weaknesses in your application as it stands today, if you want to do a PhD eventually then you need to address that. A second masters degree won't say to the admissions committee, "hey, remember me? I get why I was a weak candidate last time, so look at what I've done since you last saw me to fix that!" Which is the only way that you will be a stand out to them the next time they look at your application. I'm of the firm opinion that getting a masters in between undergrad and grad school is only helpful for those who have low GPAs, which is not your problem. I'm not sure why you have an aversion to taking a couple of years off before heading to grad school. Many people do it and they are stronger candidates for it, not just in the eyes of admissions but in the success they have as PhD students. I think you need to take those two years off and take a tech job somewhere more than you know. You might come to realize that you weren't ready for grad school the first time you applied, and your rejection was actually a blessing in disguise. So my advice is to take two years off and use that time to do the following:

1) Retake the GRE- Even if you only do marginally better than before, it will at least look like you tried to improve. And honestly, GREs are probably the least important part of your application.

2) Get a job as a technician- Experience gained as a student rarely counts for much because you're doing it part time. Do it full time in a lab you think will give you skills that might help strengthen your application. If you don't have a paper then research experience is all the more important.

3) Try to read as much as possible and really zero in on your particular research interests. Based on the range of programs you've applied to, it seems like you're still unsure of what you want to study. That's ok, but you need to narrow it down somewhat.

3) Rewrite your personal statement and pass it around to as many people as possible. Reach out to old science profs if you can, PIs, grad students you know, etc. Include areas of scientific interest.

4) Try to get better letters of recommendation if you can and if you think yours may be lacking.

Good luck!!

[sharma31kk]

Thankyou so much for your suggestions