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chanchan

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  • Application Season
    2015 Fall

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  1. Thank you, bsharpe269. That's a very good point that I overlooked. I was an intern in a brain cancer lab for a year at a translational research institute. My project consisted of validating previously done microarray data on tumor samples treated with various chemotherapies using PCR (very basic, I know). Then I have a summer doing H&E staining and cell-ct imaging to determine how the nucleus of a cell progresses from neoplasia to displasia. I am currently working in a bioinformatics dry lab doing analysis on GWAS studies for various cancers, so not much biochem to be had here. I know that my work at the translational institute aligns with the biomedical programs I am interested in, but I am afraid my project there wasn't impressive enough to make up for my coursework. Actually, not taking biochem/o chem cleared the way for me to take more bioinformatics courses in undergrad but I have since decided I am not interested in applying to computational/informatics programs.
  2. Hi all, Really new here and craving insight, especially from those already in bioscience programs. I would really like to be accepted to biomedical programs. I have a 4.0 GPA (partly due to my Spanish minor and the fact that A+ are worth 4.33 at my university). My major GPA for bio (not including related subjects like chem) is 3.96. I received my degree in Genetics from a big state university (not really well ranked in science) so I'm not sure how much weight my GPA holds. I got A- to A+ in courses like molecular bio, genetics, applied genetics, cell bio, developmental bio, functional genomics. I did really well with A+ in general chemistry both semesters. However, I only took 1 semester of o chem (got a B in lecture, A in lab) and dropped the 2nd semester and never re-took so there is a W on my transcript. I also only took 1 semester of physics (B+), dropped the lab (another W) but retook with an A+. Biochemistry was not mentioned on my major map at all so I never bothered taking it (totally would have if I had known what a big deal coursework is to PhD programs, or if I had taken applying for PhD programs seriously sooner ). A lot of programs say they require a full year of organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. I'm really worried that NOT having this will really hurt my chances of getting into anywhere. I'm applying to west coast schools: UCSD, UCLA, Scripps... I've emailed the coordinators asking if this would hurt my chances and they've all just said those courses are simply "recommended" and my app will still be considered. Didn't tell me much about my chances. So in short, what do you all think? Has anyone been admitted with less than rigorous undergraduate coursework? Also, should I explain this in my SOP or not mention it thereby not drawing more attention to it?
  3. Thanks for the reply, Monochrome Spring! I have checked the prerequisites for my schools and only one lists specifically a full year of organic chemistry. I am worried more so now about biochemistry as they all say it should be apart of completed coursework. I plan on calling the coordinators of the programs because I have lab experience with biochemistry and most of my upper division classes touched on biochemistry (cell biology, animal phys, molecular basis of diabetes, etc.). But I did not ever take the specific general biochemistry course my university offered. I am hoping the biochem subject test will be enough to prove I am competent in biochem without having taken the course.
  4. Hi all, Totally new to the forum... and to grad school apps. I was originally nonchalant about applying to schools out of sheer fear of facing the daunting task. Now I'm scrambling to start but have nagging questions. Any help would be appreciated. I always assumed I would go to grad school but never gave much thought to what specific field within biosciences (dumb, I know. I still have yet to take the GRE). I graduated this year with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell & Developmental biology and I currently work in a bioinformatics dry lab. I have done some research on schools now and have decided I would like to pursue biomedical sciences/molecular pharmacology rather than bioinformatics. I have researched in a translational wet lab for a year as well and much prefer it to what I do now. I am worried that my undergraduate training is not sufficient for what I am now interested in studying. I completed one semester of O. Chem with a B in the lecture and A in the lab (A+ in both semesters of gen chem). I absolutely hated O Chem and was taking 19 credits during the second semester. My major advisor told me I didn't need two semesters of O Chem for my degree and so I dropped it. I was also not required to take Biochemistry, so I did not. My question is: Am I not prepared/qualified for a biomedical PhD program due to my lack of O Chem and Biochemistry? Should I explain the W on my transcript? This also actually happened with physics. Was overloaded and my advisor said I only needed one semester to graduate so I dropped second semester of general physics. Sorry for the long post. I hope if there are others in this situation they can benefit from any responses, too!
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