jean21

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts school Major(s): Biology Minor(s): GPA in Major: Overall GPA: 3.44 Position in Class: Type of Student: domestic, female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 159/750/77% V: 157/560/73% W: 4.0 B: not taking Research Experience: 2 years undergrad research in biochem, summer internship at pharm. company (immunology), 1.5 years working in genomics lab at Ivy League Awards/Honors/Recognitions: National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), received grant to further my research in undergrad, academic honors, dean’s list, science division award at undergrad Pertinent Activites or Jobs: Genetics tutor in undergrad, currently work in sequencing core - specialist in running NextGen sequencing instruments Special Bonus Points: Applying to Where: -University of Pennsylvania -University of Washington -Mount Sinai -NYU -Boston University Probably 1 or 2 more…

Thanks for the comments. I agree that good LoRs and SoP are probably more important than your GRE score. I think that's why I'm having so much trouble focusing. I currently don't have any publications and I think that was my biggest downfall in my applications last year. For now, I think I'm going to work on my research and tailoring my SoP for each school I apply to. Hopefully that will be enough.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now. I took the GRE last year and was pretty happy with my score (157V, 159Q, 4.0AW). I thought that would be good enough to get me into a decent school. Apparently I was wrong. I'm now trying to study for the GRE again, and finding it very difficult to get motivated, especially after taking a diagnostic verbal test and doing awful. I'm about to give up on the retest and instead work on improving other aspects of my application (such as my personal statement). This is stupid, right? I should suck it up and really buckle down on studying if I want to get into my dream school. However, the feeling of not doing much better this time (or worse, getting a lower score....) is making it REALLY hard. What are you guys doing to stay motivated for a retest? How do you know when a retest is necessary, or if spending your time on other aspects of the application is smarter? I would hate to spend two months studying and only improve my score by a couple of points. I guess I should mention what my dream program's average GRE score is..... 162V, 160Q. I'm hoping that the fact that I work in a lab at this school, and will have recommendations from professor's in this program, will outweigh my below average GRE score. Sorry for the probably unanswerable questions, I'm just feeling really frustrated right now. Any advice/motivation would be greatly appreciated!

Hi guys, I’m retaking the GRE this summer and really want to improve my verbal score. I have about an hour commute to work each day, which would be a great time to go over some flashcards and definitions, only problem, I get car sick. Does anyone know of any good audio wordlists for the GRE that I could download for my iPod or Android? Thanks!

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone had any insight on how important the rank/reputation of the program you attend is when looking for a job after graduating (specifically in academia). It's looking like I'm only going to have 1-2 acceptances, both from so-so schools. I did like the one school I interviewed at quite a bit (still waiting to hear the final decision). There were some projects I was interested in and it's in my preferred city, but it's not ranked that highly and I know getting a job in academia is very competitive. I am currently working at a university as a research technician, and after talking with a professor here, it seems like program rank is very important. He suggested that if I don't get into a top program I should reapply next year, hopefully after a publication or two. As of now, I'm leaning towards going to this school I liked (if I am accepted), but I can't stop thinking about what this professor said and how my decision will affect my future. He made it sound like it will be nearly impossible for me to get a job in academia if I don't go to one of the best schools. Does this seem reasonable, or do you think he is exaggerating? For those of you who had acceptances before and choose to reapply, what factors did you consider? Thanks so much!

Yea, I'm assuming the same and yes, I emailed them and received a "we interview from late Jan to the beginning of March" reply... so frustrating

Anyone still waiting to hear from WashU (Devel, Regen, and Stem Cell Bio) or UPenn (CAMB)? Just curious if anyone knows if all the interview invites have been sent out already.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I sent each of them an email and thanked them for their time and answering my questions. A few of them have already responding saying something along the lines of “it was a pleasure meeting you and good luck”. Caffine – I found out who I was interviewing with the day before. I didn’t have time to read their pubs, just overall research interests.

I just had a campus visit last week and met with 6 faculty members for 30 min interviews. Is it customary to send thank you emails to each of them?

Thanks for your advice, I was thinking something similar!

So I emailed one of the schools I applied to for a status update. They responded by inviting me to a two-day campus visit with travel reimbursement. The email never mentioned an interview, just a chance to learn more about the program and meet faculty. I don’t even have to arrive to the campus until 3 pm on Thursday. Does anyone have any advice on what to expect at a “campus visit”? Do I prepare for an interview? Do I wear a suit on Thursday or just something casual? Any help would be much appreciated!

Applying to biomedical science programs (genetics). GPA: 3.44 GRE: 157V, 159Q, 4.0AW 2 years undergrad research w/ senior thesis 1 summer internship currently working at Ivy as sequencing technician Applied to : WUSTL UPenn Weill Cornell Dartmouth Vanderbilt Temple Thomas Jefferson

Agree on not wanting to tell your recommenders you didn’t get in anywhere. Also not thrilled with the idea of potentially having to ask them to write another recommendation…

"How could they not accept you?" Obviously from a mom...

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I’m going to give him a call today. It’s just so weird because this is so unlike him...

Hi everyone, I need some advice on a situation I have found myself in. I have submitted all my applications and am just waiting for my recommenders to submit their letters. 2 out of the 3 have submitted, but the third has not, and is not answering any of my emails. This is really strange because when I first asked him if he would write my recommendation he said he would be “delighted” and asked if there was anything else he could do to help with the application process. I then asked him to read over one of my essays. Again he said he would be happy to. I sent him a copy of my essay over a month ago and never got a response. I just figured he was really busy with class right now so I wouldn’t bug him about it. Seeing as he hasn’t even started any of my recommendations, I emailed him last week and asked if he has been getting the requests and if not, to let me know. Nothing. I should mention I resent one of the recommendation request forms 3 times throughout the past month as a reminder (both other recommenders responded after the second time I sent it). So then yesterday I sent him another email saying the deadline for all my application materials is Dec. 1. I still haven’t heard anything. He was my thesis advisor so his recommendation is very important, I don’t think I could get someone to write one in his place. Does anyone have an idea where I should go from here? Thank you!

Hi everyone. I have the typical “where should I apply question”. I am looking at PhD programs in molecular genetics and regenerative biology. I have a 3.44 GPA from a small private university and a GRE score of V: 157, Q: 159, AW: 4.0 (this correlates to a 1310 on the old GRE format). I have 2 years of undergraduate research experience, including writing a senior thesis and receiving a research grant. I now work at UPenn in a sequencing facility. Does anyone have an idea on what schools I would be a good match for? I know my GRE and GPA are a bit low for the top universities, but will my experience and good letters of recommendation make up for this? I am really hoping to get accepted to UPenn’s Cell and Molecular Biology Program. Does this seem farfetched? Thank you!