bamafan

I think you're right about the technological paradigm shift; it has bred a sense of entitlement, which is exactly what that email reeks of. I mean, it's clearly your fault here, after all, that student "gave u a verbal warning!!"

Perhaps if he/she had spelled properly, that email wouldn't have been quite so egregious.

I actually posted a similar question just the other day, only I had gotten a 45% on organismal biology and had the exact same thoughts as you. For programs that require/recommend the subject, failure to send one is basically an incomplete app. For the others, I'd consider sending it anyway depending on what you're applying for. Most MCB programs will look favorably on that section and probably put little or no weight on the others. What is your overall score? At most top programs, the average score is 720-750 so use that as your litmus test.

What's the word limit? 500? It reads very short and there are some flow and wording issues. More when I am not on my phone.

Well, I was speaking to my field, and you did neglect to quote the part I wrote about not all applicants being equal. But hey, you're faculty, I'll defer to your knowledge here.

Other prestigious ones include Sloan-Kettering and Scripps. There is no disadvantage to having a PhD at any of these.

Also, I'll add that there is too much narration. I did not get anywhere nearly as in depth as you did when discussing my research, not even close. You're using this opportunity to briefly describe your research and how it has given you the experience to be a qualified researcher, not to summarize your abstracts. I guess, I would put it this way. Stop saying WHAT you did and instead focus on WHY it matters. As in... What did you get out of the research experiences? How does it make you more qualified? How has it shaped your goals and scientific philosophy? And then tie THAT to the target schools and use that to explain why the school is a good fit for you and vice versa. In my brief skimming, you did not address your target schools at all. You absolutely MUST indicate that you looked into their programs and think you'll be a good fit (and justify why). In a nutshell: Research interests and career objectives; then, experiences and the importance of them; tie it to the target school.

Sounding erudite does not mean you have to be convoluted. Being concise is best whenever possible; this isn't your magnum opus in fiction prose for the Pulitzer, after all. "Brevity is the soul of wit."

That sounds like a horrible, horrible idea. If one is unwilling or able to write their own SOP, then they are neither ready nor deserving to be in graduate school. Also, practically speaking, it will probably not be a very good or successful SOP, since it will lack the personal touch and likely sound more like a recommendation based on a CV than a statement of purpose.

Why do you consider Harvard to be a longshot? Are you just assuming because it's Harvard, it necessarily must be selective? Harvard isn't the end all be all, and depending on the graduate field, is often far from the most cutting-edge or prestigious. Out of curiosity, since you are an international student, is that the perception most foreign applicants have on American schools? Don't get me wrong, Harvard is an elite and great school, but it seems people have a fixation on HYP. I'm biased of course, having gone to UG down the street from them so we're fierce rivals, but the name is really just a name; individual PhD programs hold varying levels of impact factor and prestige. Of the schools you listed, I'd think CMU, Berkeley, and JHU are harder to get accepted into (I can't speak of course to pure statistics, but regarding biostatistics). Also, it's a hotly debated topic, but I actually think it's easier to get in as an international applicant. Probabilistically speaking, you have a better chance as you face a proportionally higher opening to applicant ratio. The fallacy here assumes all applicants are equal, and it stands to reason international applicants are on average of higher caliber than domestic ones, but the numbers do favor you.

I finished with a 3.3 and several Cs (two C-, though I'm not sure if my external transcript shows minuses and pluses). I already have two interviews in this application cycle. I'm not doing biostatistics, but it's closely related to informatics, which I am doing. My horrible (relatively speaking) GPA has not proven to be a death knell, fortunately, though I too was very concerned about it. I wouldn't even bother addressing it in any SOP or anything. It's not a big deal at all. What you do need is an outstanding SOP in which you detail your research experience and potential, and strong letters of recommendation. As for where you should apply, that's up to you to decide. I don't think your GPA should be a factor or consideration in where you choose to apply. Look up programs, their published info, and PIs with whom you'd like to work. edit: You also mention the C is not even related to stats. Much ado about nothing, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Possible, perhaps. Anything is possible. For schools that require/recommend it though, I'd say probably to very probably not. I think for most programs, the average admitted percentile for the subject exam is around 80%. I can't speak to math specifically, but the vast majority of programs in biology do NOT require the subject. In fact, of my peers, I am the only one who even took it. You'll have to look up programs that you want and see if they require it.

I would if your scores are good to stellar. Don't be offended when I say this, but your scores are pretty average, so I'm not sure they'd help you in a program where it's not required. Plus, you're fattening the ETS money machine.

Sorry to hear about the application, where else are you applying? Don't waste any more emotion on something that's in the past and put it towards making sure you get your other apps in and that they kick total ass. Also, I'm not sure the CA resident thing matters as much (at all?) for graduate school, compared to UG, where a ridiculous >90% admits are CA.

I can't speak to specific programs, but most schools will do multiple rounds of interview invites as some people will decline due to conflicts or interest. I have heard that early submission *can* be (not necessarily is, but can be) helpful as many schools starting reviewing applications ahead of the deadline. I got my Michigan invite before the grad committee had finished their first meeting (so says the professor who called) and I submitted my app about a month early. I also know of cases where superstars get full acceptances before the deadlines even are reached.

If anything, I think the contrary is true. One's digital footprint can often be a problem if something compromising is posted on it. There is no harm in not having any of these types of accounts. In fact, during the application process, I tend to delete/disable all of mine just in case. The same holds true for job applications.

It happens more frequently than you might think and it's nothing to be ashamed of. Though not ideal, it's not the end of the world, and you can improve your application for the following year. I struck out last year, before I knew what I was doing, but this year, I already have two interviews and it's not even app deadline for many of the programs. Just stick to it, do the best you can, and wait it out. Remember, once the app is submitted, it's out of your hands and into theirs. It's not something you can control anyway, so why worry about it? Don't stress about something that hasn't happened; worry about later, later.

Very cool, those are the two I got so far as well. The Michigan dates are 1/24-26 and 1/31-2/2.

Did you mean to write "recommended" instead of optional? I think the vast majority of applicants do not take a subject test, and the majority of programs don't request it either. For schools that "recommend" it, however, I've heard that's basically a euphemism for required and very few get in without it.

Are you sure that's why the require the GRE? If I recall correctly, there wasn't any calculus on mine when I took it, and if that's what schools are concerned about, they can just check your transcript to see if you took calculus as an undergrad. I still think you should check with your target schools just to be sure. This is one of those scenarios where you'd rather be safe than sorry, because if it does turn out to be an issue, you're not just wasting money here, you're wasting time.

icah88, unless you spoke specifically to the grad ad com, you can't know for sure how they will look upon it. Did you ask specifically how they view a 0 or NS? Many schools will say in response to "is the AW important?" or "is it okay if i get a low score on the AW" with, "no, it doesn't matter that much for our admissions." But that question is very different than "What do you guys think if I get a 0 or a NS?". I know that many adcom members at schools like MIT obviously do not care much about V/AW but if you have a glaringly low score, it could cause your app to be thrown out. In fact, your score might not even pass an automated screen. It's not what you want to hear, but you really should have just done the essays. It's a silly mistake to make. If you can, I'd recommend retaking it.

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I don't know if this is true, but I've heard interviews are almost more of a formality than anything else. Acceptance rates post-interview range often from 50% to 75% and up. It's for them to assess if you are a fit for the school, but I think more for YOU to see if you like them. Remember, applications go both directions; you're selling yourself, but come interview time, they're trying to sell them to you so you'll choose them over your other interview choices. I think except for highly competitive programs (like one I'm applying to that interviews ~15, accepts ~7), you stand a good chance either way so you should pick the school you actually prefer rather than the one you think you have a better shot at (especially since that will just be a complete guess on your part; you don't know what your shots are at either). Remember, interviews are a decent investment on the school's part, flying you in, treating you to housing, food, events, etc. They wouldn't do it if they weren't very serious.

Okay, contrary to what everyone is saying, call the schools. All of them. While MOST are lenient as people said above, I know some are NOT lenient at all. Check with the program just to be sure.

Yeah, you definitely waited really late to *ask* for a recommendation. It takes them time to think about and write it, and then even longer to get to submitting them. Ideally, you should have given your rec writers at least a month or two's notice. I also second the post above. If you haven't heard from her in four years, I'm not sure how good of a letter she can write. Or if she will even write one... I know if I were a professor and a past intern from so long ago emailed me on such short notice, I'd put it dead last on things to think about.