BambooPanda

If anyone here is wondering about Caltech biology - they sent out interview offers late last week by email.

Is Harvard Immunology part of BBS? Or is it a separate program?

^ Trying to change my signature to reflect interview information but it won't let me...anyone else having this problem?

Both medical schools and institutes have great PIs. One cannot say that just because someone is at a medical school they are a lesser PI than someone at an institute. To do so would be illogical. What is more important than than what type of institution it is, is really what type of programs are in place to help students become good researchers. For example, several people on this thread seem to become wide-eyed and weak-kneed when they mouth the words Cold Spring Harbor. However, many universities have programs that are just as respected, if not more respected, depending on the field of interest. The reason research programs at universities might have an advantage over stand-alone programs is that they are part of an umbrella of researchers that collaborate. Having a medical school is a POWERFUL advantage. One reason why researchers gravitate toward physicians is that physicians drive research interests with their specific needs, and collaboration between what is found in labs and what happens in patient rooms is important. Many physicians themselves are also researchers, so large research enterprises have been built up at medical schools. Also, the faculty at these schools have programs in place for student development. For example, how do you compete in today's grant writing environment? What will it take for the oncologists in UCSF medical center to implement your research at the bedside? What can their knowledge contribute to your work? In short, what type of program is "better?" It's hard to say. Don't get caught up in false differences between the two. The bottom line is what is better is what is better for you personally based on what you think you need. You can get a great experience anywhere. But don't rule out universities because many of them are great places to be.

No problem ionexchanger. Which No problem IonExchanger! Which schools did you apply to?

Congratulations to everyone who has received interviews!

I know someone who went to Urbana-Champagne and it's a great school. Recommended.

Not me, but I'm just a panda and I eat bamboo.

I finished all of my applications!