ion_exchanger

I definitely would have stuck to my guns about the schools that I wanted to apply to. I applied to some schools that I was rejected from that I really had no business applying to in the first place. I'm not just saying that because I was rejected. I was rejected because they weren't the best fit for me. I wish I would have been more confident in the choices I already made, instead of listening to the peanut gallery. If I could go back, I would apply to different schools, and even some of the ones I was rejected from. In the end, I was still accepted to my dream school, but there were a couple of schools I left off my list that might have been equally as dreamy.

Is anyone else having problems committing? I feel like no matter what I choose, I will wish I had chosen the other. I had a first choice before I even finished my applications, but my interviews made me look at another school in a completely different light. Not sure if I should stick with my first choice. On paper, one school looks the best, but the other feels the best.

This looks very similar to my own spreadsheet/chart. Mine also includes TA requirement, publishing paper requirement, availability of summer rotation, and average graduation rate. It really has helped me just get a quick visual reference of how my schools look side by side. It has helped me make a more informed decision.

Try not to focus too much on the publications. While they are great, not everyone has them when applying to graduate school. Personally I do not have any publications as of yet, however I have been accepted.

You're welcome. I have been back and forth between UPenn and Georgetown/NIH for a while. I believe I know which one I will attend, just letting the decision settle in, and I plan to commit this week. NIH is a fabulous place to work. I've been a postbac there for the past two years, and I absolutely love it. There are so many intelligent people there, and at first it can be a bit intimidating, but everyone is so pleasant that any nervousness just goes away. Plus there's always a talk, seminar, or activity taking place that is interesting. Good luck with your decision!

Congratulations! Seems like today is your lucky day! Keep the acceptances coming people!

Congratulations! That is some list you have there, how are you ever going to choose?! Congratulations! Must be a relief to make a decision and know where you are going! Keeping my fingers crossed for you! I also have not heard from the school I interviewed with on the 7th, which is not a big deal because I likely won't attend. The decision is coming soon, and it's going to be a great one!

Hi structuralbio, I unfortunately do not have all the answers for you, but I can tell you what I know since I have just finished applying to schools for structural biology/biochem/biophysics. My undergraduate overall GPA and major GPA are both a 3.5. As you can see from my signature, that was high enough for me to be accepted to an Ivy League School. From what I have seen, GPA's around 3.5 and above are successful, however a GPA below absolutely does not rule you out. I have heard that more focus is put towards the upward trend of your grades throughout the years, as well as your GPA from your last 2 years. I would define core classes as classes that are required for your specific major in the sciences. At my University, chemistry classes counted as core classes towards our biology major, because they were requireed. We were also required to take calculus, but that's not considered a core class. Our core classes were strictly science classes. Lab classes did count, and lab classes are not free A's at my University, especially the physics lab! I would say as a general rule of thumb, try to aim for at least a 3.5. If you have lower, then compensate with good GRE scores and research experience. I believe that research experience is the most important component of an application for graduate school. My GRE scores were not enough to get me into Johns Hopkins, but my 3 years of structural biology research experience was enough to get me into a couple of top programs. Bottom line, try to get above average GREs, substantial research experience, and good LOR's, and you should be able to get into a good graduate program. Sidenote, you also don't have to put down your program by saying it's not the best. I come from a small school that's unknown out of my state, and even our own students say that they cannot do much with their degree. I am laughing at all the naysayers with acceptances from top programs. What matters the most is what you get out of your program.

Bio hopeful, I'm sure you did nothing wrong. My interview from the 7th still hasn't gotten back to me yet. There was another interview weekend last week, so I'm expecting to hear this week. Your other two interviews were more recent, so you should hear something soon. Crossing my fingers for you!

Congratulations flat_rhino!!!

Congratulations cogidubnus!!

Biohopeful, I was hoping that was you!

Thanks mrmolecularbiology! Options!

Acceptance to the NIH/Georgetown Graduate Partnership Program. There are NO WORDS! I'm over the moon excited!

I would make a copy of my rejection letter and mail it in with the donation slip. I know it is somewhat out of the control of the people who sent it to you, but that still sucks. I'm sorry.

Congratulations bcell23!!!! I'm sure it must feel so good to commit to a school! Biohopeful, I wouldn't see it as a bad sign yet. Unfortunately some schools are slower than others. I interviewed for a school on the 7th as well that I haven't heard from, and I pretty much know for a fact that I have been accepted. If march 7th rolls around and you haven't heard, or see any updates on the results page, then I would maybe call or email. Don't stress just yet.

I will agree with HP battery life. The battery failed after about a year and a half, and would not stay charged for more than 10 minutes unplugged. The port for the plug of the HP that I had was also flimsy, and wore easily. Maybe I received a lemon.

"Why didn't you apply to Harvard? Everyone applies to Harvard, just to see." Apparently, I did not know this. Just to see what?

Congratulations! You are a machine!

I also agree that Dells are hit or miss. I personally had an HP that I loved. The only reason that it did not last was because I kept dropping it. On the other hand, I have dropped my Dells countless times and they have survived. If I were not treating myself to a Mac, I would try a Toshiba next. I have heard good things about them.

All of my schools asked as well. I don't believe that it has affected me negatively. If that's what they base their decision on, that's extremely unfair. I know they don't expect us to apply to only one program, or equally competitive programs. Laggs0, I see you have been accepted to UPenn BMB. Congratulations! I loved their program, it will be a hard choice between my top two. I was at the first interview weekend.

Four of my programs used apply yourself, which means I had to keep track of a combination of random letters and numbers. The other three used their own software on their website. Navigation on them all was fairly easy. Because they all looked somewhat similar, I had constant anxiety making sure that I filled each of them out fully, so I signed up for all of them to send my recommenders their links, but then worked on one at a time. I guess it beats paper applications, but the apps that required a faxed transcript really annoyed me, because it took FOREVER to get the sizing correct.

Congratulations on the acceptances! Keep them coming!