Monochrome Spring

I like the Manhattan 5lb book of practice problems. I know all of the basic math, and I'm building vocabulary with flash cards. My biggest problem is identifying the question and how the test wants it answered. You can get so used to answering problems in a specific way that you completely overlook what the GRE is actually asking. The Manhattan book helps by giving a lot of problems so that you can identify them quickly and answer them efficiently on test day.

Since you used Campbell for your chapter outlines, I think this website is a great resource for the biology GRE, as well as the AP test.

I would call someone in admissions and ask. There are graduate students and post-docs in my lab that have a BA, not a BS. But, as an undergraduate at a university where a BS is much more comprehensive than a BA, I don't feel like a BA is as good of a background. I think it's very possible to get into grad school with a BA, but I think a BS prepares you a bit better, depending on your program.

I like R, since that is what I learned in my owns statistics course, and because that's what everyone in my lab group uses.

In ecology, I first chose my focal organisms, which I decided to be plants. Then I chose topics that I found interesting in my coursework, or in the lab that I intern in: herbivory, community interactions, and biodiversity. Then I chose a habitat that I have loved since I was a child watching documentaries on T.V.: the tropics. So, my research interests are causes of high biodiversity in the tropics, and how community interactions and herbivory affect said biodiversity. I think for relations with Russia, you should be a little more specific, and maybe touch on how relationships with Russia influence a particular issue. That's just my two cents, but I'm not in political science.

I don't think it's a matter of how long you know the professor, but what you think your relationship is. If you've known a professor for only a month, but you've already done work in his lab and your relationship is good, that's fine. If you've known a professor for 2 years, but you didn't do much in the lab other than wash dishes, and you rarely saw him except once a month, then that's probably not going to be a great letter.

I vote yes for a personal website. It can promote traffic to your research, other than for your grad apps. It also can help you phrase your research interests and your C.V. when you know it's exposed to anyone and every one. I put a link to my website on my C.V., at the top with my phone number.

2013 grad. applications are coming up. So, how are you organizing your application materials and deadlines? (Or how did you, if you've already applied?) ------- Personally, I just purchased a filing box and some hanging files for all of my personal and household needs. So, I added a section called "grad. apps.". Within that section, I have a folder for each school that I'm applying to. Taped on the inside cover of each school folder, I have a timeline/checklist for application materials, which I can reference easily. In each school folder, I've included printed out information about each POI, the website information for each application, and any FAQ that the sites provide. I also have folders within the main grad. app. section for GRE timelines, reference material lists, scores, etc. Then, I have a folder that has extra official transcripts from each college I went to for any site uploads, or if I need to mail any in emergency. In my final folder, I have all of the materials for fellowships, grants, scholarships, and any other pertinent financial aid information. I'm still debating if I want fellowships that are tied to a specific school to go in that school's file, though. I think this system will work for me, and it will keep me from going crazy with piles of paperwork.

EEB is very broad, as zabius said, so you have your work cut out for you finding programs that you want to apply to. While I was choosing which programs I want to apply to, I first thought of what organisms I wanted to focus on. For me, that's plants. Then I thought about the habitat. I want to be more specific and look at tropical ecosystems. In addition to that, you have to think about whether you want to look at things like animal behavior, molecular evolution, phylogenies, community structure, herbivore interactions, etc. You don't have to be very specific, but you should have a general sense of those types of topics. Looking at the top schools, many of them didn't even fit my research interests, despite being top programs. They are the best for specific subfields within ecology, but not my own. I would do a google search for the specific subfields that you are looking at, and look at universities that have more than one faculty that are doing research in that area. As for the application process, zabius pretty much covered it. The biggest difference I've noticed between EEB and other programs is that EEB programs often require that you have already made contact with professors of interest, while other programs often just suggest that you do so. By contacting professors, you can also get a better idea of what subfield you are interested in working in. If you can narrow the search like that, it'll be easier to give you the names of universities that are best to apply to.

I recommend this: - Look up respected programs in microbial ecology - Look up professors in those programs - Read through published papers, and make note of anything that stands out as interesting - Focus on a few areas that you found particularly interesting - Look up professors that fit those focus areas (preferably, you have looked at their papers now) - Email those professors, expressing interest in their work, asking about the application process, etc. I don't think it's too early to contact professors. I've contacted some already. The general response is either contact them again in August or they have no problem keeping in contact over summer. The email format that I used was just a very general introduction with my GPA, when I'm graduating, and where I go to school. Then I had a short segment about my research and how that would relate to the interests of the professor's lab. Then I asked if they were accepting students for fall 2014, and if so, could they please keep an open dialogue with me about going forward with the application process at their respective programs. As for your research experience, once you have started talking to these professors, you can discuss the amount of research experience that you have and how to approach that in applications. The professors should be very upfront with you about if you have enough to be competitive for their programs or not. They can also give you advice on how to make up for shortcomings like that.

I haven't been accepted. But in my recent phone interview with my top choice POI, I was told that having the experience for independent research is what he finds to be the most important aspect of the application. He said that students who have done work specifically related to their graduate level research stand out, because they can jump right into their own research and don't need as much training. He also made a very big point to talk about how I should start my SOP early on, and that I should make it very clear how my previous experience will benefit the program. He also talked about having a clear goal in mind for what kind of research I want to do, even if it's not a specific project. I think for STEM fields that are very field-work centric, having a strong background stands out. It shows a previous focus in that area, as well as an ability to learn the required processes. He also noted that a demonstrated ability to work on independent projects in the field showed a lot of potential.

I haven't applied yet, but from what I know... First of all, you should take note that the GRE has changed. It is out of 340, not counting the writing score. The following is assuming a total score of 1200, for 600 on each section. An old score of 600 on the verbal would now be around a 160, or 83rd percentile, which is good. An old score of 600 on the quantitative would now be around a 148, or 35th percentile, which is dismal. Of course, you don't have to necessarily go 50/50 on those scores, and an old 1200, depending on how you divide it, could be a great score. http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf I would be very clear with your advisor for the summer project that you want to publish your findings and present them at a conference. Depending on the field, upcoming conference dates, the publication process, it might not be possible for you to have that before you apply to graduate programs. I'm assuming that you will be filling out applications this fall 2013 for fall 2014 programs, and that you will going into your senior year and are finishing your junior year. If you are going into your junior year and aren't applying until fall 2014 for fall 2015 programs, I think you definitely have time to get more faculty connections, do research, publish (depending on field), and present at a conference or two. Even if all of those are great, your application will also heavily depend on the recommendations that your advisors write, your statement of purpose, your personal history statement (if required), and any other additions to your application that aren't just numbers. Your field is quite different from mine, but I hope that helped with some general information. Maybe read around the field-specific forums to see what others have recommended for applications.

I think flashcards without context are still okay. It's good to think of a sentence that you would use each word in, as well. If I only have 2 weeks, I would take my flashcards with me everywhere, and study whenever waiting in line, for a class, on a short break, etc. Also, if you have the Manhattan 5lb book of GRE problems, I would go through the verbal section again. I'm finding it very useful for picking out trick answers.

I don't expect a ton of people to post their stats now. I still need to take the GRE before I do. But I think that it's a great place to start and we can post when we're ready.

I know! It's scary when you realize that it's your turn. But at least the forum is good support. I don't know many others who would support me through this process.

I hope this isn't too early, but I figure that we can help each other before application season begins to get hectic. Undergrad Institution: (School or type of school, such as big state, lib arts, ivy, technical, foreign (what country?)... Overall Reputation in Biology?) Major(s): Minor(s): GPA in Major: Overall GPA: Position in Class: (No numbers needed, but are you top? near top? average? struggling?) Type of Student: (Domestic/International, male/female, minority?) GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: V: W: B: TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this) Research Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...) Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?) Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...) Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...) Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applying to Where: School - Department - Research Interest School - Department - Research Interest School - Department - Research Interest

I am taking a practicum course in restoration ecology and we will be learning field techniques that will be very useful in graduate school. How do I add that to my CV? It's more of an education item, not research, but I don't want to clutter the education section with practicum courses. Should I create a new section that is for skills? Examples of CVs with similar requirements would be great, if possible. Thank you!

I think authorship at all is still going to look great to graduate schools. First author will look better, but you won't be expected to have this. If you think that you may be a higher author on a paper that hasn't been submitted yet, you can always mention this in your C.V. as "in prep" or "in review" or "in revision" and then mention authorship in an interview.

I forgot t add Ender's Game. It's probably my favorite fiction, so a must read.

Instead of mailing the office, try making a direct call to the office and asking for more information. Hopefully, they will answer and let you explain your situation.

Yes, I am an Aggie. I've noticed that Jared Diamond is considered unwelcome in many fields, like he's stepping on too many toes. But I do enjoy the examples he brings up, because one can always look further into them without taking Diamond's opinions.

I really like Jared Diamond's books. They touch on more evolutionary points, but they do look at social complexity, inequality, and power relations. The Third Chimpanzee - Jared Diamond This book is about how and why humans came to dominate other apes. It touches on social issues, especially for aborigines that are viewed as "lesser humans". Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond This book discusses how certain civilizations were able to conquer others through agriculture, invention of guns (with steel), and the spread of germs from adventurers. Collapse - Jared Diamond This book talks about how human impacts are depleting resources in the environment, and it touches on social inequality through monopoly of resources. The World Until Yesterday - Jared Diamond I haven't read this one yet, but it talks about what we can learn from traditional societies. Your Inner Fish - Neil Shubin This book looks into human evolution and some archaeological finds that contribute to our knowledge of it. It is more about human physiology than social relations, but it's a good short read.

I would put any lab work as research experience. But if all you did was clean supplies or make the buffers, I would be very honest about it. Those skills are important, but they are not the same as performing an experiment and analyzing data. For the time being, I am using my C.V. as a hybrid with a resumé. Those with advanced degrees generally just list the lab that they worked in, the publications from that lab, and any side projects that were significant. For those of us with less experience, it's common to add the tasks that we performed (i.e. making buffers, gels, transplanting and monitoring specimens, copying data). If it makes you feel more comfortable, you could also include a time frame to your work, by listing something like Jan.-Jun. 2013.