biotechie

I hope yours was equally as positive. I can't wait to hear!

I just finished up my first interview. I'm absolutely in love with this school, the program, and the people in it that I've met. This program sent me through 5 interviews with potential PIs and several dinners with students. Spending lots of time with the students really helped. Each interview was 35-40 minutes, very informal and comfortable, and the PIs could ask us about anything that they wanted. Some asked about my projects and gave specific questions (and even advice!). Not all of them wanted to know what I was up to at my other school as they had my resume and could see which scientific protocols I knew. They all asked me why I picked that particular program and why I decided to complete a M.S. before my PhD. I had lots of questions asking me to clarify my interests, and one asked me to describe my perfect project (luckily it was something that would fit into his lab group). Two of my five asked me specifics about protocols I do, specifically Chromatin IP... what beads do I use, how do I optimize primers, etc. They also wanted to know how I isolated my cell lines and how all of my previous lab experiences would be useful in their lab groups. One of them thought my application and research statement sufficed, and after making sure that my personal life would not pull me away from lab (i.e. the boyfriend) and that I was genuinely interested in the school, he set out to describe a research project he thought would fit my interests. There was pretty much no interview, though he did ask how confident I felt. I was sent home with an outline for a project and about 100 pages of papers to "look over." I would imagine that this is very uncommon. A second asked only a couple of questions about myself and my projects, but launched into a discussion of his research topic, pausing where he thought I should ask questions. He was also in a recruiting mood, I think, though he admitted that he had not received a copy of my application before I walked in. He told me about one student and all of the publications that student had achieved. Another, who was doing things that are almost at the limit of my understanding took the time to work me through his current projects, and, when I admitted a deficiency in my knowledge of microRNAs explained a little bit and has since sent me some information so that I may read up. He asked very specific questions from my essays; it was apparent that he had taken the time to read it very closely, which I appreciated. Thorough and caring PIs are hard to find. The final one turned it into a, "Let's make this an advisement appointment" and spent the interview trying to determine how ready I am to be in a large lab group and away from home. It was very useful, and I did get to ask her research questions. I guess the point I am trying to get across is that you really need to know your stuff and that it is going to vary greatly by professor. Know your research in and out, and know how you got the end result. Know what each step and each solution does.

Thanks! Definitely e-mail them if it was the IDP program you applied to. They were very prompt at replying to e-mails, today. I got a response after 5 pm their time. Good luck! Anyone else leaving for interviews, tomorrow? Excited? Nervous? Feeling all feelings at once? That last one is where I'm at!

I agree. 100%.

Mine have all been between 3 and 5 pm central US time, from schools that have as many as two hours difference from me in time.

Thanks Biotechstudent! It has been jumping between being 60 degrees here and nice to sudden epic cold with sleet and ice. Right now, we have sleet and ice. Lots of us are very jealous of your weather, I'm sure. I'm glad to hear of students attending there. I've heard nothing but positives from my professors that went there, but I haven't heard much from students. I chose the interview that goes from Jan 27-29, so if that works out, I get to visit very soon! UF and Baylor are my top choices.

Woohoo! Interview invitation to University of Florida IDP in Biomedical Sciences! Guess they realized we were antsy!

Did you apply to the IDP program? I know their first interview is the 27-29, so I'm worried. They are one of my top choices.

I hope you're right, Banksy. I also hope I hear from my other two schools, soon! I just submitted a new application to another one... but UCSD and University of Florida are freaking me out a little bit.

I know. I find it hard to believe some of my programs are only getting 200 applicants... But that is the site I keep getting directed to. Maybe someone has a better site?

I think this is the site, but I don't know how often it is updated: http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx

I'm sorry! You could try this edible cookie dough: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/single-serve-cookie-dough

Exactly. For me, every day is shirts that have gotten destroyed in the lab and my favorite style of jeans. I am upping it to some nice, dark-wash jeans, a decent blouse, and my cowboy boots. That should be a good combination for an informal dinner. I will be comfortable but look decent. They told us to dress comfortable and informally as we will have been traveling for most of the day. Interview day will be quite a bit nicer... just a tiny step below business formal for me.

Are you talking about University of Florida? I'm waiting on them as well. I will go on as many interviews as I am invited on!

That will be so much fun!!! Oh geez. I need these. But seriously... watch the "ums, uhs, kindas, sortofs, stuffs" etc and you should be fine as far as general speaking goes. Those junk words can get in the way. I've heard entire conversations where there were more junk words than actual content! I'm reading up on the professors I get to meet with, now. Some of them are doing one or two techniques that I don't do, so it will be fun to ask about them. If they do go into technical stuff on my techniques, I will be fine. I'm also taking in my resume, and slides from my recent seminar.

I got a new one, today.... One of my schools had a hard time coordinating enough professors within my interests for my interview, I"m guessing because there is a big conference that week. I kept listing new professors that I might be interested in since my main POIs are going to be away. >.< When I was talking to a friend about it, she responded, "Well, that just means you're smarter than those professors!" I know she was trying to make me feel better, but I wanted to be like, "No. They're super amazing professors. Everyone wants them to do things. They are super busy. I have maybe 1/100th of that knowledge." Arg. I've stopped talking about my studies with non-science people.

ME!!! I leave on Thursday and will be there until Sunday afternoon!

I'm not sure how that would connect, either. I put Molecular Cel Biology and Physiology, but I address those two areas as well as Immunology in my SOP and Research Statement. Yeah... my GPA is 3.65, 70th percentile GREs, and 6 years in research labs, 1 publication, and three in progress. We should continue to hope, together.

What are your stats like? I'm concerned because my GRE is a little low, but my research experience is awesome, so if they just LOOK at my application, I'm hoping that gives me a chance. If they use the score and GPA cutoff system, I'm screwed.

Mine, too. Next Thursday I leave. My interview is also at my top school. :/ So nervous! Plus I'll be there four days... you think I can be a good little biotechie for that long? I don't know what makes me more nervous... the interview, or the thought that my lab might explode before I get back to my current school!

You guys are making me nervous. I'm only waiting on UCSD Biomedical Science and University of Florida IDP in Biomedical Sciences. I've seen some rejections for UCSD, but nothing for UF. Anyone else applying to UF?

Yes, I submitted at the original deadline, which was December 1, before they extended it. I got notified that I would be interviewed the week before Christmas.

Yeah... totally losing it. Just remembered that a week from now, I'll be waiting on my turn to get on the airplane to go to my interview... The only one I've been offered so far. At my top school. >.<

Definitely e-mail them if you are interested in your second choice. They are very nice and quick to respond, and it may help to know that you are actually interested... I don't see how it would hurt. BCM usually e-mails to tell you they moved you to your second choice...

Yeah... WashU must get a TON of applications.