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mrmolecularbiology

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    2013 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    I am from the east coast and I feel that it might be difficult to adjust moving so far away from family and friends (mainly the huge difference in time zones). I know I applied to a lot of west coast schools but a lot of schools in the west coast have very good programs and I did not even consider distance while I was applying (I know, foolish right?). Also, the program offers $30k a year. Housing costs $1200/year and the grad students recommended having a car. I am aware that the cost of living in LA is very high, but I figured the grad school would subsidize this high cost like the NY schools I applied to. For example, Weill Cornell offers subsidized housing at 750/month + utilities costs with a stipend of 34k a year. Housing is next door to the research institutions,  so you would only have to walk to work. I wonder how far the stipend stretches at UCLA...Duke offers approximately the same stipend, only their cost of living is so much cheaper. There are a lot of great faculty at UCLA, I'm just wondering if spending 5+ years there would be difficult.

    Ah. I understand completely. I'm trying to decide between UTSW and UCSF (although I might also fall in love with JHU this weekend). IF it makes you feel better San Fran is even more expensive lol. For me I think it will come down to research fit. I'm not going to grad school to make money so losing most of my stipend to rent is annoying but won't factor in to my final decision. Hoping you get in to Cornell good luck!

    2013 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Rejected from Duke CMB and wait listed at Columbia. I was accepted to UCLA ACCESS with nomination for a fellowship. However, I am a little hesitant to committing to this program if it is the only program I am able to get into. I saw that some acceptance offers for Weill Cornell BCMB have been sent out, and I haven't received one. I really liked this school!  Feeling super bummed because my interview with the chair of admissions went really well and she told me she was sure I would get an acceptance. However, one of my interviews did not go as well as I thought, now that I'm thinking about it, and I feel this has ruined my chance of acceptance.

     

    Feeling super stressed and bummed. Wondering if I should consider working for a few years and then reapplying :(

    Hang in there a little longer to hear back from Cornell. What's wrong with UCLA?

    Jobs in the UK

    in Biology

    Posted

    No stipend - it's a 1-2 year taught master's that he should be able to transfer to a PhD after completion - but so long as he is a master's student he is responsible for everything including tuition.  Makes things nice and complicated.   

     

    I sill have my finger cross for his last remaining US PhD program to admit him but if not I want to be ready and prepared for a move to the UK. 

    I hope he gets into the US program. Tuition for international students is not cheap and your salary alone will not likely cover the living expenses for your family. 

    Jobs in the UK

    in Biology

    Posted

    Does any one have any experience with finding jobs in the UK as an American?  In the biological sciences? As each rejection rolls in it gets more an more likely that he's heading off to Kent Canturbury for grad school.  I will have just finished my PhD in Mol Bio by then but I am afraid I will not be able to find employment. 

    He? Who is he? If he is your husband you should have no problem getting a visa as long as he gets one. The UK has Industry and Academic positions (postdocs) just like the US. The funding situation is just a little different. I know they post fellowships for Grad students online and you could likely find postdoc fellowships. These are lab specific so start looking to find an opening that would suit your interests/experience. 

    Senior class advice (interested in pathobiology and infectious diseases)

    in Biology

    Posted

    I'm going to be a senior next year and I'm considering and curious about going down the infectious Disease or pathobiology with a  global health route. That being said I'm a little curious about upper level classes I should take. Because of my course load and lab I work in (plus...you know, actual work) I won't be able to take ALL the classes I wanted to take, thus I must cut 2 of them. I'm not sure if I should take:

    • Orgo 2 and Biochem 2 (but cut virology and Bacterial Physiology)

    or

    • Virology and Bacterial Physiology (and cut orgo 2 and biochem 2)

    I'll still have orgo 1 and biochem 1 on my transcript but i'm just not sure which one would be more useful.

     

    If it helps I also have under my belt

    • Microbiology
    • Orgo 1
    • Molecular
    • Cell
    • Bio Chem 1
    • Genetics
    • Bio Stat
    • Bio Ethics

    Thanks a lot for any help you can give.

    You will need Orgo 2 for most biology based grad programs. I'd go Orgo 2 and Biochem 2 and worry about more specialized classes as a Grad student.

    Vanderbilt IGP VS Dartmouth MCB

    in Decisions, Decisions

    Posted · Edited by mrmolecularbiology

    So, I just heard this morning that I got in to my top choice programs. I am currently at odds on which offer to accept.

     

    I am interested in Pharmacology and I heard Vandy is #1 in Pharmacology. Plus. the PI I am most interested in working with (who already invited me to rotate in her lab this summer) is in Vandy. Also, from my visit, Vandy seems to be really amazing, >4.2 papers/student, >50% gets grad fellowships, >50% postdoc placement.'

     

    On the other hand, Dartmouth seemed to be a really great place. Not a lot of pharmacology/signal transduction people but I really like the intellectual atmosphere there. Also, I have never lived in a small town before and I've always wanted to try it.

     

    Stipend/beneifts wise, both offer the same thing, except that Dartmouth offered me an initial fellowship of $4000 in addition to the stipend, insurance, etc. Vanderbilt offered assistance to relocate and a $1500 sign in bonus. So, it's pretty much the same in that category.

     

    Living-wise, Nashville seems to be more affordable and there are a lot more things to do. I love music and am a foodie so considering that and the fact that my "Science HERO" is in Vandy, I am sort of leaning towards Vandy.

     

    I would, however, like to know your thoughts on the comparison between the programs, etc! Thanks!

    Based on your description, looks like your heart is already at Vandy.

    One question to consider: If you and the PI your most interested in do not work out are there other PIs you would want to work for? How does this compare too your POIs at Dartmouth?

    2013 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results

    in Biology

    Posted · Edited by mrmolecularbiology

    Do situations occur where a school rejects you, however a professor really wants you and pulls you into their lab and agrees to fund you, therefore the university will overturn the decision?

    No idea but if a professor wanted you that bad wouldn't they fight to get you accepted in the first place?

    That said some people are "direct admitted" so it is possible.

    2013 Applicant Profiles and Admission Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Congratulations! 

     

     

    Someone said earlier to bring 'official copies of your transcript' ...  My school charges $7 for official copies.

     

    Can you just bring photo copies?  About how many would you suggest?  Is there any other documents you suggest that I bring to the interviews?   CV?  Research Prospectus?     ?????????????????????

    UCSF specifically requires you to bring official copies of your transcripts to their interviews. Unless they asked you do not need them.

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