Vitalbreath

Ah well, congratulations anyhow! and best of luck to you at NYU =)

I mulled over the same decision because originally Columbia was my top choice [it really only had the advantage of NYC, but good enough there]. After my acceptance to UPenn I really sat down and weighed the pro's and con's of each school. I talked to alumni, delved into research, and looked at my future career/life goals and saw what had the best fit [i'll be earning a Masters in Biotechnology which mixes Engineering and various Biological sub-field classes and want to go to business school eventually]. Honestly, take a look at what you want out of the program. If all you are looking for is a job that pays you over $50,000 then get in touch with alumni of the program and find out how strong their career services is and the quality of their workshops, career placement, and contacts. [i know for UPenn the career services for Engineering is extremely strong.] If you're looking into future business school, or the location of your job placement is a factor, see what companies or networks these schools have contacts with. Also look specifically into research if that is something you wanted to do as well and see which labs appeal more to you. At the end of the day, the decision is really up to you and what the best fit for you is. Also try visiting the campuses or talking to students. If the programs are relatively equal then it is honestly where you feel more at home and how hard you work while you are there that matters. Good luck with your decision, it seems that wherever you go you'll be just fine. =)

Hello all. So I FINALLY received an informal acceptance email today. Its a shame that their admissions was so unresponsive considering they were one of my top choices [the top for a while until I delved into more programs deeper]. I will be sending in my decline response today, I hope its useful if any of you were wait-listed. Here is the letter: Dear Ms. XXXXX, We are pleased to invite you to join the Master's Program in Biotechnology. You will be receiving an official letter of offer from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) shortly by email. When you receive the letter from GSAS, you will be asked to respond officially by a certain date. In addition, I'd appreciate if you let me know, even if unofficially, your decision as soon as possible. I hope you decide to come. But if you do decline this offer, please tell us why. Please check below: Will join the program full time Will join the program part time Will not join the program; accepted to another program: (please specify) Will not attend graduate school because of Financial difficulty Other job or personal commitment Change of career goal Others Will you consider join our program in the future if situation changes? Anything else you can tell us? Please be as candid as possible. Your response will make us a better and a more attractive program. Meanwhile, if you have any question or wish to know more about the program, please feel free to contact me. I hope to see you soon as a new student in our program. With best wishes. Sincerely, Carol Lin

It honestly depends on which programs you are applying to. If you are applying for a PhD, I know people who have applied for up to 20 schools. If you're applying for a Masters, some people have applied to only a few [i applied to 4], dependent upon fit and because as a Masters student you have the option of working for a few years and then re-applying since the programs are shorter. A good rule of thumb that I have seen has been the 3-3-3 rule. 3 safety schools, 3 middle-tier schools and 3 reach schools. If you let us know what degree you are applying for I am sure people will be able to better assist you. =)

Hey all! I will be attending UPenn in the fall for a Masters in Biotechnology. Anyone else heading there as well for Masters/PhD study?

Congratulations kayhell!!! I hope everything works out for you and your student visa, but knowing how this process has gone, you are definitely going to have to hound them for that information as well. On the other hand, I am also still waiting and getting quite frustrated. I'll be calling in tomorrow and if I do not hear anything by the end of the week I am going to hand in my deposit for UPenn. I don't want to risk losing space in classes or housing. jusef87, do you have any other acceptances?

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at Rutgers and would be more than willing to help any future graduate student learn the ins and outs of the university. PM me if you have questions =)

Received a response to an email I sent to Madeline Rivera on the 25th. The response was from Marilyn Watkins-Wilkerson [mw14@columbia.edu] "Dear XXX, your application is complete. Hopefully, you will know the status of your application very soon. You will receive an e-mail." My application has been complete since April 1st and I really wish they were not so vague. I wonder what is taking so long. I really hope we find out by the end of the first week of June. It be nice to know that we can accept other places and look for apartments/apply for graduate housing before the summer is half way over.

Hey, no I haven't heard anything yet either. I actually got in touch with the office last week and she said that some select people have heard back but that not everyone has and that they were still in the process of making decisions. Hopefully we'll hear back soon =/. Let me know if you hear anything! =) btw - does your online application say under review or anything at all?

I am waiting on all 5! [eek] 1.Columbia- MA in Biotechnology 2. UPenn - MA in Biotech 3. Mount Sinai - MA in Biomedical Sciences 4. NYU - MA in Biology 5. Georgetown - MA in Biotechnology keeping my fingers crossed! Good luck everyone =)

Hey there everyone! I was wondering if anyone has been able to get in contact with Columbia's GSAS office through the phone or via emailing them at mw14@columbia.edu. I have been trying to call almost every day for the past week and no one has picked up the phone or returned an email. I applied for their Masters in Biotechnology program and am getting really nervous that I haven't heard anything, has anyone else? Question to you who have applied and received notice to any program. Did the online application system say your application was under review at any point or that you had been accepted/rejection? If anyone knows a good way for me to contact them, please let me know! Thank you =)