yorkies

Heyy coollsy! Thanks so much! Congrats on making a decision! How long is the Michener program? They're like 2 years right? If you get in after one year can you just leave Michener without consequence? Well the application process for UPenn is really similar to Columbia's. I think you should figure out which areas you can improve (recommendation letter, GRE score, relevant experience, etc. etc.) and work on that. I mean... I could tell you my stats but I'm not sure how helpful it would be? Anyways good luck! You should totally keep in touch with us and let us know how things are going next year!

hmm yeah I have until august 1st to send it so I guess it can wait until I actually graduate Also have you received your setup code yet to get a PennKey? Still waiting for mine... I have no idea yet, probably sometime mid-August before the 20th so I can get settled in. My family will most likely be driving me (8 hours >_<) and we want to explore the campus/city together.

newyorker- I just received two e-mails this morning, one about sending them an official transcript & proof of my BSc degree (not sure how to do that, as I haven't convocated yet :S...) and another alerting me about my I-20 application to enter the US.

Awesome!!! Nope, I only received an e-mail about the online info sessions and how to sign up for them. I'm waiting for the setup code to get the PennKey, since you kind of need it to do anything at all, and also waiting for them to initiate my visa application. Will let you know if I get anything!

Haha yup I agree wholeheartedly. Moving to a completely different city (and country for me) is so scary! Looking forward to meeting you in the fall!

Awwww, well it certainly makes the decision easy for us. I'm very sorry that you had to pass up those opportunities in New York... shame But I'm sure that after we complete the degree it would be a simple matter to search for jobs in the NYC area And awesome!!! Once you decide let me know and we can keep in touch over the summer! Yeah honestly the degree probably doesn't matter that much, but it is quite confusing because "Master of Biotechnology" isn't common at all like you said. The closest thing I can find to it is the "MBiotech" at University of Toronto Mississauga up here in Canada. Most biotech masters are MA or MS. But I don't really think it affects your job opportunities that much. And yup I seriously don't know anything about engineering haha screw that!

nicktim - Thank you so much! I really am happy to go to either. And anyhow, these are pretty short programs and after graduating you have the opportunity to go anywhere, which is great. Congratulations to you too, I am really glad that you will be attending a school that is the perfect fit for you! vcherneky - I think my lack of biotech-related experience was my downfall... It's great that you might have the opportunity to work at the same time, but I think it depends on how you feel about an online-based program. Of course you'll probably have a more engaging experience on-campus, but having a job at the same time and living in NYC sounds pretty great. You have a pretty difficult decision to make!!! newyorker - Yes, I handed in my deposit for UPenn yesterday! Did you hear back from Columbia yet? I was reading over the curriculum again and all the course descriptions last night and since we're so science-focused I think the molecular biology track would be perfect for us! It's all science-y stuff that I'm familiar with, like immunology, genetics and cell biology. I am so not doing the engineering biotechnology track haha! I had like heart palpitations reading the courses for that one. There is no freaking way I am going to do well in those courses, especially something like engineering mathematics. I vowed to myself that I would never come face-to-face with linear algebra ever again. But, I dunno, it's still early, and I'm just going to skim over the useful texts they put up (http://www.upenn.edu/biotech/Useful%20Texts.pdf) and see which track would be best for me. YES, it is a different degree. I don't know how important that is to you. But Columbia's is an MA, and UPenn's is an MB (Master of Biotechnology). If you had to equate it to an MA/MS it would definitely be an MS since it is in the SEAS department. But I think largely MA/MS degrees are more for people who do a thesis (like in Columbia). UPenn's program does not require you to do a thesis, and you don't even have to do an independent study (although if you do the molecular biology track it is required). I kind of like having that option, and the independent study can also be an internship, which is great for some extra $$$. UPenn specifically calls it a "professional" master's so I'm thinking that's why they call it an MB, since other professional master's have their own names too, e.g. MPH, MBA, MSW, etc. coollsy - Thank you so much! I really wish the best for you as well regardless of what you decide to do. I know quite a few people who have applied to Michener this year and it will definitely lead you to a very good job! But, if you're set on biotechnology I think it's always a good idea to try again, and take the year to take on a job or do some research. Now that you've gone through the process once doing it again should be a lot simpler. na3eem - Judging by previous years' results it looks like people heard back quite late in May and even in June! I would definitely shoot them an e-mail if you're in a hurry.

Johns Hopkins is an amazing school; I know that we are all disappointed but I really wish the best for you!

it makes me wonder what they were looking for...

yeah that's what it feels like, since all three of us are international

omg this thread is making me really freaking sad!!! I was really really hoping that you guys would make it at least it's obviously an extremely competitive program....

looks like today was the day for rejections

You can do it!!! No matter what happens, be proud of yourself This is such a gruelling process and the wait is probably the worst part.

Well, I randomly checked the gsas application website and there was a status update. Rejection letter no e-mail (yet). Sad... but happy to attend UPenn and finally know where I'll be going. Good luck to the rest of you! Edit: just received notification e-mail

ugh.... I feel incredibly impatient as well. I will be sending them an e-mail if we do not hear by the 15th.