aba1984

Yes, I got many emails quoting Jan 6. Of course, by then, your fate may already be sealed.

Does anyone know when U Miami PiBS interviews are this year? No info on their website.

You guys are at least getting replies. The past 2 weeks, I must've sent 6 or 7 emails asking this same question. I have yet to receive a single reply. Trust me, this is even worse for your psyche.

What I wonder what it means if you didn't get anything. Automatic rejection?

I haven't heard anything yet either. Keep in mind that their interviews are not until February 6 and they interview all the way through March, so they are not in a rush like the schools that have January interviews. If we get interviews, I think we should hear in the next 3 weeks or so. Chill

Lol, you asked the grad coordinator what to wear? I will wear my slacks and a blouse with a casual blazer and definitely flats (you know, the kind of stuff you see at Express). This is my style of clothing so to me it's appropriate. If you want to wear jeans, I'd say go with really dark denim that is tailored nicely. I don't think just because it says recruitment, it means automatic acceptance. When you think about it, they are recruiting during interviews. However, I think you got some pretty good chances since they are paying to bring you there.

Nice to see some schools are a bit behind. From some of the posts so far, everything seemed so early, I was beginning to worry.

Yes, my problem was that my undergrad wasn't a research school, the research that I did was considered the most you could do in that school at that time. I would put that on my SOP, but feel like it would be disrespectful to put the school down like that since this is the same school that's been giving me glowing LORs in the past. I'm hoping that bringing my GPA up to 3.8 to 3.9 in my MS will help out since I only have the easy stuff left, and who knows, maybe 1.5 years of accumulated research in addition to my 4 years as a lab tech will at least get me an interview.

New member here. What a great community! I am slowly getting ready to apply this fall and I wanted to know what you guys think are the best cities to live in and which universities might have programs that are a good fit for me. I am a Georgia gal, been here too long and wish to move but don't really know what's out there. My biggest challenge is driving in the snow, so please no overly cold climates. Here goes my situation, you guys let me know if you think there's a good program and city out there for me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BS in Biology Public state school out here in the country, it's an ok school (pretty large) Finished with a 3.3 GPA Travelled abroad to do research in the summer and then worked on it for another semester, but no publication and it was in ecology Currently working on my MS in Biology (molecular genetics) at GSU Current GPA is 3.6 Working on a thesis related to neurobiology/molecular genetics More than likely will have one first-author publication and possibly one second-author publication, Plus the volunteering and helping out I do at my current lab with others' research. GRE was 1320 (720Q/600V), or 316 new format Essay was like a 4 or 4.5 (something like that) No subject test Currently enrolled in an online Bioinformatics certificate program, debating to convert it into a Master of Engineering program so my application maybe looks better with two graduate degrees, but not sure how much it would help me. I worked 4 years in a lab, but it was not research, just basically a lab tech in a cytology lab. I did get promoted throughout, but it was one of those labs that are all about manual labor, not research. I do have a couple of stories and achievements to add to my personal statement that are a bit unusual, so I think that will hopefully help me. I am least worried about my LOR's, so hopefully that will pull me out of the woods too. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am looking for something related to molecular genetics, cancer biology, or developmental biology. I am in love with Emory's cancer biology PhD program, but highly doubt I qualify. They only accept 5 students per year and I was told less now with the economy the way it is. Thoughts from you experienced applicants? Any suggestions for this native Georgia gal who rarely travels anywhere? Where to apply, how many schools to apply to, where to live...so much to decide...