bsharpe269

Hmm I was thinking pure when I answered. With applied math, a subject test might be sufficient.

I was a math undergrad, bioinformatics MS. I only had 1 bio course, 2 chem, 1 physics, no CS. I did have quite a bit of research experience in applied math that contained some CS components. I think that for MS degrees, you can get into decent bioinforamtics programs by showing an interest, even if you dont have tons of science coursework. My school offers courses to catch you up if you lacking in bio or CS. If you have any bioinformatics questions feel free to ask... I am really enjoying the field!

I feel like retaking might be a good idea. Your other credentials are so great that it would suck to miss out on fellowships because of GRE cut offs. Quant scores can be improved alot by studying. I am currently using magoosh and finding it very helpful.

Yes I think you should ask whether working with them would be a possibility. At every school I'm applying to there is a single professor who I want to work with(I know exactly what I want to study and won't consider anything else) . If that professor is t taking students then I won't even apply to those programs. I think basing your decision on who can take students makes perfect sense and if anything, proves your passion for research.

My plan is to send automatically to any schools that require the test and then fill the rest of my 4 free ones with schools other than top choices. This way I can avoid sending the score to my top choices is I dont do as well as id like, while still saving money.

I would focus on learning something like C or Java. I think that that combined with R allows you to accomplish most of what you need to.

I would sign up for real analysis and abstact algebra at a local university, if possible. If you can get As in both of those classes and a strong math subject test then I think that you would definitely be qualified for math PhD programs.

THIS is exactly what I wanted to say. I havent applied yet (next season) but have been working on narrowing down my list. There are about 15-20 professors who are well known in my field and I could see myself working with. From here, I will narrow my list by location (to places where my fiance can find good jobs in his area). I am actually really hoping to get asked this actually because it will prove how well I know my field and that im not just after prestigous schools. All of these professors are connected to one another and seeing all of their schools names on the list will show that I am applying to the schools with the best research fit. If you are realy applying for the right reasons and to the right departments then this question should be really helpful in proving that.

I plan on taking the biochem subject test in the fall and have aslo found that there isnt much info on the test. I have read that studying alberts and lehninger biochem is the best way to prepare for the tests.

I definitely think that it would hurt your chances and that you should get the letter from the professor. I work with a higher up graduate student most of the time but make a point to stop by the professors office with questions that the grad student cant easily answer ( like things Ive read in a paper that are probably a bit over his head too). Is it possible to do these sorts of things to get to know the professor? Do you guys not have group meetings or anything where the professor sees the work that you are doing? If there is no way at all for you to interact with the professor more then I would still ask him instead of the postdoc or see if the post doc will write it and both him adn the professor can sign it.

I wanted to add that if you do decide to retake, then I highly recommend magoosh. It is $100 but I got it last week and have been using it in combination with http://gre.tyrannosaurusprep.com/ to memorize vocab and I already notice a huge change in the number of questions that I am getting right. The GRE is not at all a measure of intelligence, it is only a measure of how good you are at the GRE. It is pretty easy to get in the heads of the creators and know what they are looking for but it just takes some practice. Either way, good luck!

I would retake. Your scores definitely aren't bad... they are mediocre. Since you are applying to top schools though then you should have top scores to be competitive.

Definitely check out bioinformatics. It is heavy in statistics, CS, and genomics.

I think that you would have a better chance at getting into their phd program that people who are not well known to their faculty. The biggest difference I think would be that you would be paying for hte first couple years.

Do you do research now? I was accepted to 2 of the 4 REUs that I applied to with a gpa around 3.3 and my mgpa was even lower. I had alot of previous research expereince and was accepted to the 2 schools whose research project most colsely matched what I was currently doing. Both programs are state schools with very good reputations in my field and ranked around top 30 at least.

I'm applying next year so right now I am just trying to figure it out where to apply. If i reject admission at a school though and then have to callaborate with that faculty member throughout my phd then I am sure that they will remember me. I wont reject it then never talk to them again. These professors work together so I would reject it then be regularly seeing the professor.

I really like Alberts personally for cell bio. I have also used lehinger and I did like, but had to look for additional descriptions online for some concepts.

I don't think that Yale wanting you will have any effect at all on harvard's decision. Grad acceptance has to do with research fit so It is completely likely that Yale would want you while equally or lower ranked schools would have no interest. If I were on the committee, then I would probably automatically regect any applicant who tried to manipulate their way into a program. I know you probably don't mean it in that way but I think that it could easily be perceived as you trying to create competition between programs instead of attending the school that would be the best research fit.

For those of you you arent keeping up with reading in your field, how have you nailed down a research topic?

No in that case I think it won't be a big deal. I think the letters are probably more important for phd to show a passion for research.

There's an awesome professor in Hong Kong in my sub field. Does anyone know general info on how their application process might differ or how a phd there would look when applying for post docs in the US

I do think it will hurt a bit. Was there no one at your achool doing interesting research? I find the best way to form good relationships with professors is to read their publications and ask questions about them. Then they can write letters about how interested you are in research which is what you want.

One idea would be to see if the PhD students will write a letter and have the professor sign it with them. I dont think this is too uncommon. Alternatively, I would just get another professor to write one. Preferably one who you have at leat spoken with about reserach outside of class so he can comment on your committment to it.

Have you spoken with your top choice to see whether that outlook seems positive?

I also think passion is necesary. Passion + perseverance will get you through IMO.