Flux2

I'm applying for BME and looking into top programs for both MS and PhD. I've taken the GRE once and I got a Q:165 V:161 W:3.5 I've already reported my scores. In this case, shall I still retake the GRE? I didn't know I could select which scores to report.

One of my professors haven't submitted LOR yet. And the deadline for one of my schools has already passed. What should I say in my email? He's never in his office so it's hard to directly talk to him.

Thank you for all your responses! I go to a top20 school (us ranking) I have submitted 2nd author paper recently and other than that I don't have any publications. I have good research experiences, but none of them are summer research internships. LOR: 1strong, 2 mediocre GRE: not taken The schools I'm applying to for bioengineering/Biomedical (masters) state that I could get RA/TA but I have to arrange them myself. Is it still unlikely to receive any assistants regardless of what is explicitly stated? But I am applying to some phd progams.

I believe I do not have the qualifications for a strong PhD program so I'm applying to masters. (due to gpa 3.5) I've contacted one of the professors I'm interested in and I received a response saying that I'm a very good fit in their lab but they will be full next year. And the professor suggested me some other professors that are relevant to my research interests but none of them were associated with the school I'm applying to. Will this mean that if I apply regardless of the response, I'll get rejected? I do have another professor interested in but haven't received a response back.

Sorry I don't quite understand. Can specify in a little more detail? So if i don't get into a school that I've mentioned then do I have to reapply with a different research proposal? And say that I wrote a proposal for school A but decided to go to school B (assuming I got accepted to both) then how does things work?

Hi I'm a senior and applying for NSF this year. For the research plan, do we have to write it like a proposal with all the experimental methods, designs etc. or is it more long a deeper discussion on what kind of research I want to pursue in grad school. Another question is in the application we are only able to select one future (prospective) school so does that mean rejection from that school will mean cancellation of our fellowship also? Are there like a cutoff GPA? and are they serious towards GPA? Sorry for all these questions. Thanks!

I have a similar question. Can I ask for a LOR from a PI who doesn't know me and I worked for his lab for around 3months?

Hi, so I have a 2nd author manuscript submitted and it's under review and probably won't be published the time I apply for grad school. Will it still help me out for grad school? and how should I state this in my application?

So I'm currently a senior and planning to apply for grad school this year. My question is if I have done most of the course work for my second major but haven't officially added it just because I wasn't not sure whether I will be able to fulfill the requirements until I see the schedule for next spring, In this case shall I just add it anyways before I submit my application? Do adcom like to see the secondary major included? or is just the course work itself sufficient?

So for around 3~4 months I've experienced 2 different microfluidic labs just for my interest. I haven't necessarily conducted research enough to say that I've done something or able to receive a LOR because my primary intent was to just to see how research is like in an engineering lab. I've indeed done participated in a primary research lab for 2years but wasn't sure whether to include the experience I had for such a short period time in my SOP or resume.

So I'm debating on whether to ask LOR from my research advisor or the post doc who directly advises me for grad school. The post doc really likes me, knows me very well (knows my personalities, how much I'm willing to commit to research and all those miscellaneous stuff that can only be noticed via interaction everyday) so I'm pretty sure he can write a very competitive letter. But the problem is that he's a post doc and he's international so probably won't be able to write eloquently. My research advisor even if he consults with the post doc I'm not sure how strong the letter will be. There wasn't much interaction because I always discuss with the post doc. Shall I ask LOR from post doc? or research advisor? or both?

Hi, is the dual engineering degree masters program only if you apply through mechanical engineering? Or can I also apply through biomedical engineering application? And how competitive is it to get in BME or MechE at upenn. I couldn't find much information on their website.. thanks!

Is it a disadvantage to pursue in a different major in grad school? I've noticed that there are some researches where all different disciplines come together, and I was wondering if this is the case will it be just better to pursue the same major done in undergrad to become more professional with it. I'm interested in developing biomedical sensors and I'm currently pursuing in physics/biology as an undergrad degree but I've noticed that most of the relevant labs are associated with mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering. And I really wish that I could make the most out of my undergrad degree during grad school.. So does the major you pursue in grad school matter a lot?

Hi I'm interested in doing biology interfacial kind of stuff. A mix in what Hiroshi Ishi at MiT media lab is dong but with emphasis on biomedical aspects. Do you guys know any research or programs that are related to this? So far I have no luck..

I'm probably going to apply for bMe program and most of the programs that I'm thinking of doesn't require a biology GRE score. Is it still beneficial to take it? Or does it really not matter?

Thank you guys for your response! I decided to stay on my home institute hopefully everything turns out good.

Hi, I'm currently a junior and i'm in a dilemma on what to do. Today, my research adviosr asked me whether I would like to conduct a research project of my own during the summer. He said he will discuss about the specifics of the topic after I decide whether I'll stay full(3months) or just one month because an more advanced project will be given dependent on the time I could contribute. So I just know generally what the topic is about, and I'm quite interested. Yet, currently, I need one more person to write me a recommendation letter later for grad school, so I was actually planning to do research in a different institute. Not an intern or anything so I'm not sure what I could get out of it during the 3months, but I was going to continue on doing it the summer after this and until I apply for grad school so I can get a solid 3rd LOR. And again, I don't have a paper or anything so this offer is kind of enticing. I'm planning to apply to grad school after graduation which is Fall of 2015. So I was wondering what are things I should consider before I decide and what would you guys do if you were in a situation like me. Research+taking a course or research at a different institute? Thank you!

Because of the quotes around the word strong makes it feel like it and I mostly interacted with posdoc so just a little curious and skeptical on how he could have written a strong letter.

So i've asked one of my professors for REU LOR and I received an email saying that he submitted a "strong" letter. What do you guys think "strong" imply? I sense some negativity..

I'm planning to apply to Biomedical Engineering w/ mostly nano conc. or instrumental concentration so it's kind of hard to determine what to do..

Thanks everyone helped alot. I've submitted my application and hoping for the best. I've sent an email to one of the PI's (actually a postdoc that is working in the lab) but never received an response back. So i wasn't sure whether they seemed disturbed to have people contacting them which is one of the reason why I'm still debating whether to contact or not. Especially at a time after all the applications are submitted because it would like as if I've got no interest in their lab whatsoever and just doing it to get in.

Can you tell us your status?

Will it help if I contact some of the professors i'm interested in beforehand?

Hi, I'm applying to REU for this summer but I don't think I have a competitive GPA (~3.5). So I'm counting on my personal statement but i wasn't sure what to write and in what format I should write. Do you guys have any tips for getting into a REU position? Thanks!!

I noticed handful of people were taking a gap year before applying to graduate school. I was wondering what the pros/cons for this is. Thanks!