rexzeppelin

Great Topic!! 1. Well, honestly I'm a little insecure that I haven't committed to a particular question yet. I've applied to a lot of umbrella programs to allow for some rotations to figure my interests out a little better. That said, there are definitely questions and topics that I'm interested in. Here's a couple: Exploring the ways that bacterial populations with identical genotypes can demonstrate phenotypic diversity through stochastic switching really intrigues me, since it challenges the clockwork view of biology where genes have a very specific expression A->B, and instead suggests a fuzzier reality where genes code for a 'cloud' of phenotypes, mediated by epigenetics, the environment, and randomness itself. Figuring out an in vitro protocol for efficient directed evolution of proteins is another question I think is really cool. If we could figure this out, you could essentially have an automated drug-design machine. Other advantages would be that you could design protocols for multi-parametric optimization and select against unwanted interactions/pH/temp/etc. In addition to these I have broad interests in exploring protein structure-function relationships and cell signaling cascades 2.) What do you think is the biggest challenge facing researchers today (i.e. open publication vs. journals like Nature; securing funding, lack of scientific literacy, etc.) I think the the journal pay-wall is a huge issue. How can we kindle the imaginations of the next generation of scientists if they can't learn about the research being done today? I can't say how frustrating it was trying to research potential PI's and programs and constantly running into dead ends trying to look up papers. If science continues to cloister itself inside these prestigious academic clearinghouses it risks calcifying itself and further separating itself from the public at large. In this country how can we hope to have strong government support for research if scientists don't make their case to the greater public for the value of the research they do? Currently it seems like the scientific community has let the ideologues on the right define science, and the recent headline showing declining Republican confidence in evolution should be an another alarm bell that we have to take action, or risk watching a slow, gradual decline of funding and research productivity.

Congratulations! makes the rest of the process less stressful I imagine

that's nice and laid back, I'll have to check them out. I've been listening to this band Moderat a lot this fall too, great pop music: https://soundcloud.com/nino-burduli/let-in-the-light-moderat

^ this is great. Do you listen to Bonobo perchance? Here's a mix he did for the Late Night Tales series. The full thing is on spotify https://soundcloud.com/latenighttales/lnt-bnb-album-mini-mix

This is awesome. And I highly doubt you're the only classical fan on this site

This time of year seems to induce unavoidable anxiety for many users of this site submitting applications, and then waiting by their F5 keys for either a bomb blast or a letter from heaven. For me listening to music is a good way to forget about it all for a few minutes and relax I thought it'd be cool to share a song you've been listening to a lot recently during the application process, to get a snapshot of GC's listening habits and maybe a little selfishly crowdsource some new music. I'll start: Song Paper Trails by Darkside Brief Description: The best word to describe this song would be: atmospheric, like a jazz club at the bottom of the ocean

I'm in the same boat you are. I highly doubt all the invites are out yet, but who knows.

I'm glad gradcafe is finally addressing the really hard-pressing issues that matter to me. Which departments should I be looking into for potential 'study partners'?

Right, yeah that's why I was hesitant to go ahead and book the weekends right now for the reasons you just mentioned. Someone in college confidential had suggested this book-then-cancel tack but I wanted a second opinion. I understand the considerable costs involved with interview weekends and I don't want to seem to be looking a gift horse in the mouth. I guess I'll schedule now and worry about resolving conflicts later, thanks for the advice

Working in a clinical lab right now for big pharma almost feels like being on an assembly line, there is absolutely zero tolerance for initiative or creativity on the part of the lab scientist since everything has to conform to rigorously standardized SOPs. We even have to read SOPs on how to read SOPs!!! I guess that's just what producing clinical data requires. I know this isn't representative of all industry research but it's definitely a stark contrast to the creative environment of the research I did as an undergrad. That said I agree with you Dirty that I'm glad I got to experience both sides before starting a PhD, as they are completely different animals. Oh and don't worry about an errant Orgo grade. I was concerned my C+ in orgo would shut doors for me (and it still might), but it hasn't affected me so far.

thanks Loric, I'll get in touch and ask them when they need to hear back, if it's a couple business days like you say biotechie, then I'll go ahead and schedule it, otherwise I'll hold out and use some strateg-ery. Once scheduled, is it ever acceptable to cancel an interview if something comes up? (assuming of course you give plenty of notice)

Question to those currently attending: After receiving invitations is it acceptable to wait to schedule interview weekends to avoid making unnecessary conflicts? I'd like to wait until at least the first week of January to see where I hear back from, and then to finish scheduling my interview slate. Do programs commonly rescind invitations if they don't hear back within a week or two?

I have no clue, but I wouldn't worry too much since it seems they commonly send out invites in January.

Completely agree. I was signed up for the Biochem GRE, feeling pretty good about it, took a practice test and BOMBED IT (34th percentile). Realizing that a score like that would bring down my application chances like a ton of bricks I switched to the regular biology GRE via standby testing and scored much higher (93rd percentile). Their difficulty levels are way out of sync

Haha I would bet so, just heard from Minnesota MCSB!

I had planned to apply during my senior year (I graduated in 2012), but like several of you I was too busy to devote the time to researching PI's and programs and taking the GRE. After graduation I spent a year abroad teaching english, where I had plenty of time for both. I also really appreciated my gap year because it gave me a chance to reflect on why I wanted to get a PhD, instead of feeling like I was just following some accepted path straight from undergrad, and it really solidified my conviction that that's what I want. It was also awesome to do some traveling, learn a new language, and meet some amazing people. I'm back now applying for fall 2014, and found a job as a lab grunt in an industrial clinical lab, and I don't regret the time I've spent off. It seems like many people take a year off and do wildly different things, but they probably all value their experiences. Even if you have to work a shitty job for a few months, it will put your reasons for graduate study into sharp relief, and ultimately make you a better student.

Imagine where we all might be in 30 years, huddled around dimly lit tables in nameless departmental basements, snow piling up outside as night falls, slurping coffee while poring over stacks of applications for a fresh crop of students, laughing at bad essays and remarking to your colleagues about how you could never get in nowadays. Happy holidays guys!

Congrats!!! That's awesome, you must be one of the first to hear I think

See you there!

UPenn Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics invite today (1/23-25) via email applied 12/1

My great great (?) uncle was the first person to successfully shoot down a zeppelin in WWI (using hand-held bombs thrown from a biplane). His name was Rex. I like the story so I made it my name avatar is a pinch pot by potter Joyce Michaud, <love love love wood-fire ceramics

agreed. Whenever I've looked at the bioscience application thread on college confidential I get anxious, it seems more competitive than Gradcafe.