Molecular_Virology

Thanks for the support and advice, TakeruK.

This application season, I applied to 12 Ph.D. programs based entirely on research interest. From that list, I have four interviews, three of which are at lower ranked programs (each has resulted in an acceptance letter). The fourth program was my top choice and is very well received. After being passed over for interviews from every other 'top school' that I applied to, I don't feel as competitive. The interview with my top choice is coming up and I've started talking with people that are interviewing for the positions. Not only are their qualifications eclipsing mine, but several of them have been accepted to universities where I didn't even get an interview. I have prepared as well as I can for this interview, but I'm trying to not get my hopes up. It has been a long time since I wanted something this bad and I wouldn't want to fall short and attend a university that I don't have the same passion for. Each year, they admit around 5 people and interview 20 people. When interviews are requested, do applicants usually have an equal opportunity or do committees typically have a pre-conceived notion of admit preference? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone has had success (or has a wild idea) with finding out the post-interview acceptance rate of a university, I am very interested.

Ion, Was that interaction with students at GPP/JHU interview?

Hi everyone, I will be interviewing next month for the Graduate Partnership Program and I am hoping that someone has experience with the interview process and potentially the program. There are a few questions below, but I am completely open to general advice as well. How many people interviewed? From this set, what do you estimate the post-interview acceptance rate is? What questions were you asked? What did you like about the experience? Were other candidates friendly or was it a competitive atmosphere? How has your experience differed in this program, as opposed to other graduate students? Thank you for your time.

Hey everyone! I have applied to a fair number of schools for admission in fall 2014. Although my top choice has offered me an interview, I can't help but feel a bit let down by the slew of rejections (no interview offered [i called/emailed admins]) from the 'name brand universities' that I applied to as reach schools. Is this where the phenomenon known as impostor syndrome starts? Any similar experiences or advice?

Unfortunately, it looks like there was a post for immuno. We might be waitlisted/rejected (I'm applying to the same programs).

Right. I am interested in the synthetic biology department there. Considering that interviews were sent out in January during previous years and in December this year, I was questioning if there was a change. (similar story with Yale University).

Hey everyone, I noticed that 'results posts' for interviews are being sent out in mid-December instead of mid-January (as they have been in previous years). This may seem trivial, but seeing as many of the programs that I am interested in have not contacted me, this causes me to freak the fuck out inspired me to probe deeper. So, what do you think is happening? Are more people on gradcafe? Are schools shifting the interview notices? Did I waste $2,000 on applications? Any thoughts or conspiracy theories are appreciated. Cheers.

Thanks for the post! I am applying to similar programs that have an emphasis in drug delivery. Unfortunately, I have only received one interview so far and it was from a university that I have been in contact with for about a year (it was for recruitment). Like you, I have seen some posts from programs/universities that I have applied to. What I am curious about is the lack of consistency between this year and previous years. Meaning, why are people getting interview requests in December, when in previous years they have been sent out in January? Any ideas/advice are appreciated. Good luck everyone. I hope to have you as colleagues someday. Cheers.

I have worked on applications for over a year. From the first through that "I can actually do this" to finding a professor to hitting the submit button. These are just applications, but they have consumed nearly every minute of my time for so long. It's almost like being in a sh*tstorm that suddenly subsides. So, now what? It will take at least two months to find out if we have interviews. After two more months, for better or worse, that part of our lives will end and hopefully another begins. As you continue through the application process, I want to wish all of you good luck in your applications and interviews. Respectfully, CR