123hardasABC

General: developmental biology Specifically/career goals: prenatal and neonatal development

I'm currently applying to PhD programs...and I'm having the same problems I had when applying for my Masters -- low UG GPA and low GRE scores -- and one new one. Me in a snapshot: Undergraduate: UC Berkeley, BS Molecular Toxicology -- 2.85 GPA GRE: 155V/159Q/4W (67%/75%/56%) -- taken 9/20/2013 (unfortunately I couldn't find time to retake this between school and work) Graduate: (currently attending) Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, MPH -- 3.78 GPA so far Research/Volunteering: 1 year intern at LA BioMed (cardiology lab), 1 year volunteer for American Cancer Society (planning for Relay For Life), 6 months at a gastroenterology practice (questionable duties for someone who is not a nurse....), 6 months working for community health clinics via my Practicum/PEHSU; I also taught for a year but it's in an unrelated field (art/painting) School stuff: president of the Public Health Interest Group, on two committees within Student Council, Graduate Student Mentor LOR: course instructor from undergrad (good relations), current faculty advisor (great relations), and practicum advisor (great relations, mentor, and friend) Aaannd problem #2: So far I really only have 3 schools in mind: Washington University in St. Louis (applying to see if the universe is feeling charitable!), St. Louis University (top choice), and University of Missouri. See a pattern? I'll be done with my Masters this term and will be leaving New York at the beginning of December to return to MO. I want my PhD but I'm also at a point in my life where I can't uproot everything anymore. I know it sounds like a pansy thing to say, but moving to SF-Bay Area and NYC has really drained the living shit out of me. For me it's not just school, it's also where I'm going to be living for the next (supposedly) 5 years. If you guys have any low- to mid- tier Midwest schools to suggest, I'm all ears.

Damn, I could really use that money now for moving in... Anyway, has anyone emailed other students yet? I'm out of town at the moment without my computer, otherwise I would.

Also, does anyone know when we should be receiving the loan money?

If it's anything like my undergraduate, you apply for aid every year. So yeah, that number you see on your award letter....double it, plus interest is what you'll be paying back after graduation X___X I really hope you get the apartment! Because that means your apartment hunting ends soon! I fly in tomorrow and get see my potential place tomorrow night! (BTW, if anyone is in town next week....please PM me. I don't know anyone in NY).

Of course you can. That's why our packages are so generous.

I think they're just trying to get a tally on who shows up and who doesn't. Isn't the MPH orientation basically the first day of school though?

No problem! Also check your emails. Christine just sent us one and it includes a Google form about connecting with other students! Also, is anyone going to the schoolwide orientation? I can't make it but I'll be in NY starting next Wednesday for a week. I'd love it if someone explored the area with me!

A few months ago I emailed the housing department at Icahn. They weren't super helpful since there's no campus housing options for masters students (only MD and PhD) but this is the info I got from them: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RZbXZrVy0fdFNLcFctUWFNYm5KX3BkcGg0eTBEMFlsRmh3/edit?usp=sharing It's really not much, but maybe it'll help?

I'm in the group. Recently posted. It's kinda a small group though, so it's still difficult to connect with other students.

Very good! Thanks!

That leaves $23,100 for the year after tuition...or $1925/month. Hmmm... This should do nicely. Extra nice if I can find a part-time job somewhere.

Yesterday I got an email saying it will be in mid-July. Today (July 1) I got the award letter. It's a little frustrating how unorganized they are. But I kinda understand, it's a small, new program. I guess they have some kinks to work out. Does anyone know how much tuition actually is per credit? According to their website, last year's incoming class paid $900/credit, I don't know if this has gone up or not. Anyway, at 42 credits in the program, this totals around $37,800, right? Stafford should cover what I need nicely, in addition to my personal contributions. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with this. Seems reasonable, even for living in New York. Damn, guys. This is really happening. Moving out of California to New York.....

What? I just received an email saying that I will be getting my award letter in mid-July...now I'm kinda anxious.

Form is due August 15 for MPH. The MD and PhD programs start in August, so their things are due earlier than ours. Christine says to email each individual department if you want confirmation of any forms and documents. I gotta say, it's a little frustrating not getting feedback from the school.

Also! Is anyone going to the schoolwide orientation? I don't think I can make it and I'm wondering if anyone can fill me in on what I would be missing out

I found a place in Queens that I'm gonna sublet until I find something closer. Did anyone ever hear back from the school regarding financial aid? Or hell, any confirmation that the school received anything? I've sent everything in and didn't get a single reply.

I'm looking at a place in Queens right now. The commute is far but a family friend has connections with the property owner. As for finishing in a year, I don't think we can tell if it's possible without knowing what the course schedule is like. If you can fit all the required courses in a year's time, then yeah, why not?!

Same, except I never heard back. Odd..

I never heard back from UPenn. Like, not a single peep aside from the confirmation email regarding my application receipt. I wonder if I should contact them to get my application fee back or something.

Apparently there's gonna be a campus tour with this month's info session. I really wish I could go. I'm gonna be in New York the last week of July. Does anyone wanna meet up and explore the campus and the surrounding areas?

Ditto on that. I haven't heard back form anyone regarding financial aid yet.

Facebook won't let me create a group without adding members from my friends list, and I don't know anyone on my Facebook attending. I tried. If someone else is up to it, PM me for my Facebook I guess.

I guess I'm the only one who carries a copy of her vaccination records on her phone? For some immunizations, vaccination records aren't enough. You need titers to prove your immunity. I had to go to my PCP and get a bloodwork order. That was awful. I learned I don't take well to getting blood drawn. For me, everything is now complete. Just waiting for a response from financial aid. Oy.