immuno555

Not odd at all. Often this is normal business etiquette, like if you had just had a professional interview. I even e-mailed those I interviewed with at the institution I decided on to tell them I was so excited to join their research community. It should only go in the positive direction if written professionally.

Undergrad Institution: The Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Biology GPA in Major: 2.8 Masters GPA: 3.9 (JHU Biotechnology Program with Thesis) GRE Quant: 160 GRE Verbal: 158 GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5 I've been in the immunogenetics field since June 2009. I've got 5 years of clinical lab experience and 4 years of research with a thesis (masters was part time for 2 years while working 40+ hours a week and taking call) . Additionally my thesis research has been presented at 3 national meetings ( American Heart Association, American Society for Histocompatability and Immunogenetics and Immunocor- Directors meeting) I lost some focus during undergrad but obviously have shown how serious I am about my academics now considering my performance in my masters program. I'm pretty sure my strong suite was my research background as well as focus on future goals. I was told by some I had a great SOP and interview well. Best of luck !

Undergrad Institution: top 15 US Biology GPA in Major:3.0 Overall GPA:2.8 Masters GPA: 3.9 (MS with Thesis) GRE Quant: 160 GRE Verbal: 158 GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5

I'd just like to say- Way to man up guys! We allllllllll had a rough ride. It won't get easier, but we made it. Don't forget the perservierence that got us all this far; we are gonna need it for sure. Gluck to all and hope to chat with you around.

Unless your primary program requires it, don't waste your time.

The school I've decided to attend was never on my "to apply to " list. My mother's company is headquartered in Nashville and she convinced me to apply since she was up for a corporate promotion. I've always been an east coast girl. Always will be, but Vanderbilt IGP is amazing. And due to her, I will be attending vanderbilt IGP. Sooooooo excited. It's almost like the universe said so. ....by the way, my mom declined the position before I accepted. I think my mom was my universal sign.

Hey guys, I'll be moving to Nashville in late July. We are looking at buying a house if any current residents can offer their input on neighborhoods? Looking forward to the IGP.

I'd recommend looking in the area of Fells Point, Mt. Vernon or Canton. A lot of times the city can be difficult to live in without roommates due to cost and security... I'd recommend living with someone in a small building. You also might want to look where the Circulator routes are as well as the JHMI shuttle. I went to JHU for undergrad and have lived in bmore for 8 years so if you have any questions let me know. I'd hate to admit it, but you may also want to google the crime map to see where break-ins/ robberies etc happen often.http://data.baltimoresun.com/bing-maps/homicides/

Here I come Vanderbilt IGP! So excited !

I interviewed and was accepted to Hershey. Speaking to some of my friends already in grad school, she advised against attending. Her words were "it would be a waste of your time." I think her opinion is based on rank, exposure and the quality of applicant pool. I thought everyone was welcoming and it seemed like a great program with all the amenities of being a Penn State student. It was my backup school and I have declined, but if it were my only choice, I think I would be in a tough place to decline and reapply next year.

Anyone else en route to Miami (FL)?

I'm heading out of Baltimore to Miami. American Airlines is delusional thinking Id be leaving, that's if I can even get to the airport. My flight is 11pm BWI . I took precautions and contacted the program admin (today) who I have been in contact with and let him know of possible complications and essentially I may not make it. He said they would make every effort to get me there another weekend, or even schedule another weekend that is off the interview schedule. ( downside to not making it there this weekend is all the awesome people I wanted to meet !)..... Good luck all this week

Yup. I'm trying to get out of Baltimore. Definitely not gonna happen. I already tried to rebook through the travel agent and all flights booked tomorrow. So my only hope is ......rain

I agree with MackF, it's really about you being able to talk about YOU! Use your intelligence to connect with them. Ask a question to sound like you care. But at this point can't forget it's not 100% and there is a little bit of selling you need to do. My hardest interview question was " you know we only accept 2 out of every 3 we interview, so why should I advocate the committee for you ?" ....let me tell you it's a tough question to be out on the spot, luckily I have an answer- because I care enough. Do you have enough to convince someone that you do ? But be prepared for these crazy ones! You need to answer right now questions.

I felt that even when the interviewer was just spouting off about their work, it was important to ask analytical questions. By doing so you are able to prove to them that your mind works at the capacity of work at their academic level. I had an interviewer say, "wow that's a really great question, I have no idea. I think I'm going to look into that. " I felt phenomenal. I think it's key not to let them get carried away. Interrupt them. Do it! But in an informative additive way. It certainly got me this far... Also when talking about your own work, don't forget to talk about when your experiments DIDN'T work. This is key in bioscience grad school. By the time we all have PhD's we will know 250+ ways how not to prove something. Gluck all !

Bostonbio would you mind to share your stats ? Give others what it takes to get an interview everywhere they apply .

I did talk to a current IGP student about the budget cuts. They started with janitorial staff and some support staff in departments. I asked him if he has any problems with "paper pushing" sorts of things and he said no. I highly doubt this is the only place that has had cuts in the last few years. But I guess you never know till you are there. As for the interview vibe, almost every person I interviewed with had funding, was in the process of receiving funding or was applying for more funding.....So if funding is a concern, I think Vanderbilt is currently the 9th highest recipient of NIH funding. They certainly didn't skimp on the interview weekend (private hotel room, wine and dined Friday night catered by one of Nashville's best restaurants and brunch Saturday, along with the normal full catered lunches). They even paid for my SO to be there (minus his travel expenses).

I believe they interview through all of March, I think.

Vanderbilt IGP acceptance!

I just did this last week and it worked WONDERS!

If I've learned anything this interview season, it's that...umbrella programs are more open to non-traditional student applicants and those that have shown progress during "time off". I've been out of undergrad for 5 years (making me slightly older than the average applicant I think) and have "uped" my CV tremendously over that timeframe including: national presentations, a master's degree with an outstanding GPA, master's thesis, a small book chapter, training on many different experimental platforms, great relationships with my LORs and clinical lab work. I would never have even been looked at a second time if I applied out of undergrad with no research experience and a poor GPA. Showing I was serious about my "time off" I think helped, however if you take time off and don't show improvement this could be looked upon less favorably.

Penn State Hershey acceptance! Excited to be going somewhere come fall.

I was given the option of 1/10, 1/24 or 1/31

Looking forward at a Vanderbilt IGP interview. Anyone have any idea how many they interview or a matriculation rate? Looks like their incoming class last year was mid 50's.

Nothing from Duke here yet.