knightrunner

Just found out yesterday one of my friends got two offers from WashU from the Developmental Biology. I found out through somebody else. I guess he would have told me until I got some good news myself.

Congrats ERR_Alpha!!! One of my friends is planning to go there, but as an undergrad for Fall 2014 too. Again congrats!!!

I remember getting an email from Northwestern IBIS to check your status March 2014 if you haven't heard from them before hand. I haven't heard of any interviews yet. I would love to go to that school if it is possible.

I'll be praying that you will pass your test this third time around. I'm not sure if this is allowed in your grad school, but maybe you can take a week or two vacation to cool your head before taking the test again. A good rest can do you wonders.

As an undergraduate I usually call my professors by there first name. Now if other people are around then I would refer to them as Dr.

Wow, I didn't know that depression considered a disability here in the states. I would have so benefited from this as an undergrad. I can't believe the nursing program I use to be in never suggested or offered this suggestion before. This will be useful for my younger brother.

Believe it or not I got an interview with KGI Tuesday for Masters. This may not be ideal, but now I got something to report to people instead of the declining letters I have been receiving.

I feel sorry for your tough decision and your 1st PI. Hopefully, your first PI will not take it personally and has a backbone. I would probably write a grand email saying how helpful they are and you wish all PI were like this.

Thanks for the responses. Yea, my PI is like a machine, because usually he writes many grants and prepare so many manuscripts. I know for the genetic side it might be a easier to get research done quicker, but I really don't know the norm. I'll probably have to read the M-index more. I'm glad that some people are considered in the top of the field with about 15 publications.

I do think it is very possible if you do well in your Bio GRE scores. Keep in mind it is a huge jump from psychology to population genetics. If I were you I would sit in an evolution and population genetic classes to see if you are truly interested in the topic and read several science journals on the topic. Who knows maybe you might be interested in how the brain involves or something? Unfortunately, some schools might turn you down just for having the lack of biology background. I remember getting turned down simply for not doing strong research on molecular biology

If my list of rejections keep up I'll just assume this was a doomed cycle for me. WUSTL was one of my favorite schools and I got rejected from them too. It seems like they had a nice campus and everything, but now that is off my future. Irvine is a really good school too or almost any of the UC. I'm sorry for your rejection. My Villain Mindset: Someday, the graduate schools that rejected me will regret not having this worldwide all-star intellectual.

I am currently doing a post-bac right now. I'm not sure what is a Mediocre GPA, but mine is 3.35. I would say it is a useful time period to actually experience what full-time research is all about, and to figure out what knowledge you gain as an undergraduate. I can say that I am not as naive as I was before when coming out as an undergrad. Plus, I know what field of biology and what approaches to biology I want to take in the future. Unfortunately, I didn't not get a PhD interview in this cycle, so I don't really think it is as helpful when you have other people with just the same amount of experience or even better. If I were in your shoes you don't necessarily need post-bac experience, but any type of scientific experience that will help build and grow you skill and knowledge set. I do have to admit it was awesome introducing myself as a postbac to undergrad and professors. Undergrads will look at you as there model while professors would see you as somebody with experience during those national conferences like SACNAS.

I can't believe I just got rejected by Purdue University today. I just don't know what to do anymore since I considered that one of my more safer schools.

This topic is mainly to ask questions or to tell stories about your PI or anything related. I was wondering how can someone determine if they have a popular PI in your field? My current PI I am working for published about 28 articles to journals like Nature, Nature Genetics, and Science in just the start of 2012. So I was wondering what would you consider a good number?

A master program may not be a bad idea. It can be a potential GPA booster assuming undergrad grades are below 3.0 and it would definitely be worth it if it is thesis based.

^^^ Like what the above post said, but for curiosity sake I heard more of ETH Zurich for Genetics. Either school is good, but I would choose the PI that you get along best with because they will determine your fate, especially with those 4 to 5 grueling years.

Apply to as many as you can. I applied to about 10 to 15 and I only got accepted to one. Let your professors know that you will be applying to this many REU for they can have an idea how many LOR they will write. If you don't have much research experience don't apply to the competitive ones yet since most of these programs expect research experience already like the Stanford and UC Berkeley.

Wright State University might be an idea.

Sweet, that is something to party about if that happens!!! I'll be looking forward to those drinks. I applied to the Vienna Biocenter in Austria. I guess I'll figure out which lab assuming I get picked.

This might sound dumb, but are most universities in Europe recognize by the US for there graduate program?

Yes, I'm hoping to be that third round of interviews. There is still hope.

Sorry, I worded that badly. I am just applying for a research internship program this summer just to get more international research experience in the Vienna Biocenter. I'm looking for fully funded programs in the US, but who knows they might offer something interesting. I only know they offer PhD programs.

Johndg2, You should totally try to get into Europe by contacting PI. I am trying to get a summer internship in Austria for research by contacting one of the assistant directors. I'm hoping to hear by the end of Feb. so currently I am obsessing in finding funded master programs.

Congrats to the top ten posters

I haven't been here for a few days, but I just got my official rejection from UCSD