kimmibeans

Unless you are a total asshole in person, you should have your pick of schools. Your profile makes me incredibly jealous!

It depends on the school. The first year when I was doing coursework and rotations I got scheduled breaks and vacations. I think I got 2 weeks in winter, 1 week in spring, and then major secular and Jewish holidays (my school is affiliated with a Jewish University). After I declared though it's pretty much like a full time job. I get at least 2 weeks vacation (some PIs allow for more depending on circumstances and how productive you are), but I have to ask for permission to take them. On the plus side, I can take them whenever I want.

I just use google calendar. It sends notifications to my phone and I can veiw it from anywhere  

I nearly got into a major accident today (took a turn too fast onto an exit ramp and spun out, ending up in the middle of the divider). I'm okay and somehow managed to gain enough control of the car to not hit anything while I was spinning, so the car is okay too. It was just terrifying and I'm a bit shaken up and kind of dizzy, which is odd considering this happened about 3 hours ago. On the bright side, I may have what it takes to be a professional stunt driver if this whole PhD thing doesn't work out.

You're aren't going to like this, but a gap year will be best for your application. An extra year of 40 hour weeks will really let you mature as a scientist. Right now you barely if it all are meeting what adcoms consider to be "required" amounts of research and it will show if you get to the interview stage. I'm not sure what your intentions are after grad school, but you are potentially leaving prestigious schools on the table because you want to rush into grad school. In all honesty, a gap year isn't wasted time when you are talking 4-5+ years of graduate school plus postdocs. Just my 2 cents. 

Undergrads are so whiny!!  You are adults.  You are in charge of you.  And part of that is being at class when you should be, and staying the whole time.  If you can't do that, you are responsible for the consequences.  Get over it.

A lunch or dinner should not be turned into question and answer session about the post doc's research and presentation. While it is okay to mention it in the passing, avoid annoying the guest by asking to many subject related questions. Use the time to know about the likes and dislikes of the person, and engage in discussions on lighter topics like books, art etc. 

Thanks for all the comments. 
Just to update: I found a lab to rotate in and it is going great!! It's a lot of awesome signaling heavy stuff which is exactly what I wanted! 

I would talk to your PI about this, because it is a problem. Don't go in shouting "He stole my research!" But do explain that your mentor is not doing his job. It sounds like your mentor is not doing any actual mentoring, so it is best to talk to your PI and explain the situation, especially that he is doing the aims of your research project without you and expects you to come up with a new project because he did half of yours. The PI will probably then either talk to him or give you a different mentor if possible. To make a long story short, this is a serious problem and you NEED to tell your PI before it is too late for you to fix anything.

Hello everyone,
I hope You're well. I recently graduated Master's degree in Microbiology & Immunology, and now, I'm preparing for applying to PhD programs in related fields. I remember I heard in the past that the admission department for life sciences fields focus more on the math section score for the GRE exam, especially for students with English as a second language. I'd like to ask if someone have an idea about this, so I can focus more on the math section during my preparation for the GRE? Thank you in advance.

I would talk to your PI about this, because it is a problem. Don't go in shouting "He stole my research!" But do explain that your mentor is not doing his job. It sounds like your mentor is not doing any actual mentoring, so it is best to talk to your PI and explain the situation, especially that he is doing the aims of your research project without you and expects you to come up with a new project because he did half of yours. The PI will probably then either talk to him or give you a different mentor if possible. To make a long story short, this is a serious problem and you NEED to tell your PI before it is too late for you to fix anything.

I would talk to your PI about this, because it is a problem. Don't go in shouting "He stole my research!" But do explain that your mentor is not doing his job. It sounds like your mentor is not doing any actual mentoring, so it is best to talk to your PI and explain the situation, especially that he is doing the aims of your research project without you and expects you to come up with a new project because he did half of yours. The PI will probably then either talk to him or give you a different mentor if possible. To make a long story short, this is a serious problem and you NEED to tell your PI before it is too late for you to fix anything.

I would talk to your PI about this, because it is a problem. Don't go in shouting "He stole my research!" But do explain that your mentor is not doing his job. It sounds like your mentor is not doing any actual mentoring, so it is best to talk to your PI and explain the situation, especially that he is doing the aims of your research project without you and expects you to come up with a new project because he did half of yours. The PI will probably then either talk to him or give you a different mentor if possible. To make a long story short, this is a serious problem and you NEED to tell your PI before it is too late for you to fix anything.

In the United States, top schools (or any) won't allow you to do two Ph.D's simultaneously. A single Ph.D is a very rigorous degree, so it will consume all of your time. Not only this, but lab work is incredibly time consuming and it'll be impossible for you to work (or successfully do so) in two labs at the same time. Also, the requirements for Math and Biology Ph.D programs far exceed just meeting the prerequisites. Even if possible, you will need to have extensive research experience in both fields, or in a field that's applicable to both (biophysics, biomathematics). Adcoms like to see people that have vision and have a general idea of what they want to do in their lives. If your goals are all over the place, you will most likely be rejected. If you want to conduct AGING research, I'd suggest going for the Ph.D in biology since it'll align better with your desire to help your "parents live longer". However, I'd have to say that most research that is conducted does not lead to a breakthrough that'll result in solving an immediate issue, meaning you will most likely not be able to get rid of the problem. However, you could be able to consider a very important puzzle piece to the general problem. Currently, it seems like you are conflicted about what you want to do. Do you honestly just want a career that gives you more immediate financial security, or do you want to follow your passion and choose something that'll make you happy? I'd suggest you think about this more. 

In my department, we generally keep the bulk of the conversation at lunch and dinner away from the visitor's research. This is because we often also have 30 minute time slots for one-on-one or small group meetings, which are generally all about research. And, usually the visitor has back to back meetings scheduled during the entire day where all they will talk about is their research.
I'm not saying that we can never talk about research at a lunch/dinner, but generally the meal time is supposed to be a break time for the visitor and also a chance for grad students to learn some other insight. So, we would often ask about things like "How did you decide that you want to be a postdoc?", "Do you have any tips for the job market in field X?", "What is it like to live in [their city/their university/etc]". Or maybe get advice on fellowships for grad students, etc. I'd say that the meals, in my department, are more for us to know the visitor as a person rather than as a researcher.
Additional tip: I find that one of the easiest ways to open a conversation is to ask about their travel to your city and like kimmibeans suggested, ask them "is it your first time in [city]?" etc. Usually once the conversation starts to flow, it will naturally find interesting topics

I don't think you need that much research experience for a Master's program, so I think you will be okay for getting into a Master's program, but I don't know about UMass Boston specifically (mostly because I know nothing about this school). Diversify your application and apply to a few more schools, and I think you may stand a chance. Also, when looking at stats it is more important to look at what type of applicants the accept rather than how many. They should have the class profile or FAQ with relevant information up on their website, so I recommend taking a look at that seeing what the average GPA is and how many of their accepted applicants have sustained research experience. That will give you a much better estimation of your chances than acceptance rates alone.
Edited To Add:
So I looked at the UMass Biology MS requirements, and it sounds like they don't expect you to have any research experience, just a really strong academic background. You can also contact the department and ask for the information I mentioned.

Your GPA is definitely low for a PhD program. Not insurmountable, but really low, which means you have to really work hard to overcome it. An honors thesis definitely helps, but I don't think that alone will be enough, even with a high GRE. There are a few ways you can overcome this:
1) Do the Master's program and to prove you have an advanced understanding of biology
2) Work a few years as a tech doing research and taking classes
3) Do a post-bacc program designed to prepare you for research, such as PREP (Einstein, Columbia, and I think NYU and Mt. Sinai have programs like this). PREP is great because you get a stipend, work full time in a lab, take grad courses, and get free GRE prep and more personalized help for the application process. 
If you can show that you are able to think like a scientist, you will be fine. But it will be hard work.
As for the Columbia program, I honestly don't know. Is the $65k just tuition, or is that including room and board and fees?

Unless you have someone paying you to do that masters, do not under any circumstance do it. Waste of time and money IMO. Take two or so years off, work as a tech and take some post bacc courses. 

Your stats are good, but the fact that you don't have much  of a biology background will be an issue. I wouldn't try to apply this semester if I were you. I would take a year or two more of doing full time lab work and courses to compensate for your background. However, I am confident that with more experience you'll get in to some great programs.

Along these lines, don't be upset if you screw something up, that's how you learn. 

I'm a PhD student in BME now and I went into my undergrad thinking I'd major in BME and then go on to grad school. My biggest advice would be to NOT major in BME. I switched to a different engineering major after freshman year and I'm thankful I did. Not only will it make it easier to get research/internships during undergrad, but you'll actually have more useful skills once you hit grad school. Most of the BMEs I know wish they had done the same. If you can go to a school where, in addition to a regular major, you can take a minor or second major in BME, that is ideal. 

It also depends on what type of BME you want to do. Some of the bioengineering schools will include requirements (like taking thermo classes) that are aimed more at bioreactors/environmental science than medicine. 

Beyond that, pick the school with the best undergraduate research opportunities. That will matter more than the pedigree of the larger undergraduate institution when applying to grad school. I know people from mediocre regional institutions who got into Stanford because they were successful in research. None of those schools for undergrad would ever prevent you from getting a BME faculty position. People will mostly forget about your undergrad once you're in graduate school. 

Right on! Seriously, standardized tests are dumb and are better indicators of your socio-economic class than your ability to perform well in school.

Ok, confession time:  I am a certified professional accountant and I just filed an extension on my taxes.  I HATE taxes!!  Also, too much to do!   There is a little bit about my healthcare savings account that I have to sort out.  I'm a CPA, I should be able to figure it out in six months...

I never took it, but it was because of the advice from someone at Harvard... she told me it only helps you if you do extremely well otherwise an average (or lower) score can hurt you really badly.  And I just think that unless you have a serious issue with GPA or are changing fields (ie going from a psychology major to wet lab molecular biology research), don't waste the money.  It isn't worth it.
 
And I'd like to include my obligatory upset 20-something anti-establishment comment; THESE STUPID STANDARDIZED TESTS ARE JUST THERE TO EQUALIZE YOUR APPLICATION NOT ENHANCE IT.  MAN, IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY WITH ETS.
That being said, just make sure you do well on the general GRE... study for like 3 weeks then take it once and you should be fine.  Don't put more money into the hands of ETS!  They're just trying to own you! (I'm partially kidding but mostly unhappy that we still have to deal with this crap going into grad school.  I know, I know, it's there as kind of a check for your undergrad education.  But still.)

In off the waitlist at my #1 choice!  Accepted offer and walking around in a daze...not getting any work done today 
Congrats to everyone and keep up hope if you're waitlisted!!!