genotype

I totally need a pick me up today, as I'm only applying to one program and the wait is killing me. Here goes... -Good Biology subject test score -- 97th percentile (880) -Decent GREs (700V 750Q 5.5AW) -Decent GPA from Ivy League school (3.5) -Two publications and several conference abstracts -M.A. in Biology at same institution -LORs from three professors at the same school where I'm applying, plus excellent LOR from undergrad mentor -Positive feedback from two profs in the program -Maturity as compared to when I was first in a doctoral program (I prefer this to saying "old") We'll see what happens; if nothing else, this made me feel better for today!

In terms of the ending, I would suggest something like, "I am curious whether you anticipate adding any graduate students to your lab/group in the near future. If so, I would very much like to start a dialogue about your research and anticipated future projects. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, X" Of course, I am coming from a science background, so you might have to change the wording a little bit if you're going into a different field.

I would say that if you really feel that you made a bad impression, perhaps you can send her an e-mail and just let her know that you're excited about applying to the program, appreciate her taking the time to speak with you, and that you apologize if you sounded nervous on the phone. I think that she would understand how much this admissions process means to you and that it can potentially make you nervous. It probably didn't go nearly as badly as you think it did, I would relax and send a short e-mail to the potential advisor if you think it's necessary.

I know it's done all the time when two PhDs apply for a job at the same school -- I don't see why you couldn't mention it. Also, if the university really wants you, they would probably appreciate hearing about this from you. I would agree that it wouldn't be fair to expect your fiance's department to move review dates earlier for her, but I think universities understand that people have life circumstances that should be considered. I don't think it would help her get in if she's not otherwise qualified, so I don't see an ethical issue here. Best of luck to both of you -- I realize that this must be a stressful time as you wait to hear back.

I basically introduced myself, attached my CV, and shared that I was interested in his research. I did this for four people; three of them responded, one didn't. If you don't hear back from one person, I wouldn't be discouraged. The others all responded positively.

I don't think it's too late at all. In fact, any professors you speak with may be able to take a look at your application and offer you some useful feedback. This is what happened to me recently -- so I would certainly give it a try.

Congrats! That's got to be a good feeling.

Thanks -- that's what I was hoping. Congrats on your Harvard acceptance!!!

I am definitely much more anxious about not getting in. Getting in would be a life changing experience for me, in a good way. Not getting in would make things much more complicated, because I would have to possibly uproot my family to attend another school next year. I am lucky enough to have a great program close by, and I'm really hoping they'll take me.

I'm glad it was the positive half that was true . Congrats on your interview!

I am just curious when most of your application deadlines were. It seems that many people are already hearing back about interviews/admissions. I only applied to one school this year and the deadline was on the 15th of this month; have any of your heard back from schools with that deadline yet?

I had a really good experience with the REA books for both the general and subject tests. I was becoming frustrated while I was preparing, because the material did have a number of spelling errors, and the practice exams were giving me lower scores than I would have liked. I ended up doing much better on the actual test, though, and I believe that the REA materials are actually more challenging than what you'll see on the exam. I would rather overprepare and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around. Also, FYI I have been told by a professor with a lot of experience that adcoms will look to make sure your quant score is in the 700's, but beyond that it doesn't really matter. He said that many students get 800's, but that doesn't necessarily imply that they will be more successful in grad school. I think you may be better off with a decent verbal score and a somewhat lower quant, than a low verbal and perfect quant. And this info came from someone in the sciences.

I am wondering if a high score on a GRE subject test can actually make a difference to an ad com. I have been out of school for several years working in a different field but have always intended to return to grad school in science. I am worried that ad coms will be skeptical because I haven't been immersed in science for a long time. Do you think a good subject test score could actually help convince them that I do know the material? I have kept up on it while I have been out of school, which I am really grateful for now that I had to retake the GRE. I would appreciate any opinions you all may have on this topic.

I wouldn't be too discouraged. I am applying to Ph.D. programs now as a US Citizen, but was previously in a doctoral program as a foreign student. I left with an M.A. for personal, non-academic reasons, that's why I'm applying at this point. Last time, I was accepted at most of the programs I applied to. The only difficulty that I had was the fact that I could not work part time once in grad school (due to my status), and this, combined with a rather low stipend (even by grad school standards) and high cost of living area, made it hard to pay for basic expenses. I also was not eligible to take out student loans.

I am not applying because of the recession, but am worried I may run into skepticism because of my timing. I work in finance, and even though my job is secure (or as secure as a job can be), I don't want to be seen as a frivolous applicant who fears a layoff and is thus looking at grad school. I would be applying at this time regardless of the state of the economy, and will be taking a significant pay cut if I get into grad school, so it irks me if people think I'm not 100% serious. I fully understand that a PhD is a serious commitment both in time, energy, and loss of possible income, and I just hope this came across in my application.

I am curious to hear your thoughts/experiences regarding how often schools will interview applicants after they have basically already made admissions decisions? The first time around, when I was in graduate school, I was accepted right after the interview (as in, before I was even on my way home). Due to the expense of flying candidates in for interviews, do you think that it is mostly used as a check to make sure that admits are not psycho/that they find it to be a good fit? Or, does it really just depend on the program?

I have two kids, many pets, and a full time job. Luckily these things are keeping me (somewhat) from obsessing over this process. I also knit and go to the gym, which helps me relax.

Hi everyone, I am applying to a PhD program to start in Fall 2010. I have been enrolled in a doctoral program before (about 10 years ago) but had to leave with an M.A. due to personal and financial (not academic) reasons. In the meantime I got married and had two kids. I am currently working full time with a long commute, and I certainly do not anticipate any sort of reduction in hours in graduate school. My question to those of you who are in a similar position is, how do you personally manage your time? How much freedom do you have regarding things like picking your kids up from school, taking some time off during school vacations, etc. I am thinking along the lines of taking a bit of time in the afternoon to stay with the kids after school, and then returning to the lab once my husband gets home (not putting in less time overall). I am very motivated to do well this time around and just want to have realistic expectations. I realize that it may very well have to be 10 hour days in the lab with very little family time. Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

I would be 32. I took some time to start a family before applying.

I wouldn't worry too much. I was an international applicant when I applied to grad school after college, and didn't have any trouble. I wish you the best of luck with your applications!

I see you went to yale - how did you like it there? and great results on GRE Biology btw!

Hello Everyone! I am new here; this seems to be a wonderful resource for those of us applying to grad school (and beyond). I was in a doctoral program previously but had to leave for personal (non-academic) reasons. I am applying to the Stony Brook Genetics Program as my only choice, due to a variety of reasons. My stats are as follows: GPA: 3.5 (Yale), B.S. Biology (Intensive Research Track) GRE: 700 (V), 750 (Q), 5.5 (W) GRE Biology: 880 (97th percentile) I have an MA from Stony Brook as well, GPA 3.6. I have 3+ years of research experience as part of my M.A. and my undergraduate studies. I have recs from an undergrad mentor in the field I am looking to go into, as well as from three professors from the department I used to be in at Stony Brook. I have two publications as well as a variety of presentations etc. and a history of grant funding. I am a nontraditional student, having been in the workforce in an unrelated field for the past 6 years. I financially supported my husband while he was completing his PhD, and am now looking to return to grad study. I would love to hear any feedback and am looking forward to going through this journey with you all.