Octopus28

I'm so excited to accept my offer at Nevada! Hopefully my stats will help someone in the future who is hesitant about applying because of low grades. 
 
Undergrad Institution: Community College transfer to State School
Major(s): Molecular Biology
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major (undergrad): 2.60/4.0
GPA in Graduate level courses: 3.70/4.0 (MS program at a small state university; will not finish degree)
Overall GPA: 3.30/4.0
Position in Class: Average
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores (revised version):
Q: 167
V: 155
W: 3.0

Research Experience: ~2.5 years of research during undergrad in 2 different labs. 2 poster presentation by the time of application. 
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Best poster voted by attendees. 
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years of work experience as a research associate for a small biotech company.
 
--Results --
 
Rejections :
Cornell University - BBS
OHSU - PBMC
Tufts University - Biotechnology Engineering
Portland State University - Biology
 
Interviews:
City University of New York - Biology (waitlisted)   Acceptances:
University of Nevada, Reno - Molecular Biosciences
 
I knew coming out of undergrad it was a long shot at a PhD anywhere. I took the time off to work in industry as well as take a courses for a Masters in Biotech. I definitely could have worked more on bettering my GRE scores, because I took it on a whim. Regardless, I said it from the beginning and I still believe it; Nevada is the best fit for my research interested (regenerative medicine + immunology).

I hope my application profile might help future applicants! Good luck!
 
Undergrad Institution: Top 50 Private Research University
Major(s): Biology B.A.
Minor(s): Psychology, Political Science
GPA in Major (undergrad): 3.10 / 4.0
GPA in Graduate level courses: 3.85 / 4.0 (took a few grad level courses as an unmatriculated student)
Overall GPA: 3.48/4.0
Position in Class: Somewhere in the middle
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Scores (revised version):
Q: 155
V: 166
W: 4.5
Research Experience: DAAD-RISE summer fellowship , one semester undergrad, 3 years post-grad.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: DAAD-RISE Fellowship, Merit Scholarships
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years working as a lab tech after graduation
 
--Results --
 
Rejections :
Yale
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Weill Cornell
Duke University
UNC
Boston University
 
Interviews:
NYU Sackler (wait listed)
U Mass Medical School
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Northwestern Driskill Graduate Program
UNC Charlotte (declined)
 
Acceptances:
U Mass Medical School
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Northwestern Driskill Graduate Program
 
Advice:
- I would definitely recommend working as a lab tech after undergrad. I approached my work as though I were already a graduate student, and I benefited tremendously from the effort.
- Develop a method for reading journal articles. Just reading the abstract is not enough!
 
- Go to as many research seminars as possible, especially if you're unfamiliar with the topic. Don't worry about feeling out of place, faculty and students will be glad you're interested. Knowing what kind of questions interest researchers in various fields helped me in making conversation during grad school interviews, and it will help your research!
- Don't waste too much time on the GRE. I recommend using Magoosh to prepare.

I'm so excited to accept my offer at Nevada! Hopefully my stats will help someone in the future who is hesitant about applying because of low grades. 
 
Undergrad Institution: Community College transfer to State School
Major(s): Molecular Biology
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major (undergrad): 2.60/4.0
GPA in Graduate level courses: 3.70/4.0 (MS program at a small state university; will not finish degree)
Overall GPA: 3.30/4.0
Position in Class: Average
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores (revised version):
Q: 167
V: 155
W: 3.0

Research Experience: ~2.5 years of research during undergrad in 2 different labs. 2 poster presentation by the time of application. 
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Best poster voted by attendees. 
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years of work experience as a research associate for a small biotech company.
 
--Results --
 
Rejections :
Cornell University - BBS
OHSU - PBMC
Tufts University - Biotechnology Engineering
Portland State University - Biology
 
Interviews:
City University of New York - Biology (waitlisted)   Acceptances:
University of Nevada, Reno - Molecular Biosciences
 
I knew coming out of undergrad it was a long shot at a PhD anywhere. I took the time off to work in industry as well as take a courses for a Masters in Biotech. I definitely could have worked more on bettering my GRE scores, because I took it on a whim. Regardless, I said it from the beginning and I still believe it; Nevada is the best fit for my research interested (regenerative medicine + immunology).

^^^Congrats fellow underdog^^^

I'm so excited to accept my offer at Nevada! Hopefully my stats will help someone in the future who is hesitant about applying because of low grades. 
 
Undergrad Institution: Community College transfer to State School
Major(s): Molecular Biology
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major (undergrad): 2.60/4.0
GPA in Graduate level courses: 3.70/4.0 (MS program at a small state university; will not finish degree)
Overall GPA: 3.30/4.0
Position in Class: Average
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores (revised version):
Q: 167
V: 155
W: 3.0

Research Experience: ~2.5 years of research during undergrad in 2 different labs. 2 poster presentation by the time of application. 
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Best poster voted by attendees. 
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years of work experience as a research associate for a small biotech company.
 
--Results --
 
Rejections :
Cornell University - BBS
OHSU - PBMC
Tufts University - Biotechnology Engineering
Portland State University - Biology
 
Interviews:
City University of New York - Biology (waitlisted)   Acceptances:
University of Nevada, Reno - Molecular Biosciences
 
I knew coming out of undergrad it was a long shot at a PhD anywhere. I took the time off to work in industry as well as take a courses for a Masters in Biotech. I definitely could have worked more on bettering my GRE scores, because I took it on a whim. Regardless, I said it from the beginning and I still believe it; Nevada is the best fit for my research interested (regenerative medicine + immunology).

Just got done declining offers, I feel like I need to take a shower now.. 

So happy that this process is over and done with! I never expected it to be so stressful. I experienced all types of emotions throughout. I was already formulating a plan B at the end of December as I didn't receive my first interview invite until January. Phew, I'm so glad to have that stress behind me and to have been accepted to a couple of my top schools. I got so many great tips from this forum and it was always comforting knowing that I wasn't the only neurotic one going through this crazy process.
 
Duke, here I come!!!

Last decision is in! Thank goodness this process is finally over! I'm in a bit of shock that I will actually get a chance to choose what school I will be attending next fall. To anyone that has a low gpa ( mine was < 3.0), it is possible!

At this point, you need to know. I wouldn't write specifically hounding them for a decision, but it might be worthwhile to touch base with them to express interest or thanks or something. If they can't give you any information, you should proceed with the decision-making as if it's a rejection. You can always cross that bridge if the waitlist comes through. 

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I've applied to 5 schools thus far, all in-reach schools. Nervous for applying for my two (huge) reach schools! But I think I'm going to do it... Being denied is probably better than not knowing at all.

Hey virus guy,
I'd definitely considering re-taking the GREs especially for applications that are not due December 1st. You're credentials otherwise look great. I just know a few schools explicitly say "combined score of X minimum."