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neverdecaf

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Posts posted by neverdecaf

    Chances for a Strong Virology or Immunology Program?

    in Biology

    Posted

    I think it would be helpful to know what locations you are considering as well. It might be a good strategy to apply to areas where there are multiple schools (Massachusetts, Research Triangle in NC, New York, etc). That way there are different tiers of schools so it's likely she'll get in somewhere. Her experience seems impressive, but why are you posting for her? It might help for her to discuss her own application..

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    I kind of wonder if they do it on purpose. It ensures that those attended the interview show a real interest in the program. 

     

     

    Ugh! I'm in the same situation, I'm so disappointed that some of my more competitive programs are only having 1 weekend and are not doing Skype interviews. I really hadn't expected this to happen  :unsure:

     

     

    3 highly competitive programs have offered me the same weekend… I never thought that I would be in a position where I would have to decline interviews! It's such a pain that so many (competitive, especially!) programs do not have alternate weekends. I wish there could be some coordination between them, as if someone is invited to interview at one competitive program, it is not unlikely that another competitive program with the same weekend would take an interest in them as well.

    I really wish they would have coordinated better too! Or at least be more receptive to independent or skype interviews. It crossed my mind that they might not coordinate because at least the people who show up will be really interested, but this has resulted in me not being able to attend interviews I'm really interested in! I was hoping to use interviews as a tool to make decisions, but now we have to decide our preferences before we even interview!

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    I kind of wonder how you plan to do such. Do the days actually overlap or are they just close? Because every interview I went to was an all-day affair. I'm assuming with the dates you have listed that they expect you to arrive on the 5th, interview with professors on the 6th, and then have a fun event on the 7th. It can be possible to skip the fun event, but you absolutely need to be there during the time when you interview professors to have a shot.

    They are the same days and trying to fit both in (while obviously being there for the actual interviews) might be tough, but I could maybe suggest extending the stay or coming early to accommodate UNC. This would only be if UNC can't provide another weekend and it's kind of a last resort. I'll see what UNC suggests!

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Does anyone have input on doing two interviews in similar areas on the same weekend? I was offered an interview for Duke Feb 5-7 and since I already had a conflict with UNC, they offered me the same weekend as a second option. Since they're in similar areas, I thought it might be possible to do both during the same weekend. Thanks!!

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Interview at Harvard Immunology!!! I can't believe it. I have a scheduling conflict though and I'm not sure how to handle it.

    I'm in the same boat...I'm going to try to reschedule my other one as politely as possible. I had to do that once already and the school was really accommodating. Congrats and I hope I'll see you there!

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Ya I've gotten those email's as well, just got one about 10 minutes ago actually. I don't think they've actually started looking at the home group (Immunity and Microbial Pathogenesis) yet. Also I've seen two interviews for UNC BBSP. I know a lot of people on here applied there but I haven't seen anyone claim the interview.

    I posted about getting an invite to UNC BBSP on December 5th, but I didn't post it on results. It looks like they're sending them pretty gradually!

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Kind of on the same topic, I've been wondering if a 161 quantitative score is acceptable for top 10 schools. I've seen people get in with lower, just wondering if anyone has any input for me. I appreciate it! (Also to ivey...I used free magoosh online flashcards to study for the GRE and found them really useful if you decide to retake. Good luck!)

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted

    Agreed, I would actually apply to more top tier schools (Harvard, UCSF, U of Washington) if they fit your interests.

    I was looking into top tier schools but wasn't sure I was competitive enough, so that definitely gives me confidence!

     

    You are highly competitive.

    Thank you both, that makes me feel better! 

    2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

    in Biology

    Posted · Edited by neverdecaf

    Undergrad Institution: Large state school
    Major(s): Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology
    Minor(s): Medical Anthropology
    GPA in Major: 3.897
    Overall GPA: 3.86 in both
    Position in Class: Somewhere within top 10%
    Type of Student: Domestic female

    GRE Scores (revised):
    Q: 161 (~80%)
    V: 166 (~96%)
    W: Don't have the score yet, but I'll update
    B: N/A

    Research Experience:

    4 years of cancer research in high school, including understanding the role of a specific gene in the growth of lung cancer (siRNA, Western Blot, RT-PCR, assays, etc.)

    1 semester at cancer research institute developing a novel early detection test (creating scFv library, cell culture, fluorescent microscopy)

    Over 2 years in biomedical sciences lab at university- projects ranging from infectious disease to toxicology (anaerobic bacterial techniques, assays, growth studies, drug screening, cell culture). One paper is in progress, but probably won't be submitted until after application deadline (my mentor said he would specify this in my rec letter) but I have presented a poster on the research. 

    Conducted a small independent project as Quantitative biological methods TA to reduce the time needed for an MTT assay so it could fit into a lab class period

     

    Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Cancer research scholarship, 4th place International BioGENEius, university merit scholarship, honors college student, selected for research fellowship at my university

    Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Quantitative biological methods TA for 2 semesters, high school science research project mentor, volunteer at program for high school students interested in science

    Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: ?

    Special Bonus Points: 

    Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: My three recommendation letters are all really strong. Two come from the professors I've done or do research with and the other is from the professor I TA for who I also had as a professor for two classes.

    Applying to Where:

    Immunology Programs

    Still adding schools to the list so I'll update accordingly:

    University of Virginia

    University of Colorado Denver

    University of Pennsylvania

    Yale University

    Penn State

    University of Massachusetts Worcester

    University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

    Johns Hopkins University

    University of Florida

     

    I guess I'm not really sure where I fall as an applicant and would like some input from people who know have already been through the process. I'm trying to add a realistic school to the list for every top school I apply to.

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