nutellarain

Ugh, I know. I've been waiting to hear from UCSF-BMS so I can schedule an interview at another school...I'm guessing it's a no if we don't hear anything tomorrow judging by last years invites.

I applied quite early (mid october) and just heard from them a few days ago. I applied to the Microbiology and Immunology training area. It was weird though, I just got an email telling me telling me to arrange travel. It seems other people got phone calls...ah well I'm showing up regardless!

Oh man, I just remembered another user mentioning that the UCSF BMS committee meeting was today. Time to obsessively check my email!

I've now gotten four emails from UCLA "updating" the status of my application (nothing is actually updated). Pretty sure they are trying to give me a heart attack.

UT Austin Microbiology invite today! Wooo, first one

Thanks! Just out of curiosity, did you interview more on the west coast or east? I'm only looking at west coast schools and hoping I can get away with dark jeans for the other days. Also, were there many women in heels? I'm already quite tall and don't enjoy towering over people at 6 ft+ in heels..

I know man, I'm 5'10! Everything is too short for me and most "modest" style dresses are still too small. Awesome, thanks for the tip! I'll try to order some blouses from them today. I guess I'll have to get some slacks as well. Do you think nicer boots would be ok? You would think I would learn how to dress nicely by this point! I've only ever worked in Seattle and SF (very casual cities, I could come to work in a neon onesie or sparkle pants and no one would bat an eye) and am just completely clueless.

FREAKING OUT GUYS. Why can't they just tell me right away if I got interviews? On a side note, I don't own any business casual clothes for interviewing...what are you fellow ladies going to wear?

Okay, finally done with all my applications! Now the waiting starts.... Undergrad Institution: Large Public University, Top 20 Biology Major(s): Biochemistry Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.62 Overall GPA: 3.65 Position in Class: No idea, most of my classes were curved to 2.5-2.8 avg., so I suppose near top Type of Student: Domestic female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q:162 (83%) V:165 (95%) W: 5.0 (93%) B: NOPE Research Experience: 1.5 years in undergrad with a senior thesis, cannot publish thesis as the lab took over my project after I left and are still working on it. 1.5 years as lab tech where I've worked on all sorts of projects, but just writing my first paper now. Will be presenting at a seminar in the spring Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Honors in biochemistry Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Research Associate Special Bonus Points: Banking on great recommendation letters, two from my PI's and one from a colleague. One of my PI's is part-time faculty at UC Berkeley and UCSF Applying to Where: UCSF - Biomedical Sciences Berkeley - MCB Stanford - Biosciences UCLA - Biosciences UT Austin - Microbiology UC San Diego - Biomedical Sciences UC Irvine - Infectious Disease

Okay, finally picked all my schools! Undergrad Institution: Large Public University, Top 20 Biology Major(s): Biochemistry Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.62 Overall GPA: 3.65 Position in Class: No idea, most of my classes were curved to 2.5-2.8 avg., so I suppose near top Type of Student: Domestic female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q:162 (83%) V:165 (95%) W: 5.0 (93%) B: NOPE Research Experience: 1.5 years in undergrad with a senior thesis, cannot publish thesis as the lab took over my project after I left and are still working on it. 1.5 years as lab tech where I've worked on all sorts of projects, but unlikely any publications until after application season. Will be presenting at a seminar in the spring - should I mention this. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Honors in biochemistry Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Research Associate Special Bonus Points: Banking on great recommendation letters, two from my PI's and one from a colleague. One of my PI's is part-time faculty at UC Berkeley and UCSF Applying to Where: UCSF - Biomedical Sciences Berkeley - MCB Stanford - Biosciences UCLA - Biosciences UT Austin - Microbiology UC San Diego - Biomedical Sciences UC Irvine - Infectious Disease I need to begin writing my SOP and emailing professors. Any suggestions for emailing professors? I was thinking I would just briefly mention what field I worked in and ask if they had any openings for a graduate student.

Undergrad Institution: Large Public University, Top 20 Biology Major(s): Biochemistry Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.62 Overall GPA: 3.65 Position in Class: No idea, most of my classes were curved to 2.5-2.8 avg., so I suppose near top Type of Student: Domestic female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q:162 V:165 W: Not in yet B: NOPE Research Experience: 1.5 years in undergrad with a senior thesis, cannot publish thesis as the lab took over my project after I left and are still working on it. 1.5 years as lab tech where I've worked on all sorts of projects, but unlikely any publications until after application season. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Honors in biochemistry Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Research Associate Special Bonus Points: Banking on great recommendation letters, two from my PI's and one from a colleague. One of my PI's is part-time faculty at UC Berkeley and UCSF Applying to Where: I could use some help with this! Started making my list, but I need to narrow it down. I know it is rather California-heavy, but I would like to stay in the state if possible. UCSF - Biomedical Sciences Berkeley - MCB Berkeley - Infectious Disease and Immunity Stanford - Biosciences Columbia - Integrated Biomedical UCLA - Biosciences UT Austin - Microbiology UC San Diego - Biomedical Sciences Georgetown - Microbiology Weill Cornell - Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis I realize this programs look a bit all over the place, I want to work in infectious disease research and would prefer to apply to an umbrella program. After working in a few different labs, I have found I value the lab environment almost as much as the research which is why I am looking for larger programs that have many labs to choose from. Just looking at this list I know I need more schools that have higher acceptance rates. Any suggestions for schools with large immuno/infectious disease/microbio programs?