inyourgenes

GABA, I'm also planning to move in the first week of August, but I'm nervous about waiting to find housing, so I'd like to find a place online very soon. Maybe I'll fly down, but I'm finishing my thesis right now, so I'm a little strapped for time. Do you have any info on when classes start or when orientation is or anything like that?

GABA-daba-doo hi!! I'm so excited to know a potential classmate! I'm not IGP, I'm a direct admit to the bio program. I hear that most first year students take the bioreg course, so we'll probably be in that together!! I have an immune issue, so I really need to live alone but finding nice, clean, cheap apartments online has been hard. I've been looking at Post Ridge apartments (which I think is in Bellevue) and it seems like a pretty solid fit, but I think I might need to go make another visit down there to find a place, as you suggest. When are you planning to move? (I live in MA right now, so I'm dreading this move.)

I'm wanting to ask for more money as I have lots of health issues and will need a bit of extra money to attend appointments, get antibiotics, and afford tests that I need frequently. It shouldn't affect my work abilities as long as I have the money I need to handle these expenses. Do you think I can ask specifically for help in this realm? Thanks!

I've just been looking online and it seems that there are lots of questionable complexes (they change their names frequently so it's hard to keep up). The housing just off campus is unreal ($1500/mo). I've been looking about 15-20 min off campus and it's a bit more affordable ($1000/mo) but still not ideal...

I'm almost certain I'll be attending Vandy in the fall, just need to let them know that! (PhD in biological sciences) I'm concerned about housing, too!

Hi! I'm leaning strongly toward attending Vandy in the fall and I'm having trouble finding affordable, safe, clean housing close to campus. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Hi, Clueless91! I have a similar question. If I know that there are merit scholarships available (being a minority, being excellent, etc) is it rude to mention that and nudge along the fact that that might help me in my decision?

Some of the programs to which I applied only care about the date that the application was submitted. So if you've already submitted (and presumably shelled out money for) the application, I would go ahead and send the transcripts & GRE scores. At the very least you should call the programs and see if they'll accept the extra materials past the deadline. This is all assuming that you already sent in the applications for these programs. If that's not the case then ignore this post altogether.

Do you know if the Vanderbilt application is free?

Pasteltomato, it was before the deadline, submitted yesterday on time. I already have contacted professors, and one of them seems pretty enthusiastic. I guess I imagined writing something about how I realized what a good fit the program is late in the game, and I know that I can present myself better than that. But I guess that does sound kind of self-sabotagey - highlighting the flaws of my application. Yes, it says minimum 3.0, but preferred 3.4 or higher graduate GPA. My GPA in grad-level courses is a 3.89, which I highlight in my SOP.

So I decided to apply to Berkeley last minute and filled out the application and wrote the essays. I'm concerned that it wasn't my best work since it was so last minute, but I'm a great research fit and have focused a significant amount of my life on social justice, which Berkeley emphasizes. I had eliminated Berkeley as an option because I didn't think my stats are high enough, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to apply. I've been in touch with professors already, but do you suggest I write something explaining the situation? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I would love to attend Berkeley and would like to do what I can to make it happen.

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts college, fairly well known and respected Major(s): Biology and Anthropology Minor(s): None GPA in Major: Overall GPA: 3.14 Graduate Institution: Same as undergrad GPA in MS: 3.0 (very rough start, and OChem, but very upward trend - 4.0 most recent semesters) GPA in Research Courses: 4.0 Position in Class: Unknown Type of Student: Domestic female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 149 (37%) (I know... Math tests stress me out) V: 163 (93%) W: 5 (93%) B: Not taking Full-time GRE prep, taking them again in December and hoping adcomms will look at them! Research Experience: By the time I graduate, I'll have 4 years (and 5 summers) in the genetics lab where I currently study. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Deans List Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Biology tutor; TA experience; 2 semesters of teaching experience (undergrad lab course); Grader for a class; STEM mentor during senior year; Fellowship teaching science to a kindergarten class. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Junior & Senior Class President; Club president; Started a mentoring program for undergrads. Special Bonus Points: I have a very mild disability, which I casually mention in the 4th line of my SOP. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: 2 First-author papers (low-impact journals) in preparation, Experience guest lecturing, Handful of conference/poster presentations Applying to Where: Biology PhD Programs (in no particular order) UPenn UConn UMass Amherst BU Penn State Northeastern I'm looking for some reassurance that something good might come of this. Thanks!!