pachydermatus

Got an interview invite from Cornell Micro (Ithaca)! Same weekend as my UGA interview, so it looks like I'll be making the 5.5h drive up another weekend!

Got my first interview invite yesterday! UGA Microbiology. First time visiting the south, and a nice break from bleak February in New England! Congrats and good luck everybody!

The confirmation I got from Madison after submitting my application stated very clearly when applications are reviewed and who will get invited for interviews, so I'm really not sure what all the fuss here is about.

This is really helpful. Thank you! Now us ladies have some idea of what to buy/pack for interview weekends!

6) Cost of living – really low, especially given our salary. We make more here than they do in NYC or Boston and it’s much less expensive to live. Don’t underestimate how important this is. If you want to, you could go out every night of the week to eat and drink and you would have no problem getting by on your stipend. Yale subsidizes every aspect of student life so there are tonnes of free drinking and socializing options and we have a catered lunch meeting in the department every day of the week. I have to disagree with you on this. I have lived in New Haven for 8 years. It's expensive, and it's just getting more expensive as we get more and more high rise luxury apartments. Lack of affordable housing is a huge problem in New Haven. So, if you have roommates, yes you could live somewhat comfortably, but forget trying to rent a place on your own. Taxes are also high, and the only grocery store that's within walking distance to downtown is expensive. All that being said, it's a nice little city. And I know people said something about people here being unwelcoming, but that's not really true. Just don't be an ass and people will be nice to you.

I like all of these suggestions. Especially since I can't remember the last time I read a book for fun.

I just sent in my final application today! After a deep breath and a cross of the fingers! It's funny... now that they're all in I don't know what to do with myself. Anyone else get that feeling? Good luck!

I was being sarcastic! I am with you. This (what some might call) foolish optimism is scary at times!

Anything that's free and doesn't smear across the page (pencils, fountain and gel pens) or get jammed up as I write (ballpoint pens). I can't speak for all lefties, but for me writing utensils are an incredibly important aspect of daily life.

Define excited. I am in the "I have no idea what I am doing" phase at the moment. Just have to get these SoPs done, then time to fork over my life savings and submit those applications!

Are we all still doing this? Undergrad Institution: Small state school Major(s): Biology Minor(s): GPA in Major: 4.0 Overall GPA: 3.83 Position in Class: I'd assume pretty high Type of Student: Adult learner/Non-trad, female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 162 V: 151 W: 4.5 Research Experience: 2 years doing microbe-plant interactions in Undergrad. Just started as a research associate at a top tier University doing microbial pathogenesis. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: President of a Women in Math and Sciences society. Applying to Where: Microbiology programs: Cornell Yale Rutgers University of Georgia UC Berkeley UWisc - Madison

Put it in the CV! However, if your experimental design required something really amazing that undergrads wouldn't normally be doing or if you engineered a piece of equipment to perform your experiments I would work it into your "this is how I addressed my research problem" part.

Thanks, StudyStar! I see what you're saying. I am just really having trouble finding new ways to say the same thing. Luckily they mostly ask the very general "Why do you want to go to grad school, and why at (University)? Explain how your previous experience has prepared you for graduate study."

Thanks, but I didn't feel comfortable posting my statement publicly. Would anyone be willing to critique via PM?

I am applying to six Micro programs, and I was hoping someone would be willing to read one of my SoPs before I go crazy finishing all six of them! I am concerned it's too boring and impersonal. Thanks in advance! Also -- how bad is it to submit one essay that's just tailored to each program? So all the same info, but just addressing the faculty and research at the given university.