eeee1923

From my experience with grad level ochem - review your sophomore reaction mechanisms and reactions. Basically the classes will start to reveal why the sophomore level ochem has to be simplified to such a degree. Overall a bit of textbook reading + journal reading should be fine. Relax a bit since you won't be getting another summer where you get 3 months off

8 yrs just shows a lack of focus on the student's part. Especially if the student is planning on completing 1 or 2 postdocs afterwards.

Any of the top cancer programs (irregardless of location) will be very competitive. You could try applying for PhD programs this year, but if you are ultimately aiming for a PhD it may take you working as a research tech for another year before you can be accepted. Now this doesn't mean you will have no chance to get into PhD programs this year - it will just be tougher since you have some of the cards stacked against you. The things that you can improve on: 1. GRE score - you need to score high (85th+ percentile, 4.5+ on the AWA) and probably may need to take the GRE subject (Biochem or Bio) and score well (75th+ percentile) 2. Articulate your research goals clearly in your SOP (start working on that this summer) 3. Get strong letters of recommendation (from your undergrad PI, your current lab PI, and another prof who can attest to your research and/or academic acumen)

Just relax, you'll be doing plenty of research in a few months anyhow

Step 1. Google a list of Business schools in the UK Step 2. Pick a school on that said list Step 3. Visit the school's website and lookup requirements for perspective students Step 4. Repeat as needed for the rest of the business schools from step 1

Business casual is usually a pretty safe choice

This is exactly correct

paper mill

Almost any of the PhD programs at the ~ 40 NCI-designated Cancer centers would be fully funded. If you're looking at the Midwest, then Purdue, Northwestern, IUPUI, Ohio State, Case Western, UChicago, U of Michigan - just to name a few. It would be helpful if you give some info on your undergraduate training and research experience.

brief pause

I think the 256GB SSD is fine. I have the 15 inch retina pro and it's fine in terms of storage of my work/school files. Music, movies, etc. - I store all that on my 2TB portable external (which was very cheap and pretty small).

You look pretty solid as of now. Score high on the general GRE and take the subject GRE as well (some programs require it) and aim for the 80th+ percentile.

I liked the Manhattan System - it's very comprehensive. For now I'll say get plenty of sleep on Monday and don't stress too much. See what score you get on the exam first before freaking out. Then you can ask about the next steps in your plan of attack.

If you have a GSM phone then you can just buy a mobile plan on any of the US based GSM mobile providers (ATT, T-Mobile, etc) or any of their MVNOs (Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Cricket Mobile, etc).

head case

Rubber gasket

No it's not too late. You need to have a target score you're aiming for that would make you competetive to the grad programs you're looking at (this varies depending on the institute, but they usually have the stats of their accepted students). First download the GRE powerprep software off of the ETS website and take a whole exam. This should give you an assessment of which areas you need to improve on. Then you can use Magoosh to improve your vocab and maybe the Barrons or Princeton Review GRE material to prep for the quantitative section. There are many prep materials out there, but all I can say is that you'll need to practice quite a bit to score very high scores but don't stress out too much since the GRE is just one section of the application package. Good luck with your preparations.

duck face

I also applied to 7 programs and found it to be too many - mostly because I was fortunate enough to interview at all of them and that was quite an exhaustive experience. I say 7-10 is good if you can afford it. Remember that there are quite a few other expenses tied to this process - sending GRE scores, transcripts, traveling, etc. - so make sure you only apply to programs that have at least 3-5 PI's that you could seriously see yourself working with.

I worked in an industrial testing facility (analytical chem and industrial scale-up stuff) conducting research and described the experience in terms of the skills I was able to gain. So yes, from your description, I would definitely say it counts as a research experience.

Usually takes 2-3 weeks for the AWA section to get accessed so to make the December 1st deadline you're looking at taking the GRE during the last week of October til the first week of November.

All my academic research was conducted at my undergrad institute and that didn't raise any problems for my application cycle.

If you don't love medicine it will be quite difficult (not impossible) to complete med school plus it will play into how effect of a doctor or surgeon you become. If you enjoy chem research - go for it. You'll have less debt and enjoy your work which will play into your effectiveness as a research scientist.

It really depends on what type of graduate program you're looking to get into. The rule of thumb would be that the better you do, the more helpful up to the point of diminishing returns (i.e. 166 vs 170). The caveat being that a low score can be more harmful than not (i.e. 60th percentile or lower). Aim for 4.5+ on the AW section though. Just remember the GRE is only 1 part of the application package and not necessarily the most important one.