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Hi, I was wondering if anyone here can take a look and give me some feedback on my statement of purpose, Please comment below if you can help me out. I appreciate your help in advance!

Hello everyone, So one of the schools (basically all of the schools...) I'm applying tells us to include "brief description of your research experience and the implication of the research". I have quite a few projects so far, and if I have to briefly describe the research and the implication one by one, it would take a LOT of words. I was thinking that they want me to talk about my experience is just to make sure that I can thoroughly explain my projects and their importance, instead of actually wanting all the details(Since I have descriptions on my resume). Do you guys think it's reasonable to explain only one project in depth just to demonstrate I can talk about science fluently, and then just go over the rest real quick? Thank you for your input in advance!!

Thanks for you input! I just have a few more questions about the application process if you don't mind: 1. What exactly do you mean by establishing a good relationship with the professors that you're interested in working with? I feel like they must be receiving tons of garbage emails that are basically saying "I really like your research". Do you ask questions that you don't understand about their research or ask them some details that aren't covered in their publications? (Sorry I know that is a stupid question) 2. Why did you pick UIUC over the other 2 schools? Is that environmental/ just the research interest? Do you mind if I pm you a couple question regarding personal statement?

Hey there, Thanks for you input! I actually don't think it's true that computational biology requires LOTS of chemical knowledge. I'm more interested in the genomic science than molecular biology, and I've already looked into specific PIs. What I'm asking is if anyone here knows about some schools with good bioinformatics programs at the same time take a decent amount of international students so that I can look at the PIs.

Hi all, I am finishing my senior year soon, and after taken some computer science classes and learning about the field of computational biology, I've decided to switch from applying to computational biology program instead of just biology. However, I'm having a little trouble on deciding the right programs to apply. I think I'm a much weaker applicant for a computational biology program than a biochemistry program. First of all, while I have been doing research for 4 years, all of them are molecular biology/genetics, rather than computational biology related.(apart from the 4 years of research experience I have, I'm a pretty average applicant...) Another issue that I have is that I'm an international student, which means that funding is going to be tough. So far I have a fairly unrealistic list that would most likely gives me no offer at all: UIUC - Biophysics and Computational Biology Cornell - Computational Biology CMU - U of Pittsburg Computation Biology MIT - Computational and System Biology Harvard -Systems Biology Unfortunately, these schools are super hard to get in, at the same time they accept a good amount of international students(yaaaayy). On the other hand there are some schools that I'd probably have a better chance of getting in (if I wasn't an international student), admits only a small amount (like 1 per year) or international students. I was hoping if you guys can give me some suggestions on school that I'd stand a fair chance getting in as an international student. Any input is appreciated!! Here's my stat: Undergrad Institution: Big state school, Top 20 in both Biology and computer science Major(s): Biochemistry Minor(s): Computer Science GPA in Major: 3.94, minor 3.90 Overall GPA: 3.94 Position in Class: top 2 % Type of Student: International GRE Scores (revised/old version): v 160, q 168, r 4.0 Research Experience: one plant bio lab for 2 years, (include a summer scholar program with stipend) one for a summer (scholar program with stipend) and another lab for 2 years. (home institution and honor thesis) 1 second author publication, 1 honorable mention in a publication and presented in 2 undergraduate national conference Awards/Honors/Recognitions: summa cum laude,phi beta kappa, provost honor and was in one of the summer scholar program Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for a year, writer for school science journal for a year Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:meh Special Bonus Points: PI of both labs I worked in are super big in their field, and I'll get awesome recs from them based on my work there.

Lol sorry I can't believe I forgot to put that down. Probably biochemistry

Hi all, I'm graduating this year and am thinking about applying next year. Here's my stats: Undergrad Institution: Top 25 big state school Major(s): Biochemistry Minor(s): Computer Science GPA in Major: 4.0 Overall GPA: 4.0 Position in Class: uh.... top 2% I assume? Type of Student: International GRE Scores (revised/old version): Studying for it now! Research Experience: one plant bio lab for 2 years, one for a summer and another lab for 2 years. 1 second author publication and presented in 2 undergraduate national conference Awards/Honors/Recognitions: summa cum laude,phi beta kappa, provost honor and was in one of the summer scholar program Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for more than a year, writer for school science journal for 2 years Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:meh Special Bonus Points: PI of both labs I worked in are super big in their field, and I'll get awesome recs from them based on my work there. I'm trying to sort out a list of school to apply but I'm having a hard time to see which one is safety and which one is reach. and I was wondering you guys can help me out a bit on this. Thanks!