MidwesternAloha

You could even do a sweater dress with a belt, knee high boots and dark tights and probably stay pretty warm. That's what my prof and I both wore to an open house in Minnesota

Just something nice! Maybe a tunic sweater with dress pants, anything from Ann Taylor or New York & Co/Express that will keep you warm. A cute cardi, scarf and slacks, with some boots.

Goodness!!! That would freak me out, not even know what flight I'm on, etc. (The department is booking it)

I had a dream I was facing an interview panel at the #1 school that resembled Stephen Hawking's committee in the "Theory of Everything" movie. Woke up in a cold sweat. What's most odd is that I never, ever, ever remember my dreams.

There are some good threads on this topic, if you use the search feature, they should come right up.

I hate the- "what's one thing you wish we would have asked you?" question, and I hate technical questions like "explain this mechanism." Pressure usually interferes with my intellectual ability during interviews LOL.

Wear a clear stud. Don't give an interviewer any reason to think differently/judge you. I have 11 piercings, myself, but remove/retain any facial piercings when I have an interview. Generally, people are more accepting of piercings nowadays, but at least in my field, there's still a lot of old scientists who aren't progressive in their beliefs. Make yourself look as good as possible- first impressions can't be changed. We had someone interview where I work, one time, who had a septum piercing and after the interview, my boss said he didn't care about the piercing, but he was so distracted by it that he didn't pay attention to anything she said. He's a [insert choice words] but, still. Food for thought.

There is deafness in my father's side of the family possibly due to my grandmother's experience with the German measles. My aunt wears 2 hearing aids and I am profoundly deaf in one ear (but opt out of wearing aids, at this point)

I concur! It's not about appeasing your family. You can always have a big reception or renewal 5 years down the road. My husband and I kept having to change the date for our wedding and finally we just went to the courthouse and told the family we'll have the big ceremony when time and distance allow. It's about being with who ya love

That paints a nice picture. Just gotta get over my initial fear! I'm normally so social, I swear. Thank you for the outfit advice, it actually prompted me to think of something hanging in my closet that will work!

Sorry, I'm a Nervous Nellie! Just need a place to express my mild anxiety about the first event being a dinner with faculty, "in whatever you wore while traveling." Be casual?!? Yeah okay. Lol.

You can usually read this information in a school/program's annual report. I know Duke has their statistics posted for each program, usually if you dig a little bit on the website you can find it. You'll see average applicant stats (usually more varied), average offers, and average matriculated. For the most part, people apply where they think they have a competitive advantage (or chance)

Correct.

I'd be pretty happy if this worked out in my favor, I definitely know I'd enjoy the other track but didn't know if these transferred apps ever actually came to something. Good to know you got an interview! Sounds like you made the right choice for your goals. Thanks for the insight. I won't throw in the towel just yet.

Yeah I definitely agreed to the transfer! I am just bewildered.

Note: I'm not looking for false reassurance. I legitimately don't know how to interpret this email. I have interviews elsewhere, just never encountered a rejection like this.

So I just received an email rejection from a specific program within one school, but they had an addendum to the email: they asked if they could transfer my app to a different (similar) PhD track. Is this anything worth holding onto, or should I just let go?

I appreciate these random facts!!!!

I've never had an academic interview but I have had two career-style jobs and I know that dressing to impress (even when your interviews are wearing Aloha Casual and flip flops, wear a suit) and have a firm handshake. Make eye contact. Smile. Keep your hair out of your face (if you're a girl). No overbearing perfume (male interviewers have told me they hate it). My question for you guys, because I'm afraid my mind will go blank under the pressure of the interview: should I expect like...textbook questions? Like, "oh, explain this mechanism." I once had a job interview where one interviewer said, "oh, you're a biochemist? Tell me what you think about such and such molecule in a de novo synthesis pathway" and I was like...

Catchy title, huh? Anyone have recommendations for a great portfolio to take to interviews? I used to have a leather padfolio with my college name on it but it's been worn out. Interview's in two weeks!! I'm struggling to find anything remotely feminine/that isn't black.

Also- you can get a GREAT education from plenty of schools outside the Top 20! You get out of it what you put into it!!!

Have you thought about maybe doing a post-bacc before applying to grad school? Often, these resume'-building experiences give you what you need to offset a low GPA. Definitely use your SOP to concisely address the obvious (low GPA). When you get an interview, you can go into further detail. Like yourself and the previous poster, I had a life-threatening illness during college. I had ZERO extracurriculars and credits from 4 different undergraduate institutions as I played catch-up to graduate on time. Write about what you learned and how the experience made you a better person, but don't cast it in a negative light. As far applying to "decent" schools- define decent. Ivy League? I might hold off on that. I know a doctor who was on an AdCom for an medical school. He said their computer system literally sorted and cut applications by GPA before forwarding the top tier to departmental people for actual review. It was frustrating because he knew a lot of great applicants get cut before anyone even sees their application. I can't speak to any other universities, but I know this type of system does exist. Apply where you think you can get in, and if you want to reach for what's a little beyond your grasp, start sending prospecting emails early. Get to know some PI's at the places you might want to go, and maybe shadow a graduate student or two. Those connections will work in your favor. I would also be happy to share my SOP if you are interested. I don't think it's anything remarkable, but I *DO* have interviews at places I never expected...so...reach for the stars! Good luck!

It's not foolish. You'll have opportunities for funding if you apply again later. I would recommend staying on track with your personal interests and letting that funding go to someone who's dying to be in your place.

Go to the recruitment weekend! At the very worst, it's an opportunity to network!

Case Western's acceptance rate is low. I worked there for two years after I got my bachelor's. When I worked there, the open Houses were not interviews at all, more like information sessions and a chance to get your name out there. What was the text of your invitation? What building is it in?