LoveMysterious

Hi everyone! I've got a question regarding applying to multiple programs at the same school. I applied to Loyola Chicago's masters program in Infectious Disease & Immunology MS, and I see that they also have a very similar program that is Microbiology & Immunology MS. The curriculum is nearly identical; but one program is more geared toward translational research. I'd be more than happy in either program and I want to apply to this other program as well. Is it generally discouraged to apply to multiple programs at the same institution? What about when the people on the admissions committee overlap?

Me too! Was a reach for me, but oh well.

Interviewing with a PI at Case Western next week!! This is for a masters program, so the protocol is a bit different than for PhD interviews, but I am so happy! This lab is a great fit. There is hope, people!

Buddy, it isn't even January. The best thing you can possibly do for yourself is try to relax (lol I know, right?) and enjoy the holidays. I feel like you're rushing toward the worse-case scenario, which probably won't even happen. Don't feed the stress!

Guys, its only Dec 21st! It is easy to get discouraged when you're seeing a bunch of people get multiple invites from Harvard/Yale/Penn/etc but to put things in perspective, it has only been three weeks since apps were due, and many schools haven't even started reviewing them yet. Panic mode is for February/March ;). We got this!

Don't be embarrassed! You're obviously a great applicant if you're getting interviews for neuro at Case =). Mine is even less than yours - I had to go do a post bacc. Good luck to you too!

Are you by any chance the person with the low gpa who posted on the survey results? Rooting for you all, but especially for my fellow low gpa-ers!! Congrats!

I did, but it's my dream-reach school. If no one who applied to the IMP program hears back, it's probably because the adcomm all had heart attacks after seeing how bad my undergrad transcript is. JK!

You aren't alone. There are a bunch of other people here waiting on some of these programs. Did you apply to Northwestern DGP or IBiS?

I know the feel. I'm having some legit anxiety today

ahhhhhh congrats!!! Do you know if they have an alternate weekend?

Awesome! I chose Microbio. Good luck to you too!

I haven't heard from Sackler either. I also applied to Northwestern DGP and someone heard back late last night, so it looks like they've began sending out invites!! I am spam checking my email

Hey! Fellow "old person" here ;). I've been in the biotech industry to four years, and I'm not worried about it. My co-worker applied last cycle and got into all top-tier schools. He said that POIs were really intrigued by his work and impressed with the technology that we know how to use. The one caveat is that you have to really have to convince them that you want to return to academia, which it sounds like you did in your SOP. I personally wrote about how I want to eventually do translational research, utilizing some of the skills I've learned while in the industry. I think you'll be fine. Remember, having full-time research experience puts you light-years ahead of everyone else, because you've shown you can function full-time in a lab over a long period of time. Some people on this forum may scoff at that, but I don't really think there is harm in industry work, providing it is lab/science based. The research experience far outweighs any potential negative perception. Yay for non-traditional applications - rooting for you!! Edit: just saw your stats. You are gonna rock it!

I was actually looking up threads about this yesterday. I had a minor typo in one of my SOPs and was flipping out. Seems like the general consensus is that no one cares about typos and it actually doesn't seem like putting the wrong school name will doom you if you otherwise have a stellar application. Other people were saying that they put the wrong school name and got interviews/acceptances. I think you still have a chance. Breathe!! It will be ok!

Same here! And several of my apps aren't technically even due until January. It's gonna be a looooong next few months.

Haha agreed. I think many of us can relate to the title right now!

BIG CONGRATS to everyone who has gotten interviews - you guys are rock stars! And to the rest of us: We got this, yo!

I haven't heard back either. I submitted my app 11/28. Exactly, I heard this is how they do it. Its truly a rolling process. Stay strong guys !

Oooh boy. Just had my first application fiasco. I wanted to apply to UIC master's program in Biosciences (as a backup if I don't get into a PhD program) and they JUST e-mailed me saying they aren't offering a masters...even though it's on their website and the application! OOF!!! Sooo...looks like I'm applying to UIC GEMS instead. Does anyone know how competitive this program is? This was supposed to be my safety.

Vandy's is rolling. They meet every Monday and then send a bunch of invites out. Not sure about the other schools though. This was supposed to be my "super reach" school but man...hope is a powerful thing, haha!! Hang in there everyone!!

Vandy IGP started sending out invites! I'm trying to stay calm

Thank you! So should I also be on the lookout for any incoming calls from institutions?

I think Vanderbilt had its first adcomm meeting yesterday (apparently they meet every Monday). Hang in there guys! Can't believe its only been....6 days. I feel like I have aged a couple of years

Yes! Do a post-bacc! I think you need a little bit more evidence to show that you can handle the academic course load. I did one while working full-time, no problem. Other than that, your application seems really really strong. I'm honestly shocked that you didn't receive one interview. That makes me think that maybe something was wrong with your SOP, or you had a major typo in your applications or something. I don't think you should acknowledge your sexual assault - adcomms don't want to hear about that kind of baggage. Just acknowledge that you were a different student back then and move on. Taking some more classes will help show that you're a better student now. Did you only apply to top-tier programs?