LoveMysterious

Haha, I was actually thinking of downloading LoL (haven't played in three years!) again because now that apps are done, I have no idea what to do with all this free time. Good luck!!!

Turned in my first round of apps yesterday :). Good luck everyone! Now we get to compulsively check our e-mails for the next three months

You just made my day. I just submitted my PhD applications this morning, and now I have a tiny bit of hope :). Thank you!

I had diversity statements in two of my applications (NYU and Northwestern DGP). I would definitely do them. This is your time to address your personal narrative and tell the adcom what makes you unique as an individual. Other people will be writing potentially powerful narratives and I think you're at a disadvantage if you don't write one. Even if it matters only a tiny bit, it could make a different in terms of making your application memorable and compelling.

Sure thing. This is the program I completed: http://extension.berkeley.edu/spos/advanced_biosciences.html . I also took several additional classes as well. I spent all of 2015 and 2016 taking classes and preparing myself for graduate school admission, but the program itself took me a little over a year to complete while working full time. This program is designed for scientists who are looking to either further their knowledge, or strengthen their grad school application. I believe there is a separate program for pre-med students. I really enjoyed the program. My professors were awesome, and they frequently interacted with me via forums and video messaging, so I felt like I got individual instruction as well. It was not easy, though. I had to work hard for As, though I did take difficult classes (immunology, medical micro...fun!). Some of the classes have a specific timeline that you follow, and others are self-paced and can be completed any time within a 3-6 month window. I generally work 8-9ish hours in the lab and then I stayed late at work to study about 5-10 hours a week, depending on the week. I'm aware that in gad school, you have to juggle research and classes, so this was a great practice run for me. You can PM me if you'd like more info.

I am actually about to find out the answer to this question and hopefully I'll have some positive results next spring! My uGPA is under a 3.0. Since graduating, I have worked as an RA full-time for 4 years and have co-authored several publications. To demonstrate my academic ability, I completed extra coursework and a year-long post bacc program at UC Berkeley's extension. My post-bacc GPA is 3.9 and all classes were upper division coursework. I am applying to a large spread of programs - some PhDs and some masters. We will see if this is enough to mitigate my low uGPA. From what I've read on this site, others have been able to overcome low GPAs with additional classes/post-bacc and research experience. I personally think that full-time research experience is invaluable, as it shows you are able to function as a scientist full time. But we will see what the adcoms think!

Hi @biotechie! Thank's for the response. I've got a solid draft of my SOP done and I think I've got a good strategy to acknowledge this. Would you mind if I PMed you?

100% disagree. If you're working in the biotech industry (as the person you're referring to individual did), you do not have the opportunity to publish scientific journal articles as you would in academia. That does not necessarily make your research any less valuable... or prolific. There are a myriad of other ways of showing research potential other than pubs alone.

Check out Tufts' MS program. I think U of Iowa and Iowa State may also have funding for masters students, but I'm not positive. It's pretty rare but there are some funded masters programs out there. They are markedly more competitive though.

@biochemgirl67, would you mind if I PMed you with a couple of questions about Vanderbilt IGP's application? I am planning to apply .

Have you looked into genetic counseling programs?

You aren't crazy. I'm in the same boat. I'm applying to both masters programs and PhD programs. You can look up my stats in my older posts if you're curious. If you don't get in, I would recommend doing a post-bacc program to help mitigate your uGPA and prove that you can excel in difficult coursework.

Thanks for creating this thread! I was wondering if I should be reaching out to PIs of interest regarding research opportunities for graduate students in their labs. Or is it more appropriate to wait until I am admitted to a program? How important is networking? Secondly, I took a medical leave of absence in college, which will show up on my transcript. I would like to briefly mention my chronic illness, as it is why I have chosen to pursue a career in biomedical research, and it catalyzed my love for science. I know that admissions boards don't care for a personal narrative and I certainly don't want to make an excuse - we've all got challenges in our lives. I would appreciate any advice on how to tactfully acknowledge my condition in a way that will benefit my application rather than hinder it.

Thanks again for the tips! My mentors are pushing me hard to apply to only PhDs and then have some masters programs in mind as a back-up (generally those applications aren't due till spring). Pretty nervous, but I'm really hoping to report some good news next spring :). Worst case scenario, I'll do a masters, kick some butt, and then apply to some more prestigious PhD programs. Vanderbilt IGP is fantastic! I'm so interested in their work on H. pylori!

Thanks for your feedback! Only 7 (semester long) classes. I did as much as I could while working full time. Right now I'm reaching out to schools that have 3.0 cut-offs to see if they'll factor in my post-bacc GPA. I would love to apply to PhD programs, and my mentors are pushing me to apply. I don't think they realize how competitive it is, though. I feel like other applicants will have applications just as strong as mine, but with a stellar uGPA. Sometimes I'm truly worried that I won't even get accepted into any masters program.

Thanks so much for your reply! My mentors think it will be fine, but I think they are undermining how competitive the process has become - they all went through it decades ago. Everyone has told me that a masters is useless (and expensive) for what I want to do, but I really have no choice. For me it will be a stepping stone to a PhD program, I hope! I see you interviewed at Princeton! My dream goal is to do my PhD there someday. My husband went there and has given me valuable connections to faculty. It is going to be a long, hard road for sure, but I'm going to try. Thanks for the advice.

Hi everyone! I know this is a long-shot for me but I'm applying to get my masters despite my impressively low uGPA. I was wondering if anyone could give me some feed-back on my application and whether or not I could possibly be admitted somewhere. I'm somewhat daunted and a little embarrassed by my academic performance during undergrad. Undergrad Institution: UCSD (2011)Major(s): Biochemistry & Cell BiologyMinor(s): PsychologyuGPA in Major: probably around 2.6uOverall GPA: 2.60 (that's right, people. I'm trying to overcome a 2.6.)Position in Class: N/A Type of Student: Female Post-Bacc Coursework: Took a bunch of upper div bioscience classes at UC Berkeley Extension. Got the certificate in "Advanced Biosciences." Concentrated on microbio/immuno courses. Post-Bacc GPA: 3.9GRE Scores:Q: 163V: 165W: 5.5 Research Experience: 6 month in a well-known Alzheimer's lab at a prestigious research institution 1 year working with next-gen sequencing and various molecular bio techniques at a biotech start-up 3.5 years working with infectious diseases, one publication. This is a position in biotech industry, but I'm in the research department. I also split my time in the microbiology department. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Won an exceptional performance award at my job. Not sure if anyone cares though.Pertinent Activities or Jobs: -Philanthropy Chair in organization in college. Member of UCSD Chamber orchestra. Special Bonus Points: I don't want to give away my identity with specifics, but I made significant contributions to my current lab. I oversaw a clinical collaboration study. My recommendation letters are all from prominent researchers in the field of microbiology who can attest to my research potential, my intellect, and my enthusiasm for science. I'm a little older than most applicants - 28 years old. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I am applying to grad school despite my abysmal uGPA because I love studying micro-organisms. I am driven by my genuine interest in science and I hope to reflect that in my SOP. I have a chronic illness that kicks my butt every day but I'm not sure if I should mention it in my SOP. I took a medical leave of absence during my junior year but I don't want a pity party. Applying to Where: This is where I kind of need some advice. I have no idea if my uGPA will bar me from any decent program. I am hoping my post-bacc coursework, strong GRE scores, and the rest of my app will mitigate it, but I'm really not sure. I ultimately want a PhD but that ain't happening. So far I am interested in: -SDSU Microbiology (masters) -Loyola U Chicago microbiology (masters) -U Illinois Chicago bio sci (masters) -NYU general biology (masters) (Huuuuuuge reach!!) -Middle Tennessee University bio sci (masters) -SUNY Stony brook biosci (masters) Favorite research topic: The human microbiome, particularly the dynamics between micros that result in infectious diseases. I'm especially fascinated by opportunistic infections. What do you guys think? Thank you in advance for any feedback and best of luck to those applying!

Alright people. I know this is a long-shot for me but I'm going for it despite my impressively low uGPA. Undergrad Institution: UCSD (2011)Major(s): Biochemistry & Cell BiologyMinor(s): PsychologyuGPA in Major: probably around 2.6uOverall GPA: 2.60 (that's right, people. I'm trying to overcome a 2.6.)Position in Class: N/A Type of Student: Female Post-Bacc Coursework: Took a bunch of upper div bioscience classes at UC Berkeley Extension. Got the certificate in "Advanced Biosciences." Concentrated on microbio/immuno courses. Post-Bacc GPA: 3.9GRE Scores (revised):Q: 163V: 165W: 5.5 Research Experience: 6 month in a well-known Alzheimer's lab at a prestigious research institution 1 year working with next-gen sequencing and various molecular bio techniques at a biotech start-up 3.5 years working with infectious diseases, one publication. This is a position in biotech industry, but I'm in the research department. I also split my time in the microbiology department. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Won an exceptional performance award at my job. Not sure if anyone cares though.Pertinent Activities or Jobs: -Philanthropy Chair in organization in college. Member of UCSD Chamber orchestra. Special Bonus Points: I don't want to give away my identity with specifics, but I made significant contributions to my current lab. I oversaw a clinical collaboration study. My recommendation letters are all from prominent researchers in the field of microbiology who can attest to my research potential, my intellect, and my enthusiasm for science. I'm a little older than most applicants - 28 years old. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I am applying to grad school despite my abysmal uGPA because I love studying micro-organisms. I am driven by my genuine interest in science I hope to reflect that in my SOP. Applying to Where: This is where I kind of need some advice. I have no idea if my uGPA will bar me from any decent program. I am hoping my post-bacc coursework, strong GRE scores, and the rest of my app will mitigate it, but I'm really not sure. I ultimately want a PhD but that ain't happening. So far I am interested in: -SDSU Microbiology (masters) -Loyola microbiology and immunology (masters) -U Illinois Chicago bio sci (masters) -NYU general biology (masters) -Middle Tennessee University bio sci (masters) -SUNY Stony brook biosci (masters) Favorite research topic: The human microbiome, particularly the dynamics between micros that result in infectious diseases. I'm especially fascinated by opportunistic infections. What do you guys think? Thank you in advance for any feedback and best of luck to those applying!

Thank you all for your advice! For my masters, I am just trying to get in ANY program where there is a decent research presence at the school. I have found a couple of programs that take students with GPAs below the cut-off and provisionally accept them. I think this is my best bet. The plan is to kick butt in my masters program and then I really hope I can apply to some top tier PhD programs. I know I've got a long road ahead, but I'm gonna try my best!

Hey everyone, Biochem major here. I want to apply to a masters program, and then possibly get my PhD in biology. Here is my story: A few years ago, I graduated with under a 3.0 undergrad gpa from a top tier university. After graduating, I landed an excellent job working in a lab for a biotech company. In the months that followed, I made a real commitment to managing my health, and boy did it pay off! For the past three years, I have felt great and have excelled at work. I absolutely love the work that I do, and have such a passion for science. I have always wanted a graduate degree, but felt terrible about my experience in college. I felt that I couldn't get past my garbage GPA. I decided that I wanted it bad enough to go ahead and try to apply for grad school, knowing it would be a looong road ahead. I started out by enrolling in classes as an alumni at my old university. I completed several upper division biology classes while working full time, and received A's in both classes! I wanted to show both myself, and prospective admissions committees that I was capable of handling the workload. I also really enjoyed the material and felt excited to be back in school. Now, I am ready to start looking at masters programs, and I plan on applying this fall. I am not worried about my letters of rec or GRE score- I think that my high score and excellent recs will really help. I have 3+ years of professional work experience, and about 5 years of lab experience. However, my GPA is what it is. Here are my questions for you guys: 1. Should I try to get into ANY bottom of the barrel masters program, or would it be worth applying to some decent schools despite my low GPA? Is this a deal-breaker? 2. I want to incorporate my medical condition in my personal statement, because it has defined my life in so many ways. I do not want it to be a sob story, or an excuse. I want it to be seen as a challenge that I have overcome. Is this a good thing to write about? How much do I need to disclose? 3. My ultimate goal is to get my PhD. I want to get my masters first and then apply to PhD programs. Will schools take my masters GPA into consideration? Or will my undergrad GPA be a black stain forever? I would appreciate any advice and input regarding applying to grad school with a low undergraduate GPA. Thank you all very much for your time!