Focus

Bread Bowl.

Hahaha, you're definitely right. Doh! Thanks(:

Possibly? Here's a link to the program: http://www.baylor.edu/biomedical/ I believe this is what you were speaking of; their program structure is a little confusing. I emailed the administrative associate and applications technically aren't due until February; but I submitted it early with the rest of my applications. I wouldn't be surprised if interviews aren't out until January-ish. I'll just have to sit tight!

That's awesome! Congratulations! I'm waiting to hear back from Baylor's Biomedical Studies program. When did you submit your application?

I got a phone call and a follow-up email. I checked my application online and it still just says "submitted".

Neck beard

I don't think they're always sent out so early. I submitted my UColorado Denver app pretty early (late-September). I know @Azia said that she submitted to her app several weeks ago (early November?). I'm thinking the earlier the app was submitted the quicker the turn around? Perhaps it might just be a "top of the pile" type admissions process for some programs. Honestly, I was surprised to receive an invite so early. I saw most of the programs anticipate invitations going out early to mid-January.

I got a call and email from U Colorado Denver; officially invited for an interview! I'm beyond excited!

It's the best feeling in the entire world! Congratulations!

Great job! You really brought up that Q! You shouldn't have a problem with any automatic GRE cutoffs anymore.

If it is just the one little error then it seems kind of inconsequential. It's not like your SoP is riddled with consistent spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. I, for one, wouldn't sweat it and take the time to trouble the poor program admins; they're buried in dozens of applications already. But now that you brought it up, I'm thinking I had better re-re-read all of my materials haha.

I'm in the same boat; I know I'm an average-at-best candidate but am still holding onto the dream. It can definitely be frustrating, I'm still putting the finishing touches on some of my applications and it's hard to stay motivated knowing that I'll put so much effort into essays that may only be skimmed or sorted out and binned. Not to mention doubting whether my $90 is REALLY actually well spent. It can be hard clicking that payment button and sending applications off into the void.

I don't know how helpful this will be (I'm not in your discipline or on your side of the country), but here's my general take on my applications (for this current cycle). When I was searching for programs to apply to I used wikipedia to screen by state (like AtomDance mentioned). My search was limited to only a few states, like yours (for kind of similar reasons), and there was a finite list of programs to choose from. I screened each program against my research interests and then whittled down the list to my favorites. I had a list of only 5 programs with good research fit in my state criteria. After hours of deliberation, I expanded my criteria and found 16 programs that would be a good fit and ended up narrowing it down to 7 programs that I am applying to this cycle (2 that weren't in my original criteria). I scoured each program for admissions statistics to see if I might be a competitive applicant. Some programs have such statistics, many do not. I only applied to programs with a good-excellent research fit (interestingly some top programs aren't exactly focused on my desired research). My general feeling is that stellar research-fit is much more important than raw scores or GPAs; hopefully the admissions committees feel the same. It was a long process, but I know that I would accept offers from any program in a heartbeat, even those in states that I probably "can't" or "shouldn't" move to. I opted to pass on applying to masters programs; if I don't make the cut this year, I will gain some more research experience and apply again in a cycle or two. Perhaps in time my situation may change and I might be able to cast a wider net. I guess, apply where you can see yourself enjoying the research even if it's a stretch distance wise. I decided I'd rather move 500 miles farther away and be in a great program than in my home state stuck in a less complementary lab.

Hey, I don't know how big of a help I can be, but above is my application profile. We're applying to three of the same programs with kind-of similar stats. Personally, I think you picked some great schools.

I really don't think that most people get their PhD to become a post-doc; it is only out of lack of "apparent" options/training/effort/economy/etc. (the list is long) that post-doc positions are overwhelmed. Post-docs are certainly an important and healthy transition to certain careers, but have been treated as a stopgap for many who, perhaps, aren't sure what to do with their degree. The article (and I) am of the opinion that higher compensation reduces the lab's ability to staff many poorly-compensated post-docs. This, coupled with a time-limit for post-doctoral work would help reduce the number of post-docs at any given time. I am wholly in agreement that there are jobs out there for the PhD. Obviously there is a distinct need for some publicity on the career opportunities for the modern PhD both in society and built into graduate (or as early as undergraduate) programs. I know that I, personally, love the laboratory environment and have long desired to stay in a research capacity whether in academia or industry. As such, never would I ever have envisioned the various opportunities in government, writing, etc had I never done some digging as a prospective grad student. Now that I'm aware of the opportunities, I'm much more able to leverage my years and experiences in grad school to my advantage while job searching.

Thanks for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed the paper and found some of the suggestions rather refreshing; paying post-docs scientist-level compensation to balance the system is a nice idea that has been tossed about for a little while now. Hopefully by the time I'm finished with my doctorate there will be some bigger strides towards these types of solutions. It's really a pity that what I love happens to be a biomedical science. Oh well, I guess I prefer the devil I know.

What are your research interests? (specifically/generally)Toxicology? Molecular biology? Immunology?

Thank you all for your responses, I truly appreciate it.

Should I mention a publication (my only one) that I am not particularly proud of in my application? It will stay in my CV, but do you recommend that I discuss it elsewhere in my application like in my SoP or research experience? It's not that I'm not happy for a publication; however, I felt that my mentor rushed it as a pet project rather than investing in more extensive studies, as per my request and desire. As such it severely lacks depth and impact factor. Also, as a pet project it is not related to the field that I want to pursue. Fortunately/unfortunately, I worked with my mentor exclusively and am the second of two authors on the paper. What should I do?

We are applying to some similar schools; I am also applying to OHSU - PMCB, UC Irvine - CMB, and U of Washington and CU Boulder (but for different programs). While your GPA isn't stellar, it's not really half bad either. It looks like you're going to be finishing undergrad strong with a good, positive trend for your upper-division classes. I wouldn't worry about it too much (but you will). If you so desire you could briefly address it in your SoP or have a professor juxtapose your overall performance against your freshman year. Your GRE scores are a little on the low side, but I'm sure you can improve upon them with just a little bit of work (I didn't do too well on it either). Some of the programs have a combined Q/V score cutoff in the 31_ range; I think it is in your best interest to retake it so you don't get weeded out prior to getting your application reviewed. You do have research experience which will help bolster your application; however it is all about how you can play your past research experience into your future research directions at the specific schools. If you can do that, I think it will help offset any other deficiencies you feel you may have. Overall I think you're a fairly competitive applicant if you put in the legwork on the GRE and SoP; all of your prospective schools are solid programs with a fair amount of competition so work hard! Good luck!

What upper-division biology and chemistry courses have you taken/will you have taken? Based on all of my lurking, psychology applicants in neuro may be lacking in some coursework that many other science majors have already taken.

Yes! It's one of my top choices! I've heard that it can be quite competitive as well, despite being smaller.

Hello all, I currently intern in a lab at a small school that I am not attending. I have worked with a few of the faculty here for two summers and they have supervised all of my research. A small handful have been kind enough to offer to write me LoR's and I intend to take the two strongest letter writer's up on their offer. The primary letter writer is a biologist that I have spent the most time working with; the other is an immunologist that I have been working with only for 1 summer. (I intend to apply to immunology programs.) I was thinking about having all 3 letter's from this institution, but thought it would be strange, considering that I'm not a student. I would like to implement a LoR from my home institution, and need some opinions on who to choose for my third writer. Currently, I'm choosing between my current boss who runs the school tutoring center (who I have been told writes GLOWING LoR's) and has always been very supportive and encouraging in my grad school pursuits, or two professors. I distinguished myself well in both professor's classes, but.. Professor A is department chair, advisor for a club that I am president of, and in a chemistry (not biological science) field. Professor B is an assistant professor, a professor in my major (biochemistry), that has a more thorough knowledge of my academic performance. Both professors sat in a council and agreed to award me a school scholarship in chemistry/biochemistry (so my assumption is they both like me). Am I overthinking this? Should I do one from each facet of my life? Research, academic, and employment? If so, which writers would you suggest? Thanks!

I've been flirting with the idea of Denver; I haven't yet looked at U New Mexico. I'll have to take a closer look at both programs.

Undergrad Institution: Small, liberal arts school in the PNW Major(s): Biochemistry Minor(s): N/A GPA in Major: 3.51 (A's and A-'s in all science classes. Met some difficulty in calculus.) Overall GPA: 3.61 Position in Class: Unranked Type of Student: Domestic, male GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 162 (83%) V: 162 (90%) W: 4 (56%) B: Really unsure of whether I'll end up taking it. Research Experience: Two summers at a small pharmacy school in California. General lab duties and procedures; worked primarily with ELISA, cell culture, HPLC, and protocol design/testing. Have been working on a number of projects; however, no publications to show for it. The project that I have spend the most time on hit a wall and has been slow going ever since, I'll likely implement this into my SoP. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List for most of my quarters. School scholarship for excellence in chemistry and biochemistry. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Undergraduate general chemistry and biochemistry lab TA General chemistry tutor for the school tutoring center President of an organic chemistry tutoring and test preparation club Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: None that I'm aware of.. Special Bonus Points: No. *sigh* Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applying to Where: Immunology programs only on the West coast due to personal/family reasons. (I know, it is rather limiting). OHSU (PMCB) University of Washington (Immunology) UC Davis (Immunology/Immune Signaling) UC San Diego (Immunology/Microbiology) UC Los Angeles (Biosciences) UC Irvine (Cell/Molec Bioscience/Immunology) U Arizona (Immunobiology) I still feel like I'm aiming a little bit too high and have no safety schools; none of the schools are especially easy to get into and I guess U Arizona seems to not like non-Arizonians.