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I'm in a bit of quandary in regards to my LOR. I have one professor from my school who is willing to write a letter explaining things about my personality but not academic performance ( he doesn't remember me, we were 2000 student in class, yes 2000). The letter he can send is generic for any student. On the other hand, I could get a letter from an accomplished postdoc. whom I work with for more than one year. He published three papers as a first author, one of them in science.

Hi again, Two of my recommenders want to upload their letters next week. The third one wants to do it the last week of November since he's going to be away. Is it possible to provide the contact information for the first two now, for the automated email to be generated and sent to them now, then the third recommender later?

Actually it's in nature. I think the initial review won't take more than one month. I have previous experience with them.

Is it okay to send a recommendation letter from an alumnus? I don't have any work/education experience with this person. It's going to be based on a meeting that I will have with him, during which I will show him my credentials and my deep interest in this school. This letter would be supplementary ( Not one of the main 3). The program is Biomedical Science. The alumnus is very well accomplished and community leader physician.

Could I add a submitted paper on my resume? It's under review. If yes, can I mention the name of the journal.

Anyone please?

ETS website states that ( About 10–15 days after your test date, your official scores will be available in your My GRE Account, and your scores will be sent to the score recipients you designate. ). Assuming that the 4 designated institutes will be receiving scores by Nov. 27th. What about the other schools on my list. If have the score at My GRE account on 27th Nov. and send to the rest to the list that day, how long would it take to get there?

When does the program contact the recommender? Is it after I submit the whole application or once I list the name of the recommender and save it?

For example I'm interested in the Molecular Medicine track at the biological and biomedical science program at Yale : (http://medicine.yale.edu/bbs/about/how.aspx ) How should my recommender address the letter? Dear Molecular Medicine Program director?

Even if it's the same application. Most of these programs have one online application.

I'm making a list of all the programs I'm considering, to be sent to my recommender. How should I name the program? Should I just name as its in the admission website section ( Biological and Biomedical Science), or should I name the subdivision of my interest ( Immunology). To whom the recommender should address his/her letter?

Hi, Is there any recent ranking for cancer research programs? I'm looking for programs with solid translational research, specifically cancer therapy.

Hi, I'm applying for molecular medicine PhD programs. Most of the schools I'm applying for have Dec. 1st as a deadline. I haven't started anything in the application process and I'm getting panicked. 1- My GRE exam will be in Nov. 13, means the results would be a couple of some time around Nov. 28th if not later. 2- I'm still writing my personal statement and other essays. I think I'll be ready by Nov. 15th. 3- I have two recommenders so far, one of them will be away the the last two weeks of Nov. he asked me for a draft and I did. But he doesn't have the list of programs I'm applying for, neither the GPA, GRE scores. 4- I haven't even opened online accounts. 5- My transcript is not ready yet, It will be sent to me by the end of this month. Where should I start? Should I start by opening online account although I don't have any materials to provide yet. Should I start by contacting the recommenders and send them the list of programs I'm applying for. Please help.

Hi, I'm trying to understand a very basic thing about LOR. How should they be sent? I have two US based recommenders who are familiar with system here, and one foreign recommender. The way it's done back there that the professor handle you the letter and you send it to whatever school you are applying. How about here? Does each school provide a link where the recommender upload the letter to? Or should the recommender go to somewhere in there website to upload it. I'm clueless.

Hi, Do you think that contacting PIs and trying to pursue them to recommend me to the review committee is a good idea? Based on my preparation, I'm not expecting great GRE score, but I have solid research background, publication, doctorate degree, good GPA and LORs. I thought by doing so I'd avoid the primary filtering of applications based on the GRE scors. On the other hand, I'm afraid that contacting them directly would bring me harm if nothing.

I'm taking my GRE on Nov. 13th. Would I be able to get the results before deadline ( Dec. 1st. )?

Thank you for your input guys, I decided to stay.

Here is my case, I'm working as a research assistant in a good lab/school, planning to apply this December for PhD programs in a related field ( I work in basic biology science and my plan to apply for translational research programs). I'm basically not doing well at this lab, a lot of mistakes I have done, no matter I do, the image that my coworkers have on me won't shake. I'm not enjoying the research topic here, I guess this is the main reason I'm not putting a lot of effort to perform better. Why I joined them the first place; I needed a job, a research experience to build my resume, that was the best place I was able to secure. Now, I really can't take it anymore, everyday there is a problem, a mistake, an experiment ruined, a condescending talk from the boss or the postdoc. I'm staying because the boss believed in me and hired me, I don't wan't to let him down, also I don't want to leave with bad terms before the application season, I need his recommendation letter. What should I do? Should I stick to the lab for two or three more months until I'm done with the application? Pros : - I might perform better and get a better LOR. - The school/ lab has a big name that's going to weigh heavily on my resume. - I'm paid ! Cons : - A lot of pressure. _ Distraction from the GRE preparation. Or should I leave now and start looking for a research that I really like, I still have one whole year until the proposed start date of grad school. Pros: - I think I will be happier. - A fresh start. _ I might apply to this school( nothing secured yet) PhD program then continue my research at the same lab ( that would shorten my PhD time - I'm not that young for grad school). Cons: - The probability of getting a bad LOR from my current boss is higher ( Loosing the loyalty point). - There is no lab that's offering me a position yet, no secured job, I'll be in the street. What should I do?

Thank you all, that was a very good news for me.

Hi, I just started preparing for GRE. I don't think I'll be ready before Nov. 1st. Do you think It's safe to take the test around that time and to have the results sent to programs with Dec. 1st deadlines. Thank you,

Hi again, do you think PhD programs in clinical and experimental therapeutics/ drug development is more desirable in have more options in industry? Another thing, a friend of mine told me that for a scientist to work in industry is like reaching a ceiling, means you can't make progress there in term of job ranking and income.

I understand this section deals with jobs after graduation but what about during grad school? I intend to apply for next year biomedical phd programs, I have MD degree from overseas, I'm US citizen. What sorts of part-time jobs I could do during my school years. Most schools provide stipend and tuition waive but that won't be enough for me and my family ( a wife and a three year old kid). Another question, I'm planning to to apply for schools outside big cities like NYC and Chicago just to avoid high rents. However, If I go to small towns I'd definitely need a car+ insurance while I won't need that in NYC for example, It seems I'll end up even.

Thank you for your responses Eteshoe and Ballwera, 1- I've applying for postdoc. positions for over a year, It seems that a first authored paper is a must to get such a position. I always search at postdocjobs.com, please let me know if you know better sites. I tried to take USMLE clinical skills and failed, I still can take it again of course but having a second attempt + being an old graduate would make my chances very low. Only a PhD or postdoc fellowship can put me back on track. I chose phD because - to my knowledge - it's the only way to get higher education and have a little money to support my family

Hello everyone, I'm applying for graduate school this December and I need some guidance in regards to choosing and deciding the subject of my studies. I have a foreign MD degree, my primary plan is to finish PhD in either Immunology or Molecular Medicine and then to apply for medical residency programs ( speciality : clinical pathology ). I have the option of applying now but first I need to take USMLEs ( US medical licensing exams ). I won't have a good chance if I do so since I'm an international graduate who graduated more than 5 years ago which will badly affect my application. My only way is to get PhD/ 1st author paper/ high USMLE scores to be considered as a competitive applicant. I did two years of pathology research at an Ivy league university, have 3 publications ( not a first author). Hopefully, I will get good LOR from my mentor, my GPA 3.7, haven't taken GRE yet, I'm a US citizen. Getting a spot in a residency program is getting harder every year for foreign graduates. I don't know how it's going to be in five or six years from now. Because of that I started to consider an alternative plan. I don't wish to finish PhD and fail to to get accepted in a residency program and then work as a postdoc. I will be 37 by that time, I have family, It's going to be very tough for us financially during graduate school, there is no need for the misery to continue afterward. My questions : What biology/ biomedical programs that have a potential for biotech industry and businesses. Thank you