cumulina

Just curious, why do you still want to consider columbia if you didn't get a good impression from the interviews? You're always going to find someone who will advocate for a program but that doesn't mean it's right for you. Go to a place where you had great interviews and like people you've talked to. Don't over think it and you'll be fine.

dartmouth doesn't deserve you!

I wouldn't be too direct about it. Maybe say something like "I really enjoyed the visit, it was a fantastic program etc." From what I heard, the likeliness of someone attending is considered.

nope. at least not of the program? their multiple appointments/affiliations confuses me

yeah, I got an unofficial acceptance today

How do you feel about your programs now that you're on the other side? I know research fit is very important, but putting that aside, is doing research in a different city really all that different? do you think you'd be able to get a similar educational experience elsewhere? Please and thank you!

sorry poor choice of words, I meant the only way he won't get in would be if he comes across as racist

apply anywhere you want. apart from being a blatant racist you'll get in.

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. This is just coming from my experiences, so make of it what you will. Unfortunately GPA is very much a consideration for potential grad students. However, A solid GRE(as high as you can) will alleviate some concerns over your GPA, or at least get your application past initial glances. Every school is different so just focus on improving what you still have control over. In your case, and probably every other case too, I would definitely ask your letter writers for advice on programs and PIs with related research, It's mind boggling how chummy PIs are with each other even across the country(internationally too!). As much as you'd like to think connections don't play a role in the process, they do have some sway, and in your situation(still not a bad one btw), having a recommender that knows faculty in a prospective program can warrant your application a second look. Just relax and try to convey your love of research(specifically research not just science in general) through your application. good luck!

Try using NIH reporter (just google "nih reporter") and look up keywords(virology/immunology or be as specific as you want) and it'll show funded projects with PI's/institutions/funding amount/ and project descriptions. I think there's an actual "related projects" search once find an interesting one. It's a great way to get started plus it'll save you the trouble of shuffling through program websites one by one. I would also consider overall funding, like @Bioenchilada said, to get a sense of how much support a school can provide; more money is never a bad thing(in this case at least). As far as getting in w/o pubs, you'll be fine. I think they just want to see that you were involved and contributed to your labs which is where your recommendations and ability to talk about your projects can more than account for. You have a great application. good luck!

Well I pretty much applied to the program because there was this one guy I wanted to work with, and I've been talking to him a bit and it looks like he won't be taking new students. I was a little interested in a 1-2 other people, but after the interviews it looked like they were taking their research in directions that differed from my interests. am I being too rash??

I do agree with you guys. The quality and level of involvement make a HUGE difference in terms of research experience. My first year I was doing maybe 20 hours/week and the past half year (new lab) I've been involved 40-50 hours/week, and being involved full-time is a totally different ball game. My guess is the adcoms picked up on that. I've reached out to two programs, I applied to, and they've encouraged me to keep in touch with them, they want to "track my progress" and to actually reapply next year. So I'm very hopeful for the next cycle. either that or this could be the bait of the century

I thought it would be extremely helpful for everyone (or at least entertaining), to see what reasons certain programs gave for turning down amazing applicants such as yourselves. I'll start. I contacted a few schools and the majority told me that my research experience is what raised concerns over my application and that another year of experience would push me over the hump(I had about 1.5 years when I applied). I was told, specifically, that my GPA/GRE was not a concern (3.5 GPA/161Q157V for context).Is this just a general response? I'm interested to see what other reasons are out there. Also, for those with heart warming reapplication stories, I'm wondering what you think made the difference the second time around.

got placed on the waiting list for Duke(DSCB), was told I would get an answer before april? seems a little strange to me

Rejected from 6 schools.... and one acceptance. I can't stop smiling! good luck to the rest of you!

welp i guess they're just keeping me on the hook then

Funny story actually, I emailed one of the schools literally saying that "I have prior commitments", but they straight up replied, "is it possible to get the other school to reschedule?". So I'm thinking being honest would just be easiest for everyone. I may just be over thinking the whole punctuality of the process. There can't possibly be any harm in asking how long I have to confirm the date. This whole process might just be stressing the common sense out of me. I also wanted to make sure I wouldn't get any blow back for not hastily accepting any offer from the programs I've applied to. Thanks!

Right?! I was corresponding with both schools A and B (before any travel arrangements were made) and they both were very adamant about having only 1 interview date. Both programs don't strike me as being particularly large and neither are part of an interdisciplinary program so perhaps they don't really expect as much traffic in this regard? I didn't explicitly decline the invite, but after I had told school B It was impossible for me to make their interview weekend I asked if there was anyway for me to still be considered and even offered to fly out on my own at a different date. I haven't heard from them since(2 weeks). At this point I'm assuming they aren't as enthusiastic about me to say the least. After my first invite, I thought I would wait a few days before accepting but they kept emailing me! I guess I should take this as a good sign? Anyway I think I'll take your advice and start accepting interviews as they come. I'm only waiting on a few more programs and from what I've read on here they've all had multiple weekends in past years. There shouldn't be any major scheduling issues right? Ha....ha....ha? Thanks for the insight!

First off, I'm happy to be getting a few interview invites. I've received 3 invites so far but all three programs invited me on the same weekend go figure... I've already declined my second invite from one of my top choices(school B ) because I had already accepted an invite to my absolute top choice(school A). Neither program was willing to budge on their scheduled date which I find strange? maybe it's just me. Now school C, has invited me on that same date with the option to reschedule, but they want a reason? would there be a problem with just outright saying I have another interview? This whole predicament has left me a little hesitant to readily accept any more invites out of fear for scheduling issues. So I also wanted to know how long do interview invites usually stay on the table?

I can't stop smiling!! I was getting so nervous because I haven't heard anything from the programs I applied to then BAM! duke invite! team no pubs!

Does anyone know what kind of an impact a paltry CV might have on applications? for example, one of the schools i'm applying to lists the CV as optional, so I'm inclined towards not sending it in. I was wondering if my CV with not much awards/honors/pubs could actually hurt my application or if sending in anything can only help?

Yeah I think I'm gonna retake it. Not just for my application but also because I know I can score better. It's just so expensive though . Haha I noticed that right after I posted, I'll make sure to get that right on my application. Thanks!

Hey all, I just wanted some input about my GRE scores. I scored V:157 Q:155, I was just wondering if I should retake it to raise my quant score (I'm pretty disappointed in it), but not too sure how much of a factor it will be. I also have an undergrad gpa of 3.51,about 2 years research experience(no pubs), and am a Domestic applicant if that helps. I'm looking to apply to U pitt, Uillinois Urbana-champagne, UCSF, UT-southwestern, UT-MD anderson, Duke, and maybe vanderbilt. pretty much all developmental bio programs. appreciate it.

I don't know if you're seriously considering U of Hawaii, given the other schools you're looking at, but the advice I was given was to not apply to the Dev. Biology program due to lack of funds (the person I used to work for used to be the department head, I believe). I would instead apply to the cell and molec. program, and to my understanding you can still do rotations with the professors within the Developmental program as well as a lot of other faculty connected to the CMB program.