laxgoal100

Your professors will understand. And in the long run what's more important? Your last semester/quarter grades or the next 4-6 years of your life? At least that's how I'm gonna look at it.

Thanks for the info. I'm not really expecting to get in there, but good to know there may still be a chance!

I saw one UCSF Tetrad interview today... did anyone get this??

Woohoo!!!! finally my first interview!! University of Washington Dept. of Biochemistry!! So happy and very relieved

It seems like they should start rolling in today I hope. Although no expectations with that one haha

Has anyone gotten a yale bbs bbsb track invite yet?

I appreciate your confidence! haha

Man, none of my programs have sent out any interviews yet (from what I can tell) except for northwestern IBIS. I guess UCSF tetrad will probably go out tomorrow if history repeats itself! Although no expectations there. I just want an invite somewhere!

Congrats to the people receiving interviews. Man I'm nervous... I hope one comes soon!

you'll be fine

That sounds like a tough situation, I'm sorry to hear that. I have heard from a few people that it is generally frowned upon in the life sciences to do your PhD at the same institution as your undergrad or masters. I'm not really sure why that is, though. Hope it works out for the best in your case.

Congrats, I'm jealous of people getting invites already!! ah.

I think that you are right, but I also think that adcoms understand that not everyone (such as myself) has experience with 2-3 different PI's. I have conducted research for over a year in the same lab, and will only be receiving one "research-driven" LOR from my PI. That being said, I expect it to be a very strong letter. One of the other letters is from a fairly well known professor who co-authored a popular biochemistry text book and the other is from a professor that I took a very intensive upper-div inquiry driven lab class from. While these letters may not be as strong as the one from my PI, I think that they will still be able to evaluate my potential for graduate study to some degree. Good deal for the people who have all of that diverse experience and multiple PI letters, though. On a side note, I would guess that the population of this forum is skewed towards extremely motivated (and slightly obsessive ) students such as my self. It is probably fair to say that many of us have higher stats than your average applicant, so I think that is important to take into consideration when trying to compare yourself to others on this board. Sometimes I feel like a huge underachiever compared to you all, but I have been repeatedly told that I have solid chances of getting into the programs I am applying to. Just my two cents.

Finally done with all 10 apps. Now to eagerly wait while my last LOR gives me a heart attack from being a last minute-er.

I emailed one from each school basically asking whether they would be accepting students into their lab for the coming year. It would suck to have a few people in mind, apply to the school, get in, and realize that the people you want to work for aren't accepting new students. Just my two cents.

And Focus, I retook the GRE and did much better this time: 80% Q, 81% V, and 80% Writing :)

Yeah, I'm glad I caught it before all 10 were sent in. Although it is in my top choice program's. Thanks for the feedback and oh well!

ahh i sent in 4 applications with this typo in my SOP: "My experiences teaching under-represented youth at the local Boys and Girls Club as well as at -school name- have shown me the positive impact that sharing my excitement for science for can make on the lives of others." It's kinda buried in the middle of a paragraph. I'm hoping readers will be skimming enough to miss it. What do you guys think? I'm guessing asking to re-submit would be a bad idea...?

Thanks for the encouraging words, Focus

Less than stellar stats to even out the field here! Anyone think I stand a chance... even with the poor GRE? Undergrad Institution: Medium State School, good biochem/chem reputationMajor(s): BiochemistryMinor(s): noneGPA in Major: 3.4Overall GPA: 3.35 (3.8 for last 100 credits. Freshman year was unproductive to say the least)Position in Class: no clueType of Student: domestic maleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 154 (56%) arghhhhV: 157 (76%)W: not sure but probably fine B: maybe? Really not sure how I did so badly, despite actually studying and doing significantly better on practice quant sections. I think I just got freaked out... I seriously suck at standardized tests. Will be retaking, I guess. Research Experience: 1) One year (will be 2 by grad) of molecular biology research into ubiquitin-proteasome pathways and glutamate receptor trafficking in C. elegans (2 poster presentations including one at a international symposium, wrote and was awarded a small internal grant). Will be completing an honors thesis by graduation. 2) One summer in an environmental analytical chem lab developing a protocol to detect taste and odor compounds in drinking water. 3) Not research, but I am a lab tech.. I teach people to use a scanning electron microscope I also operate GCMS and LCMS. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Honor Roll here and there, will be graduating with honors and doing a thesis.Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Have tutored organic chemistry, lab tech position, volunteer within the university to promote student body healthAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:Special Bonus Points: I think my PI will write me a great letter as I have worked very closely with her this past year. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:Applying to Where:U of Washington - Biochemistry UCSD - Biology OHSU - PMCB CU Boulder - MCDB University of Michigan - PiBs Northwestern - iBis UC Irvine - CMB Oregon State Univ - Biochemistry UNC -BBSP Will probably tack one or two more onto this list