Neuro PolarBear

Logging out of the ETS website and logging back in worked when this problem happened to me. If you got an email confirmation the scores will be sent.

I've had a problem with NYU, as well. Is your application through the Embark system? If so, it's very unclear in the email that the profs receive that the recommedation is for NYU and it got stuck in the spam folder for one of my professors.

Yes, definitely apply. A lot of programs, including Rockefeller, are more likely to accept undergrads, those that did SURF or other REUs, Amgen, etc., worked as a tech, and have rec letters from Profs at the University they're applying to. I'd emphasis the SURF program in your SoP and be sure to mention how it informed how much Rockefeller would continue to be a good fit for you. Best of luck!

If he doesn't have any relation to the History department, I wouldn't mention it.

It looks like you have a fairly extensive list of schools. I hope you don't get bogged down with the applications and that you're able to tailor each one to each specific program.

I'm also applying to NYU and Columbia for Neuroscience! If you wanted to stay in NYC, you could also consider CSHL and Rockefeller? Your research experience is the most impressive out of anyone I've seen on this forum. You shouldn't be worried at all about your GPA!

If you're interested in cancer biology, why wouldn't you apply to Sloan or MD Anderson? Also JHU is strong with Vogelstein etc. Your SoP should focus more on the field and general questions you want to ask but you're not expected to already know what your PhD project will be.

I'm still against it. Lots of programs that "strongly recommend" it really don't care that much and they won't know whether you took it and did poorly or didn't take it at all. Your demonstrated ability to do well in graduate coursework far outweighs the subject test, and you don't want to undermine that. Furthermore, I'm sure the types of math / applied mathematics that one does during a PhD doesn't even come close to what was covered on the subject test, so graduate programs know that it's not a good indicator of anything.

I wouldn't submit it. If you did well in your masters program at a top school and have strong recommendations, I think you should be all set. How'd you do on the general GRE?

What type of program are you applying to? For something like physics, obviously calc would be required, and stats is quite good to know no matter what program you're in. Is there a way to demonstrate your knowledge of stats in your SoP or elsewhere even if you haven't taken a formal class in it?

That list of schools is quite competitive, but it looks like you have a fair amount of research experience and a decent GPA. Do you know how your LoRs will be? I bet you'll have a strong one from your Immunology lab, but I don't think DWIC letters have as much weight as those that can speak to your ability to do research. Your GRE scores also look a little low to me, but normally these aren't weighted as heavily. Have you considered applying to a broader range of schools? Or, you could always try for those ones and see what happens. If you don't get into your top picks, you could always consider working as a technician or research assistant somewhere for a year or two before applying again.

Hi Spintix. I'd take a good look at the prompt again since it very clearly spells out what to do in your response. The prompt presents one argument and you are first supposed to identify the assumptions underlying this argument, and then show how these assumptions are questionable / illogical / unreasonable so that the conclusion of the argument (Littleville Mall can expect a similar return on revenue in the first year) is unsound. Then, it tells you to suggest what sort of evidence would tighten or refute this argument. I think there's two ways you can approach the structure of your response. First, you can list all the silly assumptions the argument makes, and loosely group them into two categories / focus on two key assumptions in your first two body paragraphs. Then, you can have a 3rd body paragraph on the evidence you still need / how to refine the argument. Or, for each assumption you can list what the argument assumed, why this assumption doesn't necessarily fit with their conclusion, and what evidence is actually need. For this essay, I'd go back over the prompt, outline a response, and then rewrite your essay in about 30 minutes. I wouldn't be so strict on time at first, but with an outline of what you know you want to say, see how much of that you can actually cover. A little outlining goes a long way. In your intro and each paragraph, try to be more explicit about how you are answering the prompt. This shouldn't only become obvious in the last sentence of each paragraph. Tie everything back to the assumptions of the original argument. Hope this helps! Luckily, the prompts for every argument essay are about the same, so once you get the hang of it, it should start to seem very familiar (they present a flawed argument, you discuss why it's flawed and how to improve it by getting additional evidence that will answer the original argument's shaky assumptions).

Most programs don't care that much about AWA and understand that it can be difficult to write under pressure. Verbal and GPA/ SoP/ recommendations all count much more, and your verbal score is quite good! If I were you though I might think about retaking it to see if you can boost your quant up to ~160. What type of programs are you applying to?

Submitted mine yesterday after my PI suggested I revise it with ~1hr until the deadline! Best of luck to all the applicants this year.

With that GPA and research experience, you should definitely apply! I don't know for certain how things work for chemistry, but in my field (neuroscience) even the programs like Stanford that recommend it but don't require don't actually care about it. It could be a little different for chem programs since there's a dedicated subject test but since Williams is such a strong school, and you have a great GPA, GRE scores, and fantastic research experience, you're more than all set. If anything, if you took it and did poorly, I would think that it could even hurt your application. As of now, I'm sure there's no doubt in your abilities as a chemist. I went to a similarly ranked school and didn't do as well on the Biochem subject test as I would have liked, so I don't think I'm going to submit it, even to the schools that recommend it. If you're still concerned, maybe reach out to a couple of program directors and PI and see what they say? Good luck!