[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

So, having not heard back from any of my schools yet, I'm probably going to send out a few more applications to less competitive programs. I know it's not a nail in the coffin at all, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So I know University of Oregon Biochemistry and University of Arizona Biochemistry have Jan. 5th deadlines, does anybody else know of any decent schools whose programs in Biochemistry have later application deadlines?

[Honest Feedback on my chances please]

I'm in a fairly similar situation to yourself, I graduated with about a 3.2 GPA (3.5 Jr/Sr years), but my GRE scores were 166/164/4.0, so only slightly higher. I've also worked for a year post grad, however, as an undergrad I worked at the same company part-time (so about 2.5 years experience). Thus all of my research has been in industry, and internal. From my understanding and conversations with advisors, this isn't viewed as a negative at all (some may even view it positively, a position within industry speaks to your ability to produce meaningful work). The fact that you have an undergrad publication goes a long way as well. 

I applied to similar schools as yourself, so here's to hoping we're both successful. 

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

1 minute ago, biochemgirl67 said:

Yeah, I'm hoping most lean towards the understanding end.  I just didn't know if it would be considered rude.  But I mean they can't really blame me for being a lab slave *cough* researcher and not getting paid, I hope.

I can't imagine it being rude to say "help me I'm poor". But no I'm sure if you contact the program they have a way of working things out. This can't be uncommon for graduate school applicants.

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

3 minutes ago, PlanB said:

You can dance around the grade/test scores issue all you want. The vast majority of people with a 2.9 would get rejected from U of Michigan. B/c at the end of the day we are talking about applying to graduate programs and if you could not handle undergrad classes....   

We're not in any real disagreement here, It's mostly that there's more to the entire process, and people are taking issue with the absolutism in your phrasing.

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

2 minutes ago, PlanB said:

http://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/sites/medicine.umich.edu.medschool/files/UMMS_PiBS_Info_2015.pdf

 

Data for the 2015 entering class for PIBS for U of Michigan

3.59, average undgrad gpa. 3.76 masters gpa. 

IDK the full extent of your situation. Maybe you had an steep upward trend? Maybe you went to a tough undergrad. 

So what you're saying is the admissions committee looked at their entire application and didn't discount them simply because of a low gpa? Weird.

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

As the individual whose profile sparked much of this debate about low GPA, I guess I'd like to say a few things.

First off, there's no offense taken from any criticism here. Frankly, if somebody gets hurt because of an individual pointing out an obvious weakness or being critical, then they probably don't belong in the sciences. I'd rather take his arguments as they stand and comment on the issue directly.

PlanB, you are right to acknowledge that a low GPA is a concern for any application. This should be obvious. However, as has been pointed out and is explicitly stated on the websites of multiple top tier programs, applications are graded holistically. I would argue that the correlation of high GPAs with qualified applicants is no surprise, but from my discussion with advisors and a few adcom members, I don't think they weigh GPA nearly as heavily as you suggest. In particular, for a candidate with research experience and strong LORs with a convincing SOP, GPA becomes a non-issue.

I'll elucidate some of the thought process that went into my application. At the very least it will be useful for future applicants or make for interesting discussion. I knew that my GPA was shit going into the application process, which is part of why I waited until I had an additional year of full-time industry experience post graduation to apply. This gave me the opportunity to take graduate level classes my senior year (so that adcoms would actually see those grades), perform very well in them, and bolster my research experience. 

My GPA also resulted from a few extenuating circumstances, namely my diagnosis with cancer during my sophomore year, and one year after my recovery followed the return of my father's cancer for the third time. During these next two years I worked part-time, did well in my classes, all while assisting my father through a slow decline. My advisor (who wrote one of my LORs) was explicitly aware of all of these facts, and I left it up to him to address that in his letter. I didn't want to make any excuses for my early years, so in a supplemental statement for most schools all I said was this, verbatim

" I will keep this short as I also address this in my statement of past work. Although a number of circumstances led to a GPA that does not represent my potential, I have no desire to make excuses for this fact. Instead, I will reassert that the process I went through led to great personal development in terms of both maturity and motivation, and I would not change this experience. The ability to learn from my missteps, and then move forward constructively has played an integral role in my success in other areas. This is evidenced by my GRE scores, academic improvement, and my professional and research achievements. These factors are much more indicative of my dedication, as well as preparation and potential for graduate study. "

The point I'm trying to make is that PlanB's criticism isn't unwarranted, but I think the broader message should be that if somebody with a low GPA wants to apply to good programs then they have to make up for that in other areas. For me, it wasn't a concern I just brushed over, but my choices and approach was very calculated around this fact. I would expect the same for anybody in my shoes if they want to have any hope of being successful.

Anyways, I say all of this with the full acknowledgement that my choices were ambitious, but intentionally so. As far as my approach above, I acknowledge I could just be blowing hot air out my ass, and may not be successful at all. That will play out in the next month or two, but I appreciate the discussion people are having and hope it continues.

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

18 minutes ago, Caffeine Junky said:

Ive been refreshing this page so often i might as well contribute!

Undergrad Institution: Huge state school, rising reputation for biotechnology/biomedical sciences but nothing amazing/horrible that would significantly matter on an application, also in Honors College 
Major(s): Biotechnology
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.61
Overall GPA: 3.464
Position in Class: Pretty average/slightly above
Type of Student: first-generation female

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q:156
V:160
W:4
B:


TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this)

Research Experience: 2.5 years in a lab at my university doing research on microRNAs in prostate cancer. I have had a few independent projects funded through the university and have worked directly with the grad student on his thesis work (I will be second author when he publishes that). Presented a poster as first author at an undergraduate conference and presented a poster as second author at an international conference on noncoding RNAs. It was hard to not be able to put any publications because of how long I've been in that lab, but we are in the process of writing and this paper includes >3 years of work so I tried to emphasize that in my letter. (Don't want Ad. Coms to wonder why I've been there for so long with no publications :/ ) Participated in 2 summer fellowships through the university and have been awarded the Undergraduate Research Grant each semester I have conducted research.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Research and Mentoring Program Research Scholar

Gerontology Research Award

YES NSF (young entrepreneurs and scholars from NSF research fellowship)

Undergraduate Research Grant 

Honors Society 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for Group Effort Applied Research (new research lab course at my university started by my PI)

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Very active in K-12 community, volunteered as teachers assistant at Title 1 (90% impoverished) elementary schools and volunteer as a STEM ambassador, was assistant coordinator of STEM Day when 1500 K-12 kids come to my university to learn about science

Special Bonus Points: female, first-generation, met one-on-one with a couple of faculty members at Scripps and UPenn prior to applying (not really bonus point, just hoping they remember me and vouch for me when they review my application).

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Unfortunately, my PI is not big on positive reenforcement, and she is a very tough woman to please. I didn't know until I asked her for a LOR that she is not one for gushing over students in her letters. I never got to see my finished letter from her, but I saw a rough draft and it was less than amazing (really hope she came through on the final letter). She didn't speak negatively of me at all, she just didn't really say much that would make Ad. Com think, "omg we have to have this girl!!!" Since I told her I would not like to pursue my Ph.D at my undergraduate university with her, she has been very upset with me and takes it out on me whenever she can (not complaining or making excuses whatsoever, I just want people evaluating me to know everything!) Still keeping my head up, hoping my application package is overall good enough to negate her mediocre letter! (other letters: one from professor who knows me well, one from research advisor who I know wrote me a great letter).

Applying to Where: UPenn- Cancer Biology, Scripps, Vanderbilt- IGP, UT Southwestern, U Miami- PIBS, FSU, UCF, FIU, FAU, USF (all the last ones are Florida schools- kind of safety schools and I just love florida :D)

Weird that your PI would be upset, I know most profs at my undergrad encourage students not to pursue a PhD at their bachelor's institution. You would hope she would not be petty enough to sabotage you.

That being said, I think your research experience should speak for itself! Plenty of students produce no papers during their undergraduate work, so it's hardly expected to be published. Even having a paper in production, especially contributing to a thesis, is a huge leg up. I'm sure the duration you spent in one lab will be looked upon positively as well, as it speaks to your ability to commit.

 

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

I used to be pre-med as well, but realized I was much better suited for research.

Interestingly enough, the entire biochemistry department at my school has blacklisted pre-med students from their labs. A couple of PIs told me they refuse to hire them as undergrad researchers, mostly because they only ever seem to want lab experience for their med apps without actually engaging the research. Not to knock on pre-meds, but that's just what I was told.

Edit: I should clarify I was told this by a few of the PIs I am personal friends with after I graduated, not told this when I applied to work in their labs.

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

Thanks for all the feedback! I don't disagree with biochemgirl specifically, my GPA is clearly the weakest part of my application. I definitely knew UCSF was stringent about this, but I figured I might as well apply as I love SF.

I addressed my GPA directly in my SOP, albeit briefly. Mostly I just said that it happened due to a variety of factors in my past, my improvement is a demonstration of tenacity, but the experience contributed significantly to my growth and development and I wouldn't change that fact. Then I moved on and focused on my strengths.

The tension is killing me, that's for sure.

P.S. Anybody who applied to UC Denver BMS, I had some contact with their program administrator and she said they wouldn't be meeting to officially decide on interviews until the 15th.

[2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

So I've seen a lot of amazing application profiles on here, and I thought I would post mine for some feedback.

Undergrad Institution: Big State School - Well respected for sciences / engineering
Major(s): Biochemistry
Minor(s): 
GPA in Major: 3.2
Overall GPA: 3.11 (Really poor early years when I didn't try, then ~3.5 for Jr/Sr years - "A"s in graduate level Immunology, RNA Biochemistry, and Biomolecular Physics)
Position in Class: No rankings. Only 2 students graduated above a cumulative 3.5, none above a 3.7.
Type of Student: Domestic White Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 164 (88%)
V: 166 (96%)
W: 4.0
B: Not Taken


TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this)

Research Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...)

As an undergrad I was hired at a private company as an intern instead of working for a professor. I worked there for about 2 years part-time, then was offered a full-time position upon graduation. I graduated in 2015 though, so I have about 2.5 current years research experience. Most of our research is proprietary (analytical biochem), so I have no publications. However, I worked on a project which resulted in the development of a new product (which nets our company a healthy sum), multiple large scale analytical projects, have done methodology R&D, and have recently begun assisting our company with clinical trials studying certain supplementation effects on muscle metabolism and strength.

Being within industry, I feel like my research experience is a bit different than most of the profiles I looked at, so I have no idea how that will be received.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?)

Nothing of note, I'm an Eagle Scout but I doubt they care about that.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...)

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: 

Grad classes with good grades, should have excellent LORs.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

UCLA - Biochemistry

Wisconsin Madison - IPiB

U of Michigan - BMS

Colorado Denver - BMS

UCSF - BMS

U of Washington - Biochemistry

UC Davis - Biochemistry