aaahhhmyfuture

I'm regretting not submitting my applications earlier. A few of my professors said not to bother submitting anything early then major procrastination set in. But for those interested (still waiting), I submitted my material probably two days early.

@keviv1692: I got an invite to UMass Med School, and they said the first interview weekend was almost full in my invite email. I'm assuming this means they have sent out at least one batch before today's. @Tanids : You should at least ask about a hotel. The worst they can do is say no. I know one of the schools I was invited to specifically said they don't provide hotel/travel accommodations to students living less than x miles away. If they don't specifically say something like that, you're probably good.

@biochemgirl67 No, I would not say I was trying to "backdoor" my way into this program. The person who I was set up with has no bearing on admissions decisions, and the questions I asked him were solely about the atmosphere of the science programs at the school and the area surrounding it as well as a question about the structure of the program. I'm rather offended by your conclusion.

Hey you guys. I was emailing a POI that a family member had set me up with. I didn't really tell anyone where I was applying ahead of time, so this conversation was after I had applied. He replied to my family member when the three of us were communicating, but when I responded to him with a few questions, he did not answer. This was a week ago. Should I send a follow up email or just let it be? (The set up was largely at the extreme desire of my family to feel helpful.)

Has anyone heard from UCSB MCDB? They are supposed to let everyone here by Dec 31st, and I haven't heard yet. I'm feeling a rejection because it's close to the Christmas Holiday, and I have heard nothing.

Congrats to all you guys getting interviews. I haven't heard from any of my programs yet. =/ But, last night I dreamt I got three conditional acceptances then failed to meet the conditions, and I woke myself up crying. So much fun during finals.

This would have been a great idea if I had noticed they had recommended pre-requisites that included calculus before I submitted my app. Future students reading this thread, read all the tabs on your departments page carefully. I'm hoping they really mean the *recommended* part of their sentence.

Thanks guys. I'll probably call and verify because I could take it next semester instead of my probability theory course if it is truly crucial. I hadn't really thought about Calc for microbiology programs.

On an unrelated note, How badly do you guys think not taking all the recommend pre-requisites will effect my chances? One of my schools recommends integral calculus, which isn't required for any of my majors. I have taken several math classes, but most of them are logic based courses not calculus.

I've lurked for so long. Congrats to people getting interviews. If anyone would be willing to read my SoP and give me feed back on if I address fit enough, I would be eternally indebted. Undergrad Institution: Big state schoolMajor(s): Molecular Biology and Computer ScienceMinor(s): ChemistryGPA in Major: 3.3 ish in bio because of all the chem classes required. 3.8 in comp sci, which is likely not helpfulOverall GPA: 3.6Position in Class: I don't knowType of Student: Domestic, femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 78%V: 92%W: 80%B: noResearch Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...) 2 years antibiotic resistance research in a small lab. I pretty much led everything myself, but the lab never published. 0.5 years doing genome analysis in a power house bioinformatics lab. Not very long because I needed to stop to focus on courses, but the professor wrote me a very nice letter. 1.5 years doing protein structure/mass spectroscopy work (this year I am working on an antimicrobial peptide project in the same lab so +0.5) 1 REU program on bacteriophage proteomes. I gathered proteome data and built a classifier to type phages from the data. The professor said she listed me in the acknowledgements of her paper on this work, but she stopped answering my emails after she told me this information. 1 summer internship in the quality of control labs at a company. Not super great because all my work is proprietary, but I mention it. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?) Won an award and a scholarship for best poster at the honors research poster presentation Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...) TA although I didn't mention that on my apps. Internship at big pharmaceutical company. President of Molecular Biology club. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I've taken a graduate tissue culture class that I did well in. Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...) One power house bioinformatics professor I conducted research with wrote me a letter. It may not carry as much weight, but I know he wrote me an amazing letter about how I push myself to try new things and understand new fields. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:Applying to Where: all PhDsUMass Medical School - Basic and Biomedical Sciences - Micro/Immunology Boston U - Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and biochemistry WUSTL - Biology Georgetown - Micro/Immunology U Maryland - Molecular Biology (might have an in here) Iowa State - Bioinformatics (professor told me to apply and he would get me an interview) UCSB - Molecular Biology

It probably depends on the person and your relationship with them. One of my recommenders has invited the department to BBQ's at his house where there is alcohol; however, I get the feeling he would be upset if I gave him alcohol. Whereas another professor, takes our lab to a bar every semester, has taken his 10 mon old to a brewery, and home brews. I will likely give the second professor beer as a gift. It is probably a combo of being comfortable with the person and knowing what they like.

Is anyone willing to look at my SoP with a mind for "fit". I would really appreciate it. I am struck by hero worship each time I read a faculty research page, and just want to work everywhere. Thanks!