SpartanNerd1021
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Posts posted by SpartanNerd1021
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Finally heard back from UMass Boston saying that I have been accepted, but already accepted an offer at Boston College. Oh well!
- levodopa and laxgoal100
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4 hours ago, breaker746 said:
So happy the interviews and everything done but really torn between east coast and west coast -- none of the schools really made me go head over heels which is making the decision process tougher. I guess at the end of the day for most of us there are no "wrong" choices but for those who have to make tough choices what are some deciding factors you are/have used? I wonder how much I should weight: where I think I would have most fun, alignment of research interest, access to post-grad opportunities, where I'd want to settle long term among other things.
I was in the same boat choosing between Notre Dame and Boston College. I had a good time at both and there was research happening at both that I liked. It was one of the hardest decisions to make. But I asked for a lot of advice from advisors and current PhD students at my school. They all said Boston because I'd have access to a lot of collaborators, conferences, seminars, etc. And it would be better for networking so it potentially would be easier getting a postdoc position later on. Those factors and locations ultimately made my choice in the end since everything else was similar at both schools. I knew I'd have more fun in Boston for 6 years than in Indiana. Hope that helps you!!!
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Officially accepted the offer at Boston College! Can't wait to live in Boston for the next 5-6 years!!!
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I'm having troubles deciding between Boston College and Notre Dame. I liked both programs and would be happy at either but I liked ND a bit more. The one huge thing about BC is that they do a lot of collaborations with Harvard, MIT, Tufts, etc. and I'd make some great connections and know I would get a pretty good post doc position after. Any advice is welcomed!!!
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Finally got an official rejection from Tufts Biology
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Just got a phone call from Boston College saying I have been accepted!!! Now to make a tough decision between Notre Dame and BC.
- ballwera, Gram Neutral, biosci and 3 others
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Accepted to Notre Dame Biology today!! I'm going to grad school ???
- ballwera, Bioenchilada, levodopa and 4 others
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Has anyone heard anything from UMass Boston or Tufts? I know UMass doesn't do formal interviews so I'm not sure when I should be hearing back from them.
I also got an email from Harvard today saying that they were reviewing applications and I needed to submit a supplemental data form about financial aid. Weird since I thought they sent out all of their interview invites already.
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33 minutes ago, Gram Neutral said:
Well this is an odd string of events. I just got an interview invite to Notre Dame.
I'll be seeing you there if you go!
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36 minutes ago, SwimmerBio12 said:
Did anyone hear back from University of Notre Dame recently or know when they will notify applicants? I know that the interview/recruitment weekend is on February 11-14. I am losing hope on ND since it is getting close to recruitment weekend. If I don't hear back from them by the end of next week, it is most likely a rejection. Crossing fingers!
I received an interview invitation back on December 17th and then got an email from a PI that I was interested in working with saying that he told the adcom to invite me and gave me a bunch of information/papers about his lab. I also got an email yesterday about menu options for the luncheon they are having for us. Sorry to say but I am pretty sure they have probably sent out all of their interview invites
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21 minutes ago, ForScience! said:
I got an email from them:
Thank you for your interest in the PhD program in the Department of Biology at Boston University. The Admissions Committee was very impressed with your record. Based on their overwhelmingly positive evaluation I am pleased to invite you to attend our Recruitment Weekend for potential graduate students, which will be:
Sunday, February 28 and Monday, February 29, 2016
I haven't confirmed with them yet whether I am going or not, since Rockefeller was on the same date. But now that I have been rejected from Rockefeller, I suppose I will send them an email tonight/Monday
congrats!
I didn't receive anything so I am assuming I didn't get an interview.
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1 hour ago, ForScience! said:
Rejected from Rockefeller.
Oh well, better now than getting a random email in MarchOn an off note, got an interview from Boston University.
I applied to BU Bio as well. Did you get a phone call or an email?
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Boston College Bio interview invite! SO excited. Boston is where I want to end up living
I would love some advice as how to handle this situation for the interview weekend. In the email I received from BC, it says to let them know if I require any travel transportation or hotels while in Boston. My sister currently lives in the city, so would it be okay to let them know I am staying with her rather than a hotel? I still would need transportation there. I live close enough where I can take an Amtrak train. The interview is Thursday and Friday, but I'd like to stay the whole weekend. Should I ask for a one way train ticket or just pay for my own ticket? I feel like it doesn't look good for me to ask for a round trip train ticket when I'm staying an extra two days.
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2 hours ago, lindydhr19 said:
Hey guys, do you know if Harvard MCO has sent out all of their invitations?
I have been wondering this too. I emailed and called but haven't received a response yet. I am going to assume they have sent them all out.
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For anyone who applied to Northwestern IBiS, I just got an email from the assistant director of the program for Biology and they are still reviewing applications. She said interview invites will continue to be extended through the next two weeks!
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55 minutes ago, PlanB said:
Please read SpartanNerd1021 post. He had a low undergrad GPA, did not get in anywhere, and then got a masters and got into better programs.
I actually had a 3.8 GPA after graduating in undergrad, with a 4.0 GPA in my major classes. I applied to only top tier programs (ivy leagues), which was a big mistake. I should have applied to a wider range of schools. That combined with a very low/average GRE score and not enough research experience are why I was rejected based off of feedback from admissions committees.
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On December 27, 2015 at 8:57 PM, fr0sting said:
Hi guys,
I'm concerned now that I'm not getting interviews for neuroscience PhD programs, about what kind of Masters program I should consider, to increase my chances?
I have a psych BA, and was wondering if I should get a Masters in the same field as the PhD (neuroscience) I'm aiming for? There aren't too many neuroscience Masters programs that I could find, so would a different subject for a Masters suffice? Would it look ok to get a masters in something else like Psych or Physiology?
My stats:
Overall GPA: 3.3 in undergrad college, not counting the courses I took in CC (apparently grad schools distinguished between GPA's in different colleges?)
Major (Psych) GPA: 3.8
GRE: 156 V / 156 Q / 4.5 AW
Research: 4 years in 2 neuroimaging labs, will be 1.5 in other clinical lab
no pubs
Again, I just think it's my overall GPA that weakened my application. That and re-taking the GRE will probably help. Or please suggest what I could do better next time!! Thanks!
I was in a similar situation as well. I was a neuroscience/psych double major and applied for neuro PhD programs. My GRE scores were the same as yours and I had two years of undergrad neuroscience research. I got rejected from everywhere (I applied to top tier programs only, which was a huge mistake). I decided to get a Master's degree because I knew it would prove that I could do graduate school work and I could get more research experience. I ended up at University of Pennsylvania and will be getting my master's in biotechnology. I also have gotten more wet lab experience in two different types of clinical research labs, which helped immensely in terms of my SOP, CV, and LOR's. I am now getting interviews to PhD programs in Biology and I'm convinced that it is because I did a master's degree and got more research experience.
I had to pay out of pocket for my degree, so it was expensive. If you can't get your master's funded, you really have to take in to consideration your finances, and make the judgment call if it's feasible. Like others have mentioned, it may be more cost effective to take some graduate level post-bac classes to boost your GPA and prove you can do graduate level work. I would HIGHLY suggest getting a research position in a lab as a tech. The more experience you have, the better your application will look going forward and it can only benefit you! I would also try retaking the GRE at least once, if not twice. Don't bother with the subject test if you've already taken all the necessary basic science classes. I think the subject test is only worthwhile if you're applying for a science related PhD program and have little science background.
Anyways, that's just my two cents!
Best of luck!
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Does anyone know if Northwestern iBIS has sent out all of their interview invites?
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1 hour ago, AgingBio123 said:
So has no one heard from Harvard MCO? I tried calling but no one seems to be around.
I haven't heard anything from Harvard MCO either and haven't seen anyone post about getting interview invites on here yet. Someone said that the adcom met later than usual this year so I am hoping for invites to be sent out in the next couple of days or right after the new year.
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I see Harvard BBS is sending out interview invites. Does anyone know if Harvard MCO is under a different umbrella program? I'm pretty sure that it is Biology and not Biomedical. I applied to MCO, so just wondering if I still have a chance!
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First interview invitation from Notre Dame Biological Sciences! So excited!! Hoping more will come soon
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27 minutes ago, gyrase said:
Star Wars is a definitely way to keep yourself occupied. So excited
PS... I see your username... Do you happen to attend a certain school in Michigan?
Gotcha. I'll just sit tight... I guess it could have been from a personal phone or something. Logged in and didn't see anything change on my app. I'll just be here nibbling on my fingers and trying to breathe
Haha yes, I do bleed green and white! Spent 5 years there for undergrad. All I want for Christmas is a national championship title. Go Green!!
Preparing for Grad School
in Biology
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My school sends out info about choosing rotations closer to the semester. They ask you to pick three PIs you want to rotate with and then put you with your first or second choice depending on scheduling, etc. I plan on working in my current lab for some of the summer to make some $$$. I'm also traveling to Europe with my boyfriend for a few weeks. I'm also couch surfing the month of August because my current apartment lease ends before my new apartment lease starts. I'm hoping to plan a solo adventure to Iceland too ?