I've been looking at this website for years now, and I'm finally applying this coming cycle. Currently trying to figure out where I stand, and what schools are reasonably within my reach and also fit my research interests, and career goals.
Undergrad Institution: top 50 ranked LAC, decently well known Major(s): Biology Minor(s): not allowed, would have been chemistry GPA in Major: 3.77 (or 3.88 depending on how its calculated) Overall GPA: 3.66 Position in Class: School was very big on not ranking or having honors Type of Student: Domestic female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 163 (86%) V: 166 (96%) W: 4.5 (80%) B: haven't/won't take Research Experience:
I did research with the chemistry department at my school for almost two years looking at RNA structures. I did an REU where I studied quaternary DNA structures. I worked in a lab at Rockefeller for almost a year during my junior year through a program my school runs, where we synthesized small molecule drugs from soil microbe DNA libraries. I completed an independent thesis looking at the effects of a novel drug for the treatment of uveal melanoma.
I am now working as an IRTA at the NIH, working on cell-bio/ regulation of mitosis/chromosomes, and will have been here a year by the time I send out my applications.
I have a third author PNAS paper from my time at Rockefeller, and I will have authorship on the next paper that comes out of my current lab (which should be submitted in the next few months, so hopefully by the time applications are due.)
Ive presented at one national conference (very small NSF group), a regional conference, and in the next two months at an NIH IC conference and the postbac poster session.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
school didn't really do these, again, insecure about this.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
I was a TA for gen-chem classes for two years, a tutor for chemistry two years, biology for one year. I helped run our schools science outreach program for two years, and I was a TA (although it was slightly more intense than that) for a month-long science class mandatory for all freshmen at my college.
Currently trying to line up a volunteering position at a science museum. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Special Bonus Points: My current PI is pretty well known in her field, and is has implied that she'd like to keep me on as a grad student, which might help with the NIH-GPP programs.
I should have very strong letters of recommendation from her and my Rockefeller PI (co-signed by the post-doc I worked with), and my undergrad thesis advisor. She was simultaneously an assistant professor and working with her old lab at MIT. I'm still confused about wether to ask the post-docs I've worked with to write the letters, or the PI's. I also have two academic advisors from college; I worked really really closely with my thesis advisor, and am still in contact with her, but I only knew her a year, while my academic advisor knew me all four years of college, taught me twice and co-advised my project, I know both letters would be strong, I'm just not sure which would look better to adcoms. Applying to Where: (very, VERY, preliminary list, based mostly on geographic locations and advice from lab members)
I'd like to continue to study the molecular/genetic regulation of cancer. I'm also particularly fascinated by cancer stem cells. I don't have a super clear idea of what I want to study, just the general area. Anyway here is my current (crazy) list:
Stanford
UCSF
Johns Hopkins-NIH GPP
Vanderbilt
Duke
Yale
Northwestern
Columbia
UCSD
Oxford
Cambridge
NIH-Oxcam (number one choice really, but the competition is so insane...)
University of Washington
Princeton
Harvard
MIT
I know this list is insane in both length and competitiveness, so any advice on less ridiculous programs, opinions on the ones I've listed, and my overall competitiveness as a candidate would be much appreciated.
Also if anyone has advice about applying to (or attending) programs in the UK I would love to talk to you. My PI did her PhD at Cambridge, and she's really persuaded me that it might be the way to go, but I'd like to hear more opinions on the matter.
