Reputation from MCF10A - Page 2 - The GradCafe Forums

MCF10A got a reaction from BigThomason51 in Screwed Up an Interview February 21, 2017

Based on my experience it shouldn't be a big deal. I thought I screwed up 2 interviews at 2 schools because I didn't answer the follow-up questions about my own research well. I felt really bad, but I ended up receiving very positive emails from those two interviewers and got into both schools. Thing are usually better than we thought, so don't worry too much!

MCF10A reacted to Infinito in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 20, 2017

Two quick points to follow up on some of the conversations here.

1. If you are wait-listed, other people declining will rarely move you into the "admitted" zone. Every accepted individual has until April 15th to decline, which is when you also need to accept your acceptances to be safe. Because schools accept more people than they plan to have matriculate to get their desired class sizes, you need to consider that you might only be called off the wait-list only in some catastrophic circumstance, and most likely after April 15th. So if you're betting on this, think very carefully about your other options. Additionally, cajoling people into speeding up their thought processes in figuring out which school to attend is uncalled for; though, on the flip side, I did let go of schools after all my interviews were done if I couldn't see myself "going there," so people don't need to hoard schools that they know they ultimately won't go to.

2. Interviews are not only a test of fit for yourself, but also for the program honestly (as they'll be making close to half a million dollar investment in your education, at the minimum). Interviewers are coordinated by the best of the ability by a program's admin, so sometimes getting someone that you didn't want or ask for, or getting grilled, wasn't actually the intention by the admin - it just ended up that way. As stated above, the admins know which professors are known to grill. This is usually frowned down upon in the grand scheme of things. Students with overwhelmingly bad interviews get rejected, but out of each interview panel, there tends to be one professor with veto abilities (this can go for or against you). What people tend to forget is that the hosting students also have a say; while the right review from a PI is enough to get you in, an overwhelmingly negative response from a bunch of students will also likely get you rejected.

MCF10A reacted to eagb in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 19, 2017

This is definitely false. I interviewed at programs where they interviewed 40+ people for 5-6 spots.
Also, there's really no need for hostility. I was interested in them. I had a number one school for academic + personal reasons, I thought it was a reach...didn't even expect an interview. Visited, loved it, knew I would go if I got an offer and I got in. It's not some conspiracy...

MCF10A reacted to Epigenetics in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 19, 2017

Uhh first of all programs make admissions decisions before interviews, you're not stealing someone's spot. Second, if you weren't that interested in the programs you shouldn't have accepted the interviews, that's on you for wasting their money and time, there was a time to withdraw and it has long passed. Have fun bro.

MCF10A reacted to cuteDr22 in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 17, 2017

Accepted to Weill-Cornell! So happy!

MCF10A reacted to dresdencodak in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 17, 2017

Accepted to Cornell BBS!
Definitely a huge relief, as this ended up being the only school I got an interview for.
Was definitely thinking that things were really bleak a while ago but now that's all changed!

MCF10A reacted to biomednyc in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 17, 2017

I'm nursing a 102 degree fever that refuses to go down and coming to terms with the idea that it probably isn't a good idea to drive tonight to my interview...
And suddenly I get an email that I got into Harvard BBS!!!!!!
Happy, feverish mess = me.

MCF10A got a reaction from desmond.bo in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 14, 2017

Just got my schedule for a upcoming interview. So I'll be interviewing 6 (!!!!!) faculty members in one day. That's goona be a longggggggg day I bet...

MCF10A got a reaction from SysEvo in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 13, 2017

Just got my schedule for a upcoming interview. So I'll be interviewing 6 (!!!!!) faculty members in one day. That's goona be a longggggggg day I bet...

MCF10A got a reaction from LoveMysterious in Screwed Up an Interview February 8, 2017

Based on my experience it shouldn't be a big deal. I thought I screwed up 2 interviews at 2 schools because I didn't answer the follow-up questions about my own research well. I felt really bad, but I ended up receiving very positive emails from those two interviewers and got into both schools. Thing are usually better than we thought, so don't worry too much!

MCF10A reacted to Bubbles_L in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 8, 2017

Chinese student here..
As far as I know, many European schools hope Chinese students to take fundings themselves. Otherwise, it would be difficult to find a suitable lab there.
In US, some top schools are requesting Chinese students to take funding from Chinese government now. 3 or 4 years ago Harvard BBS required students to take funding themselves (from the government), maybe HMS has stopped doing so these two years. Yale BBS is very very welcome to students taking fundings themselves (take 20 students per year). But these fundings have also put Chinese applicants who want to apply for full scholarships into a more difficult situation...
PS: I hope graduate schools will not be reviewing this forum, as there are too many restrictions for applying for funding from the government, some of which might hamper further postdoc training opportunities.

MCF10A got a reaction from PhDHopeful3 in Update on Harvard BBS Acceptance Rate February 7, 2017

Me too! WOOOOO

MCF10A reacted to desmond.bo in Update on Harvard BBS Acceptance Rate February 7, 2017

Got an offer via a phone call from BBS. Good luck to everyone!

MCF10A reacted to PhDHopeful3 in Update on Harvard BBS Acceptance Rate February 6, 2017

FYI to all, I was informed by someone on the ADCOM that they're looking to fill 65-75 seats for 2017 incoming class. They're not looking to cut it down compared to last year. One of the reasons last year was so big is because the year prior, 2015, they had a waaay smaller class due to big snow storms blocking travel and deterring a lot of west coast applicants. Try not to worry too much

MCF10A reacted to Kaede in Update on Harvard BBS Acceptance Rate February 6, 2017

Come on BBS, let's try for today for week 1!

MCF10A reacted to desmond.bo in 2017 Computational Biology/Biomedical Informatics PhD Applicants and Admission Results February 3, 2017

Got an email from MIT CSBi offering an interview for the next weekend !!!???
Do not lose your hope too early guys. I guess there is indeed a waiting list.

MCF10A reacted to Katyya in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 2, 2017

Thank you!
This is more than grad school acceptance for me as an international student This is like I CAN STAY IN THE US CARD!

MCF10A reacted to cuteDr22 in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results February 1, 2017

Acceptance to Pitts IBGP! So excited. i interviewed there the weekend of 1/20.

MCF10A reacted to seventwo in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results January 30, 2017

accepted to Chicago! now I can relax, good luck to everyone else!

MCF10A got a reaction from SysEvo in 2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results January 27, 2017