dragonfrog

Alright, thanks for the feedback. Definitely going to appeal and at least see if I can get a better explanation.

I'm actually just now in the process of interviewing at grad schools, so I'm not even in a specific program yet, but most of the ones I am looking at now are part of an umbrella program. I know someone who got an award in 2014, found another 2014 microbiology research proposal from a winner online, and checked out the recent awards and there were 38 micro awards in 2016. So I doubt it is some recent change.

Yes, PhD. Yes, specialized (microbiology). I know people that got the GRFP in micro programs, so I didn't think that would be an issue. Yes, I mentioned antibiotic resistance. But it was purely understanding how they work, not like developing efflux pump inhibitors or anything. You really think just mentioning resistance is an issue?

I just received an email saying my application is being returned without review. The reason they gave for my ineligibility is "ineligible degree program or field of study (clinical, disease-focused, professional, etc.)." I have thoroughly read and reread the program solicitation and disagree with this. My field of study is microbiology and I am approaching it from a purely academic lab perspective (not clinical, not trying to develop new treatments, etc.). My research statement focused on quantifying gene expression of efflux pumps (used for drug resistance) in Helicobacter pylori. You could argue that the reason I chose this bacteria is "disease-focused" in that I am interested in it because it causes disease, but the research is just understanding how it works. It's not about etiology or epidemiology or any of that. I also had read sample applications from other individuals in microbiology who received the award, so I know this is not unheard of. I am appealing their decision (they gave me an email address and a deadline for doing so), but was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on why I might be ineligible or what I should say in my appeal letter. Does anyone know what the chances of actually getting such a decision overturned are? Are they even going to fully read my letter? Any thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks!

Any advice for navigating interview invites to multiple programs at the same school? I applied to three at the University of Wisconsin, and so far have heard back from MDTP and CMB (waiting on CMP). Is it unrealistic to attend the activities of multiple programs in a single weekend? Should I only accept one invitation and turn down the other one or two?

Ok that's good and bad. Could you explain that a little? I've mainly been going off of lists of top microbio programs and pieces of advice from a few professors and graduates of my school, so I don't have the most concrete sense of how competitive some of these are. I was also looking at Yale and UPenn as top choices, but had a professor describe them as a pressure cooker environment, which is not something I am super looking for.

Hello! I will be applying this year for Fall 2017 admission. I am mainly interested in microbiology, but considering pathology as well. Undergrad Institution: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (medium-size engineering school, smaller but growing life sciences program)Major(s): Biology and Biotechnology (that's one major, not two)Minor(s): Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, SpanishGPA in Major: 3.92Overall GPA: 3.97Position in Class: near topType of Student: domestic male, not minorityGRE Scores: taking in AugustResearch Experience: 3 years in an animal behavior lab (still working there), 2 months in a cell bio lab assisting with pilot experiments, and 2 months so far in a microbiology lab where I will be completing my senior thesis equivalent next year. No publications or talks, unfortunately. All of these have been at my school.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Several scholarships within my school, Dean's list every semester, award for a poster presentation (non-bio), Goldwater honorable mentionPertinent Activities or Jobs: Two internships in pharmaceuticals. One not in a lab, but did a lot of literature research into antibiotics and other micro stuff. The other (current) a lab job in (mammalian) cell culture at the manufacturing end, so a lot of process optimization studies and that sort of thing. Also next year I will be a PLA (undergrad TA) for a microbiology class.Applying to Where: Probably will apply to most, but not all of these. University of Wisconsin Madison - Microbiology (this is my current top choice) University of Washington - Microbiology or Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease University of Michigan Ann Arbor - Microbiology and Immunology Cornell - Microbiology or Immunology and Infectious Disease Ohio State University - Microbiology Michigan State University - Microbiology or Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Brown - Pathobiology with Infection and Immunity concentration Oregon State University - Microbiology I was initially trying to identify some smaller schools as well, but it seems like it's the larger state schools that have the specialized microbiology and pathology programs. I'm concerned that this is a pretty reachy list overall and that I am lacking safeties. Is this accurate? I would also appreciate any thoughts anyone has on the differences between microbiology and pathology. I am pretty sure I want to go the infectious disease route, but it seems like pathology programs could let me focus on microbiology while still learning about other types of disease. And what are people's opinions on reaching out to potential labs? Thanks in advance!