[PhD Preview Events?]

So I'm currently looking for PhD programs to apply to, and I stumbled across this page on the UMich website: https://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/education/phd-programs/pibs-preview

Basically, they pay you to come and talk to faculty/students and tour the city?? That sounds so great, and yet I've never heard of these "preview events" before! The deadline for that one has passed, but here's another one (at UW-Madison): http://www.biopreview.wisc.edu/apply

Does anyone know any other events like this? Or, has anyone attended something similar that would like to give insight about applying/what it was like?

[Pittsburgh, PA]

On 5/15/2016 at 5:39 AM, The Rakshash said:

Hie, I have been admitted to UPitt for fall'16 and have just started to look for places to live. I have gone through the entire thread and would really appreciate if someone would help me out in suggesting places to me.

1. After going through the thread, am more inclined to look at Shadyside/ Squirrel Hill/ Friendship/ Bloomfield. I am looking for a place which is preferably well connected by the UPitt shuttles, as I don't own a car.

2. As I am an international student, should I search and book online itself, or prefer temporary accommodation and then start looking for places in August ( which I doubt will be available).

3. A modest semi furnished preferably with some utilities is what I am looking for.

I would love to hear from someone about the current rental prices in pittsburgh and the approximate living costs.

Hello, I currently go to Pitt as an undergrad in biology. I grew up in the city, so I know a lot about living here and getting around.

1) Those are all great, nice neighborhoods. Squirrel Hill and Shadyside are the most convenient in terms of public transportation, which should be included with your student ID. Pittsburgh is very bus-able; I don't have many problems although I don't have a car. The university shuttles aren't very useful since they don't run very frequently, but the public bus system is good enough. I would also suggest considering North Oakland. South Oakland is teeming with undergrads, but North O is calmer and has grad students living there. It's also a quick walk from campus.

2) This is mostly up to personal preference. Craigslist always has postings, and this Facebook group is good: https://www.facebook.com/groups/293902804037190/

I'd agree with @pink_freud on rent prices. North O and Bloomfield are cheap, Squirrel Hill is moderately cheap, and Shadyside can get more expensive.

Overall, Pittsburgh is a great place to live! Feel free to PM me if you want to ask me more specific questions.

[Where to Apply... (Microbio? PhD)]

Hi all, I'm new here. Just starting to (seriously) make a list of schools I want to apply to, and I am looking for suggestions/advice!

I'm looking to enter a PhD program in fall of 2017. Mostly interested in microbiology and infectious disease, but also some interest in virology, immunology, and cancer biology. Since I'm not super sure about what topic I'd like to research, an umbrella-type program that would let me have diversity in my first-year rotations would be nice.

Undergrad Institution: Medium sized public school, very strong bio research but average otherwise
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): Chemistry
GPA in Major: 3.869
Overall GPA: 3.889
Position in Class: Most likely top 10%
Type of Student: Asian female

GRE Scores: Not taken yet (currently studying!)

Research Experience: 

Currently an Amgen scholar, working on UTIs.

Also currently 2 years in pancreatic cancer lab at hospital affiliated with home university.

1 year working with yeast and transcription regulation, but mostly though being a UTA.

1 year freshman year working with respiratory pathogens.

Concerns: no publications or major presentations. Although I think my lab experiences are of substance, it's not spectacular; I have breadth but not depth, I guess. Hopefully my summer research will help in this regard...

Also interested in teaching. I've had 3 UTA positions and worked as a TA for a research program for high schoolers last summer.
 

Current potential schools list:

Harvard, MIT, Stanford

UCB, UCLA, UCSF

JHU, WUSTL, UPenn, Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan Ann Arbor, University of Washington, Baylor, Pitt

Tufts, BU

Definitely NOT applying to all of the above, just a list of schools I'm considering. Compiled mainly from rankings lists...

 

In terms of living, I come from a small city and would like to be in a similar environment for grad school. So no NYC, but also don't want the campus to be the only thing around for miles.

I'm also interested in applying to schools near Boston, since my SO will be going to law school there. Not a strict requirement, since we are not 100% sure if we want to stay together through grad school. The plan is to apply anywhere and decide later.

All suggestions welcome, from school names to advice on how to look for schools/programs!