_GC19_

Double check that the contact info you provided for the recommender is correct in the application. Just speaking from a personal experience last year - I had not noticed that I had missed a letter in an email address until I got notification that the letter was missing. Let's just say I was extra diligent in checking in with my recommenders this year! Hope all works out!

Thanks! I ended up not submitting an application to the program at USF - it was so hard to narrow down the list!

I can completely relate to your anxiety with this waiting game! I would not worry too much about the dates that display in the system. I think those are simply the dates that the program coordinator officially merged everything together and marked your application as "complete," but of course I cannot say for sure. I have received reassurance from program directors that waiting to submit until the very last minute has no impact on the review of your application - I believe most will not even look at any application until after the deadline. Fingers crossed for good news on all of our applications soon-ish!

Hello! Thanks for getting this thread started for 2017 applicants. I just learned about GradCafe during the interview season this past spring and really wish I had known about it sooner. I applied this past year to 8 programs and interviewed at 3 (University of Maryland, University of Alabama - Birmingham, and Emory University). I was waitlisted at Maryland and Birmingham but ultimately did not get in - the process is so, so competitive! I also went through the unmatched applicant process and interviewed by phone with Ohio State; this was also a great learning experience and I would encourage people to participate in this if they do not have success on Match day. I followed up with each of the program directors and they were all extremely helpful with feedback - so to all worrying about contacting them do not be timid, they appreciate people who look for advice and that kind of sticks out to them come time to review applications. I was a Psychology major and Biology minor but each of the programs commented that they would really like to see additional Biology courses. I am taking Embryology through the University of Cincinnati Program online - one of the directors told me about this option and it really works perfect for my schedule since I work full-time with an hour commute and do not have much time to attend a scheduled class in-person. Other feedback I received was to do some additional shadowing so I have set-up some ongoing shadowing days with the GCs in my area to improve in that area as well. I have been working to narrow down the list of schools I would like to apply to for this season and keeping an eye out for programs that are opening for Fall 2017. I have found some information on 4 programs - University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Rutgers, and University of Arizona. I have not seen that any besides South Florida have set-up a website yet but if anyone else finds out anything, it would be great to add info to this thread! I had also heard at one of my interviews that the University of Iowa may eventually be opening a program but have not been able to find anything online yet. Looking forward to hearing from you all as we embark on another application season! Good luck everyone!