Josie817

Good luck, I hope it all works out.

That's really inspiring, thanks for your post. You were able to make it work and you guys are even further apart!

We would alternate who's traveling each weekend. I should have clarified.

I meant 5-6 years for me to get my PhD, once I graduate I would try finding a post doc near him because his program is longer.

Thanks for your response. I think you're right about needing to establish our priorities...bf and I have been talking about that a lot lately. I guess I'm just trying to come to terms with the possibility of taking the train every weekend so we could both go to the best schools. Although I would be okay with us going to UVA together, I worry that we might start resenting each other because we both preferred other schools.

I've looked into the train, it seems like a really viable option. $$ might be a problem, but I think if we were to plan it out in advance then our stipends should cover it. Thanks.

Hi everyone, so I'm in a bit of a predicament. Like many applicants, I'm applying with my boyfriend who has been interviewing all over the place for MD/PhD. We applied to many of the same places but due to the competitive nature of both programs we have little overlap. Right now he has two acceptances, Mount Sinai and WashU, and he's leaning towards Mount Sinai in NYC. Me on the other hand, I have acceptances from Pitt (he was rejected) and UVA (he's waitlisted) and recently interviewed at Johns Hopkins, UM Baltimore, and Emory. So it's likely that I'm going to a Baltimore school. If worse comes to worst, we'll do long distance between NYC and Baltimore, but that sounds like a huge pain to deal with for 5-6 years of grad school. So here's my question: Is it unreasonable to withdraw all my applications and apply to more NYC schools next cycle? Right now I'm a post-bacc at the FDA in Maryland so theoretically I could continue there for another year. I'm hesitant though because I spent so much time and money on this application cycle, and an offer from JHU is really hard to pass up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks that's relieving!

Recently received my interview schedule for Johns Hopkins MMI/BMB...and I was surprised that the faculty I'm meeting with don't entirely match my research interests. In my app I said I was interested in microbiology and they paired me with two immunology people and two random cell bio people. Is this a bad sign? Between the two programs I gave them nearly 10 people I was interested working with and they matched me with 2. Does this mean that most of the people on my list didn't want to meet with me, or that they just weren't available? I've been on two interviews so far and they did a really good job of finding people whose research interested matched my own. Has anyone else experienced this?

I went to Pitt this weekend, it went really well! They had us meet with 6-7 faculty members, but the interviews were very conversational. Lots of free food and wine

Anyone going to the Pitt IBGP interview this weekend? Heading up to Pittsburgh soon, so excited!

Does anyone know of any good biomedical sciences programs that have later deadlines? I know UMaryland-Baltimore and Stony Brook apps close on January 15th, but those were the only ones I could find.

Microbiology and infectious diseases/biodefense...email was sent from a microbiology/immunology professor.

Just got an interview email from UVA BIMS!

Same here, they were in my top 3

Amen!

Has anyone heard from Michigan's microbio PIBS specialization?

I grew up outside of Baltimore, it's not that bad at all lol. UMB is in the nicest part (inner harbor), and JHU isn't too far away. Applied to their MMI program!

Which specialization did you apply to?

I think the full interview...but they only gave me one weekend because they have a long waitlist already.

Emory MMG also started sending out interviews, got a call today!

Thanks! It's the only school I've heard back from so far, anxiously awaiting the rest!

I got an interview for Pitt on November 23rd! But I also completed my application pretty early (November 1st). They said they started looking at applications as they became finished, so they'll probably send out a few more waves of interview requests. Good luck!!

Hi everyone! Just finished submitting apps, chose schools based on research interests/location but not sure how competitive of a candidate I am or if I'm applying to too many reach schools. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Undergrad Institution: UMDMajor(s): General BiologyMinor(s): Music Performance - ViolaGPA in Major: ~3.5Overall GPA: 3.77Type of Student: white femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 162 (82%)V: 159 (82%)W: 4.5 (82%)B: n/aResearch Experience: Worked at the USDA in food safety/microbio lab for 2.5 years. Didn't do any molecular work, so senior year switched to a plant pathology lab on campus doing genetic research on plant immunity for 6 months. Started as a post-bac at the FDA in July doing immunology/interferon research, will be there for a year. Research interests in pathogens and host-pathogen interactions. No publications yet; been told that I might be a co-author on paper from plant lab and should publish by end of FDA fellowshipAwards/Honors/Recognitions: Honors College, dean's list every semester, some random honor societiesPertinent Activities or Jobs: Was an undergraduate microbio TA for one semester, really enjoyed it. Some schools asked for leadership experience, so I was president of a music group on campus that also promoted social issues/awarenessSpecial Bonus Points: Mom is a plant geneticist who knows a couple of the people I'm interested in working with from a long time ago; wasn't going to bring it up unless invited for an interview though.Applying to Where: University of Maryland, Baltimore - Microbiology and Immunology Johns Hopkins - Microbio and Immuno (School of Public Health) UPenn - BGS UMich - PIBS UVA - Biomedical Sciences Emory - Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Columbia - Biomedical Sciences