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Has anyone got any news yet? My UMN app has switched to "under final review". Do they do a final review of all applications or just ones that are considered strong candidates? It's so nerve-wracking knowing that my top school will be sending a decision soon. But, I guess it's good that I haven't been out-right rejected yet!

Ugh that's the worst! One of my LORs didn't get in until a few hours before it was due (to my top choice, no less) and that was only after I bugged him incessantly. Do you have a phone # for your recommender? I found that they checked their voicemail more than their email inbox, if that helps. @DGD4L Great schools! I also applied to Loyola's microbiology program! and: University of MN - Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology University of Iowa - Microbiology University of Colorado-Denver - Microbiology and University of WI - Madison - Microbiology I'm from MN and it isn't really within my budget to travel to a coast-school, unfortunately

Exactly! I hate having things so out of my control! I don't know about you, but my parents totally don't get how stressful this whole process is! What programs are you applying for, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks for the kind words. My parents have no idea about the process/how stressful it is (I'm first-gen) and I unfortunately don't have many friends and the ones I have don't really say anything beyond "you'll get in, don't worry" which doesn't mean much considering they're not in my field, though the sentiment is nice. Going to play video games tonight and stop checking program's websites. Good luck in your application season, as well!

I'm a first-generation college student so I think that means I'm eligible to apply, at least at the ones I've quickly glanced at (Mayo, Baylor, U of Iowa). It's nice to have a back-up if things don't work out Though, I assume PREP programs are pretty competitive as well since there are so few spots. Maybe I need a plan C, in addition.

Yes, I've been looking into some today and it definitely seems a plausible option if I'm not admitted to a program. There's even one at the Mayo clinic focusing on immunology/virology which would be great. Glad to know there's another option if I'm rejected.

Thanks for your input! I forgot to mention, I'm on trimesters currently so we are on winter break from Thanksgiving to New Years (great, I know!) so it is really hard to get in contact with my recommenders. Especially since 2 out the 3 are hard to reach under normal circumstances, anyway, let alone on a deadline. So I feel kind of shut out from applying to more programs at the moment. Do you think, if I don't get accepted anywhere, applying for a PREP post-bacc program would be most influential in making my application stronger? This would add another year of research experience.

So, I'm sure a large portion of everyone here is experiencing this horrible anxiety regarding their applications. I've never had problems like this with other applications (for REUs, undergrad, etc) before but honestly every day is torture. I was initially confident about my application as I really did everything that I could during undergrad to prepare for a doctoral program (I graduate w/ a degree in Biology with Honors in June 2017), but upon looking at the selectivity of the schools I applied to and just spending an undue amount of time on this sight, I can't help but deeply worry that I won't get accepted anywhere. My only option really, if I don't get in, is to apply for some type of NIH PREP program to give another year of research experience to get ready for another application cycle. I would actually apply to more schools before the Dec 15th common deadline of a lot of programs, but my 2 of my most important LOR writers are very hard to get in contact with (we are on trimesters and currently on vacation from Thanksgiving to New Years) so that option is kind of moot at this point. Anyway, my real question is what are your strategies for chilling out more during this application process and not succumbing to an insurmountable amount of dread/worry?

I'm interested in bacterial and viral pathogenesis, as well as host-cell interactions (immune suppression). I also think molecular therapy through gene editing is super interesting as well. I remember reading a super interesting paper last year regarding the insertion of CRISPR into human T-lymphocytes to target HIV capsids to prevent HIV replication so I'd be interested in learning more about that, as well. It's hard to narrow a specific topic down, which why I'm super excited to do lab rotations and figure out what I'm most interested in (if I get into a program ).

I'm not sure how competitive the programs you're applying to are, but I think a 160V for the GRE is good! Especially if you have other good areas on your app (writing sample, publications, honors, letters of rec), lower scores can be overlooked anyway because they're not always the most accurate representation of your abilities. I can't speak for your TOEFL, though, since I'm not an international student. That is the general impression I've gotten along this application process, though I am applying for a microbiology PhD, so the requirements/stress on scores may be different.

I can't even reread my SOP because it stresses me out too much, haha. I know I made a typo when referring to the application of a technique but I'm hoping it's so minor that they won't even notice. I honestly hate writing about myself so it was not a fun process. Turns out making sure all my LORs got in on time was more stressful, however. This waiting game is the worst! I also worry I didn't apply to enough schools (5), but I didn't have the funds at the time to pay for more application fees and it would be financially irresponsible of me to go to move across the country anyway. Basically, I'm second guessing everything but at the same time I know I was very diligent during undergrad and took as many research opportunities and teaching assistantships as I could fit while getting good grades (dean's list, honor society, etc). It's really hard, it seems, to definitively say whether an applicant will get into a program or not because it seems like so much depends on whether the admissions committee believes that you 'fit' the program (which I understand). I guess now all we can do is reassure ourselves that we worked as hard as we could and wait for an email! Thanks for reassuring me that I'm not the only one freaking out lol, and good luck to you, as well!

True, I will be checking my email constantly for the next few weeks, it seems. I see that you're already attending a program, how rigorous were your interviews? I'm usually very good with them and I love talking about research but it's hard not to be super nervous about everything.

Yes, and definitely it would be difficult to adjust to the climate of the south compared to Minnesota haha. I will continue to take a look at some other programs. I really appreciate your input, it helped assuage some of my worries for the time being.

Is 5 considered too few schools? I mainly applied to schools in the midwest due to family reasons and affordability (I was considering U of Chicago in addition to Loyola but my undergrad is in Illinois and don't wish to spend the next 5+ years there ) and I avoided the Ivy leagues due to the fact I don't believe my app is competitive enough in the amount of research experience I have.

Yeah, I was concerned about that, too. But the only real LOR regarding my research experience I got get was from my Honors/REU advisor and my academic advisor, and I am not really close with the other biology faculty at my school since they are mostly ecology/evolutionary biologists. I figured my art history prof knows me the best on a personal level and can attest to my work ethic (since he was a professor I had when I was ill sophomore year) and I've done well in all his classes. The other choice would be my previous orgo prof, but I found that class to be insanely hard and she didn't like me very much. Thanks a lot for your input! Do you know if U of MN is considered a competitive program? I can't find admission stats on their website.

So nervous about this application process!

Yes, one of my professors did that, too and he absolutely adores me. I think it just helps them realize what strengths you are enforcing in your app and then they tailor their letter around those strengths.

Hey all, so I know it's hard to quantify an application because it really changes from program to program based on your "fit", but I was wondering if my application seems promising upon quick glance? I am finding some conflicting info on the selectivity of the programs I applied to and am hoping that I seem like a promising candidate. I had some health issues sophomore year and had to drop an elective class one trimester (still finished that trimester on the Dean's List, though) and I know my quantitative GRE score is quite average, but I'm hoping the amount of research experience and strong LORs can rectify these deficiencies. I know it's probably neurotic of me to be asking at all, I just can't help but worry after spending an untold amount of time perusing this site and worrying about my app. Here's my run-down: Undergrad Institution: Knox College Major(s): Biology Minor(s): Spanish, Art History, Chemistry (unofficial, but have enough chem credits for one) GPA in Major: 3.7 Overall GPA: 3.65 (both GPAs would be higher, had severe health problems sophomore year but still did well) Position in Class: Guessing top 10%, my school doesn't use class positions though Type of Student: First-generation white female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 154 (I am worried this is too low, but I don't think QGRE scores are the most important aspect of an app.) V: 162 W: 5.5 B: N/A Research Experience: The entire summer of 2015 I worked in the Axtell lab at Penn State in plant molecular biology with a focus on the diversity of small RNAs, with a term of independent study to prepare beforehand. I was not specifically interested in plant research, I found the experience with molecular-based methods to be quite useful. Furthermore, this year (2016-2017), I am undergoing independent Honors senior research regarding bacterial CRISPR loci diversity in natural soil populations using culture-independent methods. My advisor (the same one that supervised my Penn State REU is supervising my honors thesis, he is also writing me a LOR) and I plan to publish my work if things continue to progress well. So, I will have around ~1.5 years of research experience by the time I graduate, ranging from molecular to microbiology to bioinformatics based tools. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: S-STEM Scholar: Received through 2014-2017, the C.O.A.S.T. program (Creating Opportunities and Access in Science and Technology) is an NSF-funded scholarship program at Knox College which gives up to $10,000 annually to six first generation or low-income college students interested in the sciences. The program additionally provides extra mentoring and opportunities to attend science lectures. Dean's List for over 2 years Honors society member Pertinent Activities or Jobs Bio lab TA for over a year. Art History tutor "Success tutor" to incoming first-gen undergrads Special Bonus Points: 1 LOR from my Honors and REU supervisor which I believe is strong (he seems well known in the molecular field and got his PhD from MIT), another from my formal advisor who is in charge of the NSF scholarship program I'm in, as well as a really strong LOR from my art history professor who knows me very well personally. Applying to Where: University of MN - Twin Cities (this is my top choice based on research interests and for financial reasons) University of Iowa University of Colorado - Denver Loyola University University of WI-Madison (this is my reach school and not expecting to get in)

Yeah, part of my worrying just comes from this seemingly endless waiting and twiddling my thumbs, therefore I'm kind of second guessing everything about my application. Good luck for you, as well! Hopefully we both get into a program that we wanted.

Hi all, I'm applying to several doctoral microbiology programs, and I know research experience is one of the most important factors in admission. I did well on the GRE, have strong recommendation letters, and have several other academic achievements (NSF scholarship,honors society, etc). However, I'm concerned that since I'm applying to grad school directly from undergrad (I graduate June 2017) that I may not have enough research experience to make me competitive with older candidates that may have a master's before applying to a PhD program. The entire summer of 2015 I worked in the Axtell lab at Penn State in plant molecular biology with a focus on the diversity of small RNAs, with a term of independent study to prepare beforehand. While I was not specifically interested in plant research, I found the experience with molecular-based methods to be quite useful. Furthermore, this year (2016-2017), I am undergoing independent Honors senior research regarding bacterial CRISPR loci diversity in natural soil populations using culture-independent methods. I am finding this experience to be completely worthwhile, not only just in the process of writing proposals and performing independently, but also because it is just so interesting! My advisor and I plan to publish my work if things continue to progress well. So total I will have around ~1.5 years of research experience by the time I graduate, ranging from molecular to microbiology to bioinformatics based tools. All the programs I applied to have a focus on the crossover between these fields, and so I am hoping this makes me a stronger candidate. Furthermore, the relatively recent importance of CRISPR in gene editing for immunological purposes I hope will make my honors research seem more poignant (though I am not doing work in gene editing, this is something that is of interest to me in the future). I was just wondering if this seems like a sufficient amount of research experience to apply for a doctoral program? I know it is hard to say definitively, but I know most of my programs are reviewing applications from Dec 2-9th, so I am kind of freaking out every day knowing that they could be reviewing my application as I type. Also, do Ph.D. programs frown on undergraduates applying directly? (i.e. do they favor older candidates with master's more? I just recently turned 21). I saw no point in applying for a master's since the career goals are different between the two and I do not have the funds to pay for another degree. Thanks in advance!

Good news, I was able to get a hold of him and he was really apologetic for not responding to my email and assured me he would complete the rec by the deadline. Thanks all for the input!

I do not have his skype contact info, I don't think his cell phone is a smart phone either.

I just tried giving him a call, but it seems like the number is down ("this wireless caller is not available"). I am really freaking out, I don't know what to do.

I'm applying for several Microbiology programs that have deadlines on November 30th or December 1st - all of which require 3 letters of recommendation. I've gotten two in already, but the most important one from my Honors senior research faculty advisor has not been submitted. I asked him well in advance (in September-October, and he knew I'd be applying to grad programs anyway) and my college is very small so there is no way he would forget who I am. I also am one of the two people doing honors research with him. He has always been hard to contact through email, and I sent him a reminder three days ago, but he has not replied to any of my emails asking for confirmation that my LOR is complete. While he assured me before winter break that he would write the letter, I am starting to really panic. There's only one day before the first deadlines begin, and my dream is to continue my education. Not to mention all the money and time I spent on this application process. Would it be too forward of me to call him? He gave me his cell number when I started doing lab work with him, and I figure it is my last resort. I know that some programs may offer leeway when it comes to the deadline for LORs, but he is the most important recommender because he can testify to my lab experience/capabilities. Hopefully I don't explode from all this stress.