jeanetics17

No. From experience, they are more likely to read one of your letters of recommendation than your statement of purpose and briefly know what you study just to start the conversation. These professors are quite busy and don't have time to read every candidates' SOP and most don't. 

Got a mixed bag of results today. Got official acceptance in Harvard BBS today!
But also got a rejection from UCSF DSCB. I did not really enjoy the prospect of living in SF while there, so I guess it worked out...

Likely next Monday or Tuesday. Last year, we received notice of admission roughly 9-10 days after the last day of the interview weekend. You may receive a phone call from a faculty member (potentially earlier), just a letter, or both. 

Likely next Monday or Tuesday. Last year, we received notice of admission roughly 9-10 days after the last day of the interview weekend. You may receive a phone call from a faculty member (potentially earlier), just a letter, or both. 

Congratulations to anyone who received a Harvard BBS interview. We look forward to meeting you! 

I think one of the most important things schools look for is a demonstrated, in depth understanding of the science behind the project you are working on (so not just carrying out tasks), but knowledge of the field, the unanswered questions, the goals of your work, and the experimental approaches you are using and why.  Also as someone mentioned previously, working "independently" and being able to drive a project/story (which includes coming up with ideas, things to test, making sense of your data, next steps). So if you have a first author, or second author paper from a masters, or post bac position this looks very good to grad schools (or even if you don't but have had your own project before).  Other things include: experience with trouble shooting, designing assays, mastery of basic wet lab skills, data analysis, ability to disseminate information to others (talks, posters, etc.)  Basically it looks better to be the scientist rather than the scientist's assistant. 

Congrats! Penn is a great school with lots of great faculty. The CAMB students receive really good training and mentoring. Was my 2nd choice. 

How is that possible?

How is that possible?

I don't think NSF wants to hear about the impacts your science will have but rather the impact you will have as a scientist. I wrote about going into communities and leading health sessions in high schools based on my findings and thereby encourage more women of color to start STEM research (and even then one of my reviewers said it was a weak BI compared to my previous BIs).
Interesting - my third reviewer is the only one that mentioned whether or not I was a good candidate for the fellowship.
VG/VG, E/VG, E/E - Life Sciences, Physiology
Congrats!! Another BBS-er with an NSF!

Wom NSF Interestingly enough, my best grades came from my harshest reviewer.

I got the award! I'm speechless. I haven't looked at the reviews, nothing in the world matters! lol

I'm committed too! So see ya'll this fall

I'll be there as well.

Congrats! I received my official BBS acceptance as well today and I've accepted! Feels good to be done with this exhausting process. 

Congrats! I received my official BBS acceptance as well today and I've accepted! Feels good to be done with this exhausting process. 

Accepted to UPenn CAMB! 

Sorry that this happened to you. The same exact thing happened to me last year. They rejected my application because they felt my research statement was too disease related; although I beg to differ. That's why people suggest never using the word disease and being careful with your words. It just sucks that you put all of that time and effort into it and you don't even get feedback. It's also ironic -- I find -- because they preach that they are funding individuals and not research. You're not even legally bound to do the project you propose. I don't think they do a good job with examining a proposal that is basic science (but inspired by a disease). Or alternatively they could be more transparent with what is acceptable or how they screen and ultimately flag proposals (is it reviewed by multiple people before rejected?). But it is what it is. This year I completely scrapped last years project/idea/field and wrote about something I knew they wouldn't have a problem with. 

Congrats!!!

I'm nursing a 102 degree fever that refuses to go down and coming to terms with the idea that it probably isn't a good idea to drive tonight to my interview...
And suddenly I get an email that I got into Harvard BBS!!!!!! 
Happy, feverish mess = me. 

I'm excited. This was my top choice program long before I even started applying to schools, and the interview weekend just solidified it. This seems so surreal. 
Excited to get started there with everyone!

just received my acceptance via email! good luck friends. 

Sweating bullets. Unless you're trolling.

Got an offer via a phone call from BBS. Good luck to everyone!

Just based on student accounts on the turn around and the previous years timeline.