Epigenetics

I put nothing specific in my apps beyond "I think X program at Y school would be an amazing place for the next step in my scientific development" or something to that effect, I put nothing that specific. I'm telling you, they care about letters of rec and research experience most of all, so being able to show you know what you're getting into and are ready for it is really critical. I'd also say apply to more than two schools, I know you know your interests but having a bit more broad choice and options would probably be helpful.

Honest question: can you see yourself going to any of those 8/9 schools you all are interviewing at? Maybe it's because I honed my list pretty well, but I'm going to six interviews and honestly I only think I'm really deciding between three, with three that I'm open to surprising me. Genuinely curious on this one.

I'm going to six. I applied to six schools, all of which I'm interested in. Also I only have to travel twice, because two are in Boston and three line up, so that's nice.

I can tell you fundamentally none of what you're saying is true. Yes they're trying to fill ~65 spots, because the program is large, but that is the post-acceptance matriculation number. They expect a large number of people not to attend, so if they anticipate a matriculation rate of 50% (from what I've heard that's about what they expect) then they have to accept 130 people to get that. I know for a fact their post-interview admission rate is 90-95%. Source: I work in a BBS lab.

Which program did you guys apply to? Each biosciences program is separate, so some have some out some haven't. I heard from genetics a week ago, and that was the typical pace for that program as compared to years past.

Which specific PhD program? Congrats!

They also have three weekend choices, I know I (and probably many others) chose the third because of conflicts with the first two, so they may be seeing who picks what and then limiting/reallocating options.

That's fascinating, MIT requested we fill out the open house preference data by yesterday and already sent us our weekend assignments, maybe they're seeing who accepts the interview and then cycling through?

Wait did they tell you that? What does that mean, did they only send them to their top candidates?

If you're doing one plane trip for multiple interviews, is there a preference on which institution to have pay for it? I'm just wondering because I'm doing the UCSF-Berkeley-Stanford swing and idk who to book with, if it matters at all. Also does anyone have any idea what the schedule is for the Biosciences weekend? Trying to plan how/when to leave.

These interviews don't/aren't supposed to involve preparation. Know your research, know your interests, be able to hold a conversation. You're not getting quizzed on these professors' papers.

Yeah, although I would like them to send something, just so I know what date/time it ends. I'm camping out in SF for like a week and a half for interviews, want to get this situated ASAP.

Bruh, that's a week and a half away. That's not panic zone.

I have interviews from end of January (Harvard) to early and mid March (Stanford and MIT). I think people likely aren't posting about those type of programs because fewer people apply or those people aren't type A enough to be on this website

Mine was Stanford genetics, they told us we'd get an e-mail about logistics early next week, but this was clearly a form letter sent all at once.

I literally copy-pasted my SOP for every program, even for Harvard which only wanted one page. I wrote one and was done haha. I don't think it was that prohibitive.

Also got an MIT Biology interview this morning.

Just got an interview from Stanford Biosciences Genetics! Came around 6:30pm eastern.

What lab did you do the YY1 work in? Some of my research is about polycomb and that sounds really cool.

They cost-share with other universities in the Bay Area if you're going to more than one weekend together, and you have to send them the receipt so they'll see if you spent it on a first class ticket. It's a dick move girl/guy.

I got a call from a professor in Berkeley MCB well before Christmas, and they sent out the formal e-mail with visit information yesterday, so I think if you haven't heard... Sorry!

On that note though, committees care about independent research experience most of all, and idk if a master's actually demonstrates that, largely depends on the nature of the program. I can tell you the two biggest things committees care about, from friends who have been on them, are letters of rec and research experience. They want to know you know what you're getting into.

A couple individual programs have, but most haven't. UCSF/Berkeley line up like that though, and Stanford would line up as well if I get an interview.

The lab you join is responsible for paying for you, but they'll want you to apply for NSF/NIH F31/other grants, since paying personnel and overhead is a major expense to a lab. Also having a fellowship is a big plus to getting into the lab you want.

How close together are they? I'm doing the reverse, but the UCSF-Berkeley-Stanford dates literally abut (2/24-26, 2/26-28, 3/1-5) so I'm planning to just stay in SF for the week. For consecutive weeks I wouldn't do that, that's like two weeks to save a couple flights. Also you're not paying for the flights.