LadyScientist

I think it depends on what exactly you want to study within biology (and what your future plans are if you have an idea of what you'd like to do with your degree)! Even for a bachelor's degree, I'd look someplace that has research projects you are interested in, and that has faculty that are putting out publications if possible! I'd also look at professor ratings (if there are any) and see what people are saying about the university and the faculty there--but take them with a grain of salt regardless. Since you are likely paying for school and will be there for four years, look into what kinds of potential opportunities are available for students there, and make sure this is where you really want to go!

I totally understand... I applied to 5 programs, and have received 3 rejections with no sign of any interviews/admits from the last two either. I am devastated... I should have invested more in a "Plan B"... And it kills me to see people talking about how they are upset that they didn't get into their dream school but got admits from numerous other places when I am desperate for one offer from anywhere I applied to. I am right there with you in the misery category. During my whole application process everyone was so encouraging that I had a very strong application, and then to come out of this empty handed... It hurts. Badly. I also cannot afford to just wait it out and apply again next year. I have to go get a job. And given bio jobs are pretty limited for people with just a Bachelor's degree, I might have to switch fields if I can't find anything that is relevant to my studies. Talk about having an existential crisis (day after day). I am so sorry your second round of this has been rough yet again... It is embarrassing to talk about failures (for me at least), especially when people are more than happy to share their numerous successes. But, you are not alone at least. Hopefully you hear good news from your other 3 programs very soon!

Wow, congrats @cosiva!! You have been accepted to some wonderful places!

If their deadline still hasn't passed, I would throw my name in (Especially if you like the program, and/or don't have any other interviews/offers)! I think the biggest obstacle for you would be to make sure your LOR writers would be willing to submit a letter for you again. It shouldn't be too difficult given they will likely still have the one they wrote for your other applications, but, I would definitely ask them if they would submit the letter again before listing them on another application. But if you want to apply to another school, I would get on it ASAP!

I'm an undergrad currently in my final semester, but I work for the biology department and am an accepted MS student, so I talk frequently to those who work in the graduate programs office!

I currently go to ASU, and I know that they are still going through PhD applications and inviting people to recruitment weekends for biology

I got a rejection from Stanford's Stem Cell program this evening. I do believe it is time to fire up my resume.

Does anyone know if USC PIBBS (not sure if applying to the DSR program within PIBBS makes a difference) is done sending out invites? On their website it looks like PIBBS has two recruitment sessions, one in January and one in March? I am also waiting to hear back from Stanford Biosciences (SCBRM)? It seems like other departments within the biosciences have sent out invites but I haven't seen anyone from that specific program say they have heard anything yet...

I feel your pain, @cancergirl... I am in the same position. I have been in panic-mode since December 15th when people started hearing back from their schools (some of which I applied to as well).

clay pot

Personal statement

Doctor Visit

I agree with @Dragon_ChemBio. Switching fields is not unheard of! I think the most important thing here is that you have a lot of research experience! And I do think it would be great to gain some experience in a biology-related lab if switching fields is what you want to do. It will look good to have experience in both chemistry and biology when you go to apply!

Dark side

Academic scholarship

I agree with @fadedfigures. While GPA and GRE are not completely negligible components by any means, when applying to graduate school, programs are looking for students that bring a wide breadth of skills and knowledge that are not necessarily addressed by looking at GPA and GRE. Similarly, unlike your undergraduate career, graduate school is a very unstructured environment. So, success when taking exams and doing homework assignments does not always go hand in hand with being able to conduct independent research well-- which is what graduate school focuses heavily on! But all things considered, I don't think you should feel guilty! Everyone has different skill sets, experiences, and goals (both personal and academic) which all contribute to someone's success/experience with graduate school. Programs are looking for well-rounded candidates that have shown that they have what it takes to thrive in a more fluid environment where you play a much bigger hand in your success! Best of luck with all of your endeavours!

Business school

Life change!

Birthday cake!

Pulled pork

Front Pocket

@Browncoat5871 Rejections have most commonly seemed to come via email. Some directly say that you are not offered admission, and some mention a change in the status of your application, so you see a rejection in the application portal.

Yes, I think the worst part about this wait is having so little to do in the interim... I am still in the lab a lot over break, but I still have way too much free time on my hands. So I sit around and check my email just one more time in case I got something in the 30 seconds since I last checked my email. School resumes on the 8th of January and I am very thankful!

Me too But... It's only December! So... It's not over til it's over!

Oh gosh @GeorgeC07 I was only kidding about asking for an interview, haha! But it would be nice if it worked that way-- or that I got a letter in my stocking! But happy holidays to you as well!