parafilm

Well, I'm accepted and on my second round of applying, with about 7 years of research, a 3.1 GPA, 159Q 165V. It seems reasonable that schools want to see more than 1.5 years of experience, but of course I'm a bit biased. I work with interns and find that there's a world of difference between those with part-time research experience and those with significant, longer, full-time experience. I do feel like 1.5 years should be adequate for admissions, but there are going to be students with more, particularly since a solid number of applicants will have done research for a year or two between undergrad and grad school. My GPA kept me out, no surprise there. Experience finally got me in, and frankly, I feel like "lack of experience" is the best reason (for the applicant!) to not gain acceptance. A low undergrad GPA is impossible to change (that's when it's time to look into MS programs), a low GRE score means a you have to study more and pay the fee and wait for the next cycle... but lack of experience means you just need to find a lab and get some more research in. Not only will this help you get acceptance, but you'll learn a lot, meet new scientists, and you will bring that knowledge with you to graduate school where it will help you finding a mentor and good project. I know how sucky it feels not to get in anywhere. Been there. But in the time between undergrad and this coming fall when I start a PhD, I've gotten to do amazing non-science things that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. I also got to publish, really take on a fully independent project, make connections that will help me later on, and learned how to successfully drive a project. It feels like the end of the world and you're allowed to be bummed, but it works out in the end. If research/phd is REALLY what you want, you'll get there!

I think you all are overthinking what to wear I got an MS at a school with a solid phd program, and have since been working in biotech for 3 years... I've seen my fair share of interviewees and presenters and grad students. Just wear something that you feel comfortable in and use common sense as far as dressing nicely, you will be fine.

Agreed. I have not called any of my radio-silence schools, nor do I plan to. I've gone through the survey results from past years, which gives an idea if schools send interviews out in one or two big waves, or if they do small batches throughout the season. If I was not included in schools that do big waves (CAMB, Weill) I just assume rejection. Going through past year surveys, you also see that most schools don't send rejections until later in the season, when interviews have past.

Yeah, what other people said is spot on. My situation was pretty unique and not really relevant to normal PhD admissions, so I won't go into the details, but in short I was coming from a terminal MS program (low undergrad grades, womp), and one of four people competing for one spot in a very small PhD program at the same institution. Two of us got interviews and were part of the normal interview weekend, the other was accepted. So, yeah, weird situation. Most schools do seem to accept most of their interviewees. But, things I learned in that interview that I'm keeping in mind: really know which labs interest you and why. I fumbled answering that a bit. Also know what you hope to get from your career long-term-- why do you care about science? what do you expect to gain from a career in research? Know some current hot-topics in science-- a great question I was asked was what biomedical-related stories I'd read/heard about recently that fascinated me. Overall: don't worry about post-interview rejection, or that a little slip will keep you out. You will make some little slip, but so will everyone else. Admission committees are humans too, they aren't going to hold it against you.

I lived in boston for 5 years and I can't spell it either. Of course, I'm also not nearly smart enough to get into MIT, so.

I'm not over 30 nor do I have kids, but I'll be 28 this spring so I'm not too far off. But, when I was getting my MS (school with a pretty solid PhD program), one of the first year PhD students had a 2 year old. He seemed to manage pretty well, but I was really impressed-- it can't be easy. Several other first years were in their late 20s. Also, I've interviewed at a school before (rejected, hence being back in this boat!) and I promise, there's no reason to have any anxiety about what to bring, what bags to carry, exactly what to wear etc. Totally normal things to think about, but don't let those things drive you nuts. Dress somewhat nicely. Bring what you normally bring while out and about. People are friendly, PIs and adcoms are happy to have you there and are pretty welcoming. Be prepared to talk about your research, your future interests, and current topics in science that interest you, and beyond that try not to stress too much.

Nice! Cancer Bio isn't until Feb 5, I've got some time to kill. I actually grew up in Denver, and it's a really nice place to live, so I wouldn't hate going back! Seems like there's some solid research going on there, too.

man, yeah, we're all the same ;). I'm in NYC and would love to stay, so I'm keeping fingers crossed for albert einstein or a magic late invite from cornell. It definitely gets harder to pick up and move as you get older. My GPA was a 3.06, but I also have a master's (3.6, which is still mediocre because you really have to screw up to get below a B in many grad programs, haha). I'm pretty happy with the work I do now, but I really don't want to max out in a few years. And one of my undergrad interns applied to PhD programs last year and had a handful of solid acceptances. He was just a mildly intelligent guy with good grades, and I taught him everything he knew about research. So once that happened, I was like jeez now I really need to go back, because this guy CANNOT be my boss one day!

Don't think there are any other posters here applying for UColorado Anschutz cancer bio, but in case of lurkers/future applicants, I got an interview(my first!!! phew!!!) via email today. I'm a low GPAer and I applied mostly to competitive programs because I'm hesitant to leave my cushy industry job. I wasn't entirely surprised about the radio silence from Penn, Columbia, and Cornell (all big reaches!), but it still made me freak out and decide I'd get rejected everywhere. But, there's hope for us!

My program has (Pathobiology and Molecular Med, which is under the same umbrella as metabolic biology). A few people got metabolic bio invites, and historically molecular med has sent them before christmas. The integrated program hasn't sent out interviews, as far as I know.

lol. Agreed. I'm assuming rejection from Columbia and Penn CAMB (although it does seem like penn sends a few interviews later on... not holding my breath). Ah well. Today is my last day of work before the holidays, so at least I can go hang out on my parents couch and distract myself with TV and alcohol. Maybe I'll get lucky and get Weill Cornell next week... otherwise I'm holding out for january for some good news!

I can only hope! If I don't get a CAMB interview, I'm 0/2. Knew I had some long shots but eesh, someone give me an interview!

Yeah, interviews are just starting to come out. It's normal to feel anticipation, but no need to freak out about anything at this point, especially when you already have an interview lined up.

Well, this won't help your blood pressure, but on CAMB's website it says there's an admissions meeting at noon today (meaning... right now). So, they're coming but probably not within the next hour or two, lol.

Me too. Fingers crossed! But I think immunology and CAMB are separate, so it may not mean anything for us.

Congrats!! I applied to the pathobiology & molecular med program, but was really tempted to go nutritional/metabolic. Hope my guys send interviews soon, although that's the program I'm least confident about getting into!

I blame pre-meds! Edit for context: I blame pre-meds for GPA obsessions, haha.

Meh. Some people are really into numbers. Luckily for most of us, PhD admissions aren't so obsessed with numbers, probably because regurgitating equations during a physics exam has little to do with someone's ability to design experiments and conduct research. I have a low GPA. I've spent a long time working in research to make up for that. Along the way I've had a dozen undergrad interns... the best ones weren't necessarily the ones with the highest GPA, they were the ones most excited to come into lab everyday.

I realize this adds nothing to the discussion, but the anticipation is killing me! Penn CAMB will probably be the first school on my list to send out invites... next week can not come quickly enough. I may need to stock up on cheap wine to get me through the weekend.

this is going to make me laugh every time.

Ditto. I did a master's, then got a cushy job in industry. It worked out-- I've been super happy. I hope I'll get in this time, but having been through it before I know life goes on. I still have a great job where I do real science (plus I currently make more than most post-docs, sighhh), and if I don't get in again, I may just stay in industry and eventually get an MBA. I really want to be a researcher (I wouldn't be giving up my salary and project if I didn't), but I'm closing in on 28 and I don't want to be a 35-year-old phd student. I feel like it's a win-win at this point. If I'm accepted, I get to go for a phd. If I don't, I already do cool science and have industry connections, I'll be ok. So for you younger guys, it's gonna be fine! Hopefully you get in. If you don't, you'll feel devastated, but you'll figure it out. Hopefully I'm proof that experience and passion will eventually make up for mediocre grades.

No kidding. At least we can all come here and talk about nothing! All my coworkers know I'm applying and I wish they'd stop asking me about it-- I submitted like 4 business days ago, no I haven't heard anything!

Yeah, I sent my scores to scripps on 10/28 and I'm still incomplete due to "missing" GRE scores. My guess is it just takes a few days to get everything matched up in the system. I'm also holding off until next week to contact them.

I sent them an email last week about this and they didn't respond, so I called this morning. They said the requests will be sent out once they're "processed, which can take a few days", and that there's a grace period once they've been sent out. I confirmed that this means they DON'T need to be in by the 1st, just before the grace period given to the rec writers. So we're safe, even though it's kind of annoying.

I'll throw in a repost since I was still deciding where to apply earlier (full post page 8). I'm a non-trad. Undergrad Institution: Mid-rank privateMajor(s): NeuroscienceGPA in Major: 3.1Overall GPA: 3.0 Grad GPA: 3.7Type of Student: Female, domestic. GRE Scores (revised Version):Q: 159 (71%, womp)V: 165 (95%)W: Waiting for scoreB: ain't nobody got time for that 3ish years during undergrad in 3 different labs. Master's degree, followed by 2 years as a scientist in industry. One 2nd author pub, a poster, and an undergrad research award. My focus is mainly on cancer biology and stress & metabolic signaling. LORs will be very good but not from any big-names. Albert Einstein Cornell - BCMB Scripps - Cell Biology University of Colorado Denver - Cancer Biology UPenn - CAMB Columbia - Pathobiology & Molecular Medicine I had hoped to add another school or two but just could convince myself to do it. Hopefully I get some bites-- I'd love to go to any of the schools on my list. I've submitted my 3 that are due on the 1st and hope to submit the other 3 tomorrow or tuesday. As an aside-- Any Cornell people still having trouble getting recommendation links sent to their recommenders? I had to call last wednesday because no one had gotten them, even though I had submitted the application. Hopefully they have them by now or tomorrow at the latest, it's stressing me out leaving my recommenders hanging. Having been through this process once before, I am NOT looking forward to the waiting period. It's nice to have my apps (almost) done, but the waiting sucks!