Jump to content

FailedScientist

Members
  • Posts

    41
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by FailedScientist

  1. Well my reply comes a bit late, but here goes. Students who get accepted to the CA campus program are allowed to rotate in the FL campus but not vice versa. I believe Scripps allows you to apply to both in one application and I would go ahead and do that and would suggest going with CA as you can still rotate with your POI, but have more options.
  2. You have a great profile! One thing about applying as an international is that there are significantly less spots (if I were to guess probably <5%) due especially in state/public schools. I had a lot more success my second round of applications when I applied to more privately funded schools which don't have these restrictions (e.g. BCM where I go takes in closer to 50% of internationals). I would take that into account when finalizing your lists.
  3. Based on research interest and funding yes. Never met anyone there so can't say much for personality and mentoring style.
  4. Thanks for your reply. She is known to be a very intense PI, but is considered to be very smart and is quite adapt and bringing in collaborations and such. Going with her would be very high risk, high reward. If things don't work out and I end up dropping out of a PhD, yes I would definitely regret it. But if I just decide to switch PIs within Scripps that might not be the worst thing in the world.
  5. Hey guys and gals, I've come close to the end of my first year at BCM, passed all my courses and such. However one of the PIs I was considering joining is leaving to Scripps in CA. I have been given the option to transfer programs, but I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice on the program at Scripps, or any opinion on BCM vs Scripps as institutions, programs, environment (supportive vs competitive), cost of living and how far a scripps stipend goes in CA. Any general advice on what its like to transfer and after transferring programs is also appreciated. Thanks!
  6. Baylor has already started with their first interview weekends for most of their programs. Some programs have more than one interview weekends.
  7. With Baylor I suggest you contact the second choice program director. Sometimes when the application is sent to the second choice, people forget to take a look at it. This happened to me with IMBS and MVM. Contacting the program director ended up with me receiving an interview and acceptance. Good luck.
  8. Hi, I was wondering what people thought about someone picking a research topic (biomedical research field) on a disease that they themselves have or someone close to them has. Is it an additional source of motivation, or is it too much stress/pressure? Are there any ethical issues? Thanks!
  9. Hi Guys, I know there are already a few threads on this but I couldn't find anything that is particularly current/relevant for my situation. I am looking into buying a new laptop soon after my coursework year at gradschool (in around 6 months time). Would mainly need it for office, running bioinformatics software, possibly for some data heavy work (genomics/proteomics work). I've been leaning towards an macbook air hopefully with an i7 and 512gb ssd or an asus model with similar specs. I've never owned a mac but have used some. My main reason for leaning that way is durability. I've gotten tired of my pcs slowing down after a year or so of use and I hear that macs work better for longer, with the sacrifice of better specs for the price point. I plan on waiting and discussing it with people in the lab I eventually join as well to make sure I don't have any compatibility issues. Would love to get some feedback from the older and wiser. Thanks!
  10. Kinda what I meant. For me I was working full time so I prepared for the GRE from around July (sat for it end August). I think thats early enough to prepare your shortlist. A few schools may change along the way.
  11. Hi Everyone, So I have been accepted into a PhD program on scholarship, but was a bit curious to know if there are any external fellowships that are available to internationals in the biomedical area/ HIV research area. Particularly those that can be applied for in the first/second years of a program. Does anyone have any experience or insight into this? So far I have just been doing random google searches and haven't had much luck. HHMI was discontinued and several others have very specific requirements. Is it just a major scavenger hunt? Or am I going about it wrong? Thanks in advance.
  12. My advice; Sit for the GRE as early as possible, at least by August. Start researching schools at around the same time you start preparing for your GRE, so July/August. The GRE allows around 4 universities that you can send your score in for free. Write up your research/personal statement leaving enough time for 2-3 people to proofread it. I'd suggest at least one person who knows the field, one who is more of a writer/English major and one person close to you who would know if you are missing out on anything important. Select your referees carefully, give them enough notice and follow up with them regularly. (They sometimes leave these things for the last minute) Apply to as many schools as you can afford.Several top notch schools have free or cheap applications. I eventually had to apply to 12 schools over 2 cycles, before I got an interview and acceptance. (International student here) After application, follow up regularly to make sure that they have actually looked at your application. My application was transferred from my 1st choice department to 2nd choice but it was quite clear that it wasn't looked at until I put in a lot of effort to contact the director of that 2nd choice program. They eventually liked what they read. Good Luck with your application! It can be tough, especially if you are faced with many rejections but keep at it if it is your dream.
  13. I love how a side discussion on Peanut Butter emerged on this thread, which I'm reading while spooning blobs of PB into my face hole.
  14. Well this thread is quite intimidating. So many Ivy level schools. I'll be heading to Baylor in the fall. Good Luck to everyone!
  15. Regarding looking for a good program, I would look for schools with faculty that are researching ageing/longevity. Its a relatively niche field imo, so it shouldn't be too hard to narrow down your list. Then depending on which departments these faculty are attached to you will be able to select the specific program. I honestly don't think any of these fields are any less competitive than the other. The only advice I would give is take a good look at your research background and work/academics and see which area you have the most prior experience in. You would probably have a better chance at getting into one of those that fit your background and future interests. You should do a PhD if a career in research or academia is your goal. If you are not sure about this a masters would be ideal, if you can get full or partial funding to do one. (or if money is not an issue) Otherwise I would recommend working as a research assistant in a lab to get a taste of the field. Good luck!
  16. Hi all. Looking for some wardrobe advice for a male for a Skype interview. It's with a university in texas if that makes a difference. Will an office shirt suffice? Tie or no tie? Shave or trim my beard? (Basically look like a toddler or stereotypical terrorist) thanks!
  17. Don't lose hope guys, I applied to 13 schools over 2 cycles, and I got rejected by 12. After consistently inquiring about my application the last one took another look at my application and decided to offer me an interview. Be persistent. It will eventually pay off.
  18. Just in general compared to other non-tier 1 universities/ non-ivys.
  19. Hey guys, has anyone heard back from University of Utah as yet? I see only a couple of responses on the results page. Also, I would like to know what the opinion of this school is within the US. I am an international, and a lot of the time have to gauge reputation by various rankings.
  20. Thanks for the input everyone. Cleared my doubts. Hopefully the info will be useful to others as well.
  21. International student here. Applied to 5 schools this cycle. Got rejections from 3 from feb-now. Still waiting to hear back from the last 2.
  22. I'm sorry my username offended you, no need to be so toxic. I created the profile at a low point hence the pessimistic name. I am an international student with average stats, (3.5GPA, >80th percentile GREs, top 100 university in most world rankings) and I tend to apply to very competitive programs as personally doesn't feel worth it to me to make all the sacrifices to go to a school that I am not happy with. Unfortunately this has led to many a rejection. I'd rather keep working as an RA until I build up the research background to go somewhere I would be happy with. P.S I haven't had the chance to interview with the US but every other professor I have interviewed with in other countries have supported my applications and/or offered me jobs.
  23. Hi Guys! Now that the GRE Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Test has been discontinued, do you think universities expect students to sit exams in either Biology or Chemistry, or are subject tests just not important at all when it comes to the application process? Anyone with some insight on this new change?
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use