strugglebus2k17

I'm also curious to know!

How did it end up going? Baylor College of Medicine has a Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine program. I've looked into it and it seems like a great opportunity to do clinical trial studies. A PharmD would also be a great career path if you choose to follow the hospital residency track. Once you graduate with a PharmD you would do residency at a hospital and round with the physicians. I did a clinical observership at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the PharmD's would meet with patients regularly and explain the relationship between the different chemotherapies they were going through. They would also work as a team with the physicians on hand and recommend drugs and explain interactions and best course of action. Pharmacy school is also relatively competitive, many of my friends who are now completing their PharmD had to do a lot of work and gain experience as a Pharm Tech before applying.

UTSW is a well respected research institution for medicine and basic sciences in the US, especially in Texas region. It would be on par with other top 20 schools. If you're interested in cancer research, Memorial Sloan Kettering/ Weill Cornell in NYC is a great option. MD Anderson UTHealth in Houston is another strong player in cancer research. I know that Baylor College of Medicine does a lot of collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center as well. Generally, anyone in the Houston Texas Medical Center doing cancer research will be wanting to collaborate with MD Anderson for the expertise in cancer for both basic research and translational clinical trials. Obviously this is all anecdotal and take it with a grain of salt. My opinion will be slightly biased given that I did a clinical observership with the dept. of leukemia and stem cell research at MD Anderson and Baylor is one of my top choices. My bf interviewed at UTSW last month for their school of medicine and said he really enjoyed it. The faculty were welcoming and the facilities are top notch, right in downtown Dallas.

It looks like you're interested in nyc area schools, which are generally pretty competitive programs with Rockefeller, NYU, and Weill especially so. I would look into joining an academic microbiology lab full time with the goal of publishing/co-authoring a paper, some significant oral or poster presentations, or traveling to a national conference. In general graduate programs will be looking mainly into significant research experience and really strong recommendation letters. By joining a lab you'll get additional research experience and hopefully a solid letter out of the PI. You could also consider joining a public health laboratory. The New York Department of Health Wadsworth Center would be a great place to look for full time jobs. I know this center has a lot of academic opportunities as well so you could potentially publish while working their. During your gap year if you 1) enhance your research experience in microbiology 2) get a solid recommendation letter from a PI 3)refine your personal/research statements. I'm also in my gap year and I'm currently working at the Department of Health in an Arbovirus-entomology lab. It's been a great experience so far. I got a strong rec letter out of it, some solid technical skills with molecular virology assays, and with the potential to publish. Good luck!! rooting for you!

How does UTSW compare to BCM in Houston?

Thanks for the input!

For interviews, what was the attire of the male applicants? I figured that khakis/chinos and a button down with some leather shoes are the standard but did some wear blazers/sports jackets or go without?

Does anyone know if Weill Cornell (immunology and microbial pathogenesis) and Columbia IPCMB (microbiology immunology and infection) are done sending out interviews? I'm assuming those that havn't heard back by now it's a no go.

Hi, it must be very exciting to see your daughter express an interest at such a relatively young age! A bit of background on me: I'm applying to graduate phd programs for fall 2018 and I have a younger brother in 12th grade that is also interested in research, he made an early decision to attend Rice University come fall. Undergraduate research is VERY important but pursuing one in the exact area of graduate school interest is not necessarily the end all be all. I did three years of undergraduate research in a neurobiology lab that investigates rehabilitation after ischemic stroke but for graduate schools I am much more interested in molecular virology/microbiology. Pursuing a significant, multiyear undergraduate research experience is much more important. These factors will vary based on the undergraduate school your daughter will get into. Some labs may be accepting undergrads, some may not, so the choices will be limited based on who is looking for what. In general, I would look into undergraduate schools that have a large emphasis on research and are well funded. Smaller liberal arts colleges will have more limited research experiences compared to large state schools that have large life sciences programs. I went to UT Austin and all tenure track professors conduct some sort of research on campus. Additionally, the school of natural sciences has a "Freshman Research Initiative" program that will match interested freshman undergraduates in a research lab their second semester. I would look for universities that have programs like these. Applying to universities in the traditional manner is great advice, generally 3 reach schools, 3 target, and 3 backup - or some sort of combination in that. Let me know if you have anymore questions!

I'll also be interviewing in New York soon. What did most interviewees wear? Some people on Grad Cafe say just slacks and a button down, others say wear a sports jacket, some say wear suits. Did any of the questions catch you off guard? What made it feel 'aggressive'? Congrats on your Mt. Sinai interview, it's an excellent school!

I'm a domestic student and heard from NYU Sackler Microbiology/immunology and inflammation yesterday for an interview March 1/2

I'm also applying to similar schools as you. Houstonian here what programs did you apply to? I am microbiology/virology/immunology

You applied to the BCMB allied program? Do you know when the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis program will send out invites/if they already have?

Thanks for the suggestion! Found it very helpful.

Thanks for the link and insight!

Do you know what the likelihood of acceptances after interviews are?

yeah, I'm also curious to know what the statistics are on interviewee to acceptance. If you find any links please tag me!

Thanks yeah I'd be curious to know! Do you know what the rate of admissions is AFTER someone gets an interview for schools like MD Anderson/WashU?

Ok good to know! I applied to the molecular virology and microbiology dept.

Which program within MD Anderson did you apply to? Neuroscience?

anyone hear back from Baylor College of Medicine or know the interview stats and admissions stats after interview?

Interview weekends are usually through February and early march. Many of the programs post official interview dates. Given that, interview invitations are extended December and even through February. It'll totally depend on the school you're applying to but also by the program within the school. no need to start freaking out until Feb/march! I'm sure you will get several interviews from the 20 you applied to!!

Hey guys, I'm planning on applying this coming cycle - fall 2018 to a molecular virology/ microbiology program. Any and all help would be super duper appreciated!! - thanks in advance Undergrad Institution: University of Texas at Austin graduated this past may 2017 Major(s): Public Health Infectious Diseases Minor(s): none GPA in Major: 3.6 Overall GPA: 3.55 (4.0 in my last semester) Position in Class: top quarter? I'm not sure. Type of Student: domestic, male, LGBT GRE Scores (New): Q: 151 (51st) :,( V: 157 (76th) W: 4.5 (82nd) So this is the second GRE i've taken and I know my quant score is low, I really, really struggle at math. But is it too low where schools will filter out my application by that statistic? Should I retake it again? I have taken the MCAT and scored at the 87th percentile on the "Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems". - i know it's MCAT and i don't know if graduate schools even care about it, but it's there. Research Experience: Behavioral neuroscience lab for 3+ years that investigates rehabilitation in animal models (rat and mouse models) after ischemia to the motor cortex. The lab does a lot of studies into vasculature and dendritic spine recovery during neurorehabilitation and neuralrepair after infarct. so it's much more neuro oriented than the "behavior" part. I just finished the draft of my manuscript and submitted it to my PI for review. Our goal is to submit it for publicaiton soon, we have a journal in mind and one that she has a good history with. For the same research, I presented it at the Clinically Applied Rehabilitation Engineering symposium at my university. I was also one of five abstracts selected to present orally at the American Society for Neurorehabilitation annual meeting in san diego. co-poster presentation at the society for neuroscience annaul meeting, also in san diego. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: like dean's list once or twice and I got an honors scholarship ($1000) at the end of my freshman year. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: -TA for Genetics for 2 semester, I got really good reviews from the students course-instructor surveys at the end of it. -clincial observership program at MD Anderson in houston for 1 summer. I did rotations in leukemia and surgery. This was mostly for when I was pre-med so idk how pertinent this is for grad school. I just graduated from UT this past may and in my gap year I'm currently hired on as a microbiologist (class: II) at the Texas Department of State Health Services in a survelliance Arbovirus lab in Austin, Texas. I work with Zika, Dengue, Chikunguna, WEE, EEE, and West Nile virus. A lot of the work I do is along side people who are 10-15 years older than me that hold Masters and PhD's in the field - to give you perspective. We do RT-PCR and a combination of cellular work to survey for these viruses. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I was an officer and team captain of the Polo team at my school. it's just a fun thing i did on the side. I have a significant amount of community service in a couple different organizations. Special Bonus Points: being gay? it's 2017 and idk if it counts for anything anymore. I probabbly won't "declare" this on the app specifically unnless there is a specific part where they might ask. I'll also have a very strong rec letter from the PI that i work for. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I had to Q drop two classes but I can explain my way through those. I got a C+ in calculus. I can't do math to save my life SOS. Applying to Where: Looking into applying at the molecular virology/microbiology programs at these schools. - weill cornell - columbia - NYU biology - NYU sackler (anyone know what the pro's and con's are of doing a traditional university based Ph.D. or one at a med school? I'm assuming the clinically applied research there?) - baylor college of medicine - UT Health Science Center Houston maybe UTMB galveston. So in short, does my GRE quant score stick out too much? is it going to be a deal breaker? I know there are cut offs and I won't be as competitive but is my score lethal? Baylor, Columbia, and cornell are dream schools but now with my GRE I don't know if I can get there anymore... Let me know what you guys think, thanks for your time!

Hey guys, I posted my profile before but have a couple questions and updates.. I'm planning on applying this coming cycle - fall 2018. Any and all help would be super duper appreciated!! - thanks in advance Undergrad Institution: University of Texas at Austin graduated this past may 2017 Major(s): Public Health Infectious Diseases Minor(s): none GPA in Major: 3.6 Overall GPA: 3.55 (4.0 in my last semester) Position in Class: top quarter? I'm not sure. Type of Student: domestic, male, LGBT GRE Scores (New): Q: 151 (51st) :,( V: 157 (76th) W: 4.5 (82nd) So this is the second GRE i've taken and I know my quant score is low, I really, really struggle at math. But is it too low where schools will filter out my application by that statistic? Should I retake it again? I have taken the MCAT and scored at the 87th percentile on the "Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems". - i know it's MCAT and i don't know if graduate schools even care about it, but it's there. Research Experience: Behavioral neuroscience lab for 3+ years that investigates rehabilitation in animal models (rat and mouse models) after ischemia to the motor cortex. The lab does a lot of studies into vasculature and dendritic spine recovery during neurorehabilitation and neuralrepair after infarct. so it's much more neuro oriented than the "behavior" part. I just finished the draft of my manuscript and submitted it to my PI for review. Our goal is to submit it for publicaiton soon, we have a journal in mind and one that she has a good history with. For the same research, I presented it at the Clinically Applied Rehabilitation Engineering symposium at my university. I was also one of five abstracts selected to present orally at the American Society for Neurorehabilitation annual meeting in san diego. co-poster presentation at the society for neuroscience annaul meeting, also in san diego. I just graduated from UT this past may and in my gap year I'm currently hired on as a microbiologist (class: II) at the Texas Department of State Health Services in a survelliance Arbovirus lab in Austin, Texas. I work with Zika, Dengue, Chikunguna, WEE, EEE, and West Nile virus. A lot of the work I do is along side people who are 10-15 years older than me that hold Masters and PhD's in the field - to give you perspective. We do RT-PCR and a combination of cellular work to survey for these viruses. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: like dean's list once or twice and I got an honors scholarship ($1000) at the end of my freshman year. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: -TA for Genetics for 2 semester, I got really good reviews from the students course-instructor surveys at the end of it. -clincial observership program at MD Anderson in houston for 1 summer. I did rotations in leukemia and surgery. This was mostly for when I was pre-med so idk how pertinent this is for grad school. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I was an officer and team captain of the Polo team at my school. it's just a fun thing i did on the side. I have a significant amount of community service in a couple different organizations. Special Bonus Points: being gay? it's 2017 and idk if it counts for anything anymore. I probabbly won't "declare" this on the app specifically unnless there is a specific part where they might ask. I'll also have a very strong rec letter from the PI that i work for. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I had to Q drop two classes but I can explain my way through those. I got a C+ in calculus. I can't do math to save my life SOS. Applying to Where: Looking into applying at the molecular virology/microbiology programs at these schools. - weill cornell - columbia - NYU biology - NYU sackler (anyone know what the pro's and con's are of doing a traditional university based Ph.D. or one at a med school? I'm assuming the clinically applied research there?) - baylor college of medicine - UT Health Science Center Houston maybe UTMB galveston. So in short, does my GRE quant score stick out too much? is it going to be a deal breaker? I know there are cut offs and I won't be as competitive but is my score lethal? Baylor, Columbia, and cornell are dream schools but now with my GRE I don't know if I can get there anymore... Let me know what you guys think, thanks for for time, OT