BabyScientist
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Posts posted by BabyScientist
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1 hour ago, RI290 said:
Any word on the following?
Brown
Brandeis
UMMS
I received an interview invite from Brandeis back in mid-December
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21 hours ago, factanonverba said:
These are cool insights!
Would you guys say it is a good idea to carry a notebook with you and jot notes during interviews? I carry it everywhere with me and write useful ideas down, but not sure how that would come off in grad school interviews.
I wouldn't take notes during the interviews. It's supposed to be a conversation, and most people don't usually take notes on conversations. I took notes after each interview on what we talked about and what my impressions were so I could refer back to it later.
I also took notes on my impressions of the school in general. I figured I'd need some way to refresh my memory of what I thought of the school when it comes time to make decisions.
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After having my first interviews this weekend, this is what I came away with:
I didn't really need to know much about the faculty's research, just the general idea of what their research focuses on. A few told me about their research, but the interview was focused on my experience, and I didn't really get the opportunity to comment on their research, because it was usually toward the end of the interview.
So long as we were talking the entire 30 mins, it was a successful interview. Either I went on and on about my research experience, answering their questions throughout, or we sparked a random conversation about almost irrelevant subjects and kept on that track the whole time. With one guy I talked about the difficulties of getting patients into studies for half the time (I do molecular biology research, not anything clinical). Whenever I felt a lull in the conversation coming, I thought of a question to ask. With one we just spoke about my general interests, including non-science related interests.
Almost every interviewer asked me to tell them about my research experience. In one of the first ones, I decided to start from the very beginning of my lab experience (5 years ago), which I quickly realized was a bad idea. It was my earliest experience, and although I know the big picture of the experiment and my part in it, I don't have a firm grasp on everything, so I couldn't answer a few of the questions about it. What I did in the rest of my interviews was immediately bring up my most recent, most significant research experience, and reference my prior experiences where appropriate.
There was a panel interview for 20 mins with the entire admissions committee (6 people). It was intimidating at first, but actually ended up being the least stressful interview. I just talked about my research the whole time and they asked questions about it throughout.
Finally, wear comfortable shoes. They don't have to be the most stylish, so long as they're formal enough and you can spend a day in them walking up and down hills (my interviews weren't all on the same side of campus).
The director of the program/head of the admissions committee told me I did really well, so I'm coming away from it assuming I did something right.
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17 hours ago, Molecular_nutrition_2018 said:
My interview at Columbia is at 2/16 and thats the only choice I got, hope it helps
One of my schools only gave me only one option for an interview date even though they have a second recruitment weekend. Doesnt mean anything.
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On 1/11/2018 at 1:37 PM, Molecular_nutrition_2018 said:
I am asking one of the PI at BU PIBS, and he is seeking answers currently too. ill keep you updated
I got my BU PIBS interview the Friday before Christmas.
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6 hours ago, synapticcat said:
Oh, awesome! Thanks so much for the info!
I'm sorry to hear that
I saw a crap-load of M3D rejections on the results page not too long ago.
Curious if anyone else who applied to University of Washington GPN (neuro) is still waiting to hear back too? I've seen some people who have interviews but otherwise haven't heard anything.
I'm waiting on UW neuro too, but I'm pretty sure they're done :/
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24 minutes ago, Wall7213 said:
Whoa, awesome! I'll be going out in three weeks and am looking back to being back in California - I'm currently in NYC but California is home for me.
I guess my major questions - that I don't think I can get answered from talking to prospective PIs - are:
1. Are the grad students "happy", inasmuch as grad students are ever happy? What's the culture of work - long hours and all-nighters or more balanced? Collegial and friendly, or competitive?
2. Do fellowships appear to be sufficient to support people in the surrounding area?
3. Do most people live in student housing, in apartments in Davis, or in the Sacramento area?
Thanks!!
1. Because I wasn't one of the grad students, I can only tell you what I observed. They seemed happy, and said they were when I asked. They had time to have lives outside of lab. They almost always came and left the lab at normal work hours, and had time to do stuff outside of lab (trips, hobbies, caring for pets or children, etc). They seemed pretty friendly with their class - the 3 in my lab weren't necessarily best friends, but studied together frequently and got along well.
2. For California, Davis and the area is pretty cheap. Rent can be as low as $400 for a private bedroom if you have apartment-mates.
3. Where people live depends on where their lab is. If it's a ucdmc lab, it's in Sacramento. Otherwise, it's on the Davis campus. Of the three in my lab in Davis, 2 lived in Davis, and one lived in woodland, which is like a 15 min drive and even cheaper to live in.
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29 minutes ago, Wall7213 said:
Hi everyone,
I had an interview invite from UC Davis's Integrative Genetics and Genomics program on December 21, but am still waiting to hear from the following:
Harvard OEB
UT Austin Microbiology
Berkeley IB
Richard Gilder Graduate School in Comparative Biology.
If anyone else has applied to RGGS in Comparative Biology, I've been told by my PI, who's on the committee, that those invites should be sent out by the end of the week, and they only started reviewing applications on Friday. But any word about Harvard, Austin, or Berkeley would be much appreciated.
Congrats on the Davis interview! I used to work in a lab there with a bunch of IGG PhD students, so I might be able to answer some questions if you have any
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1 hour ago, Otinogonnyo said:
Rejection from Yale Immunology!!
So 3 programs gone. Yale Immunology, Harvard BBS, Cornell CMB.
I am wondering whether the others sent their rejection already?
Applied to 9 programs..Now feeling the application season is over!! Probably will be left high and dry. Any ideas how to improve CV for next year?
Thanks
Have all of your schools sent out invites already? I know someone who had essentially quit because she was only getting rejections, but she just got her first interview today. Don't start freaking out until February.
- Otinogonnyo and RI290
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1 hour ago, Bio_123 said:
Hi everyone!
I got invitation to an interview. They don’t expect any answer, since we will fill in a form to schedule the interview date. Should I reply the email to thank for the invitation. I am not sure because I also do not want to take Dean's time.
I would respond after filling out the form. Just say something like "I've completed the form and look forward to meeting you at the interview." For me, personally, it's like insurance that they know I'm interested in case something happens and the form doesn't go through. Also shows enthusiasm.
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2 hours ago, virology_2018 said:
If you google "NIH grad school interview preparation", there is a presentation from the NIH OITE that is meant to help you prepare for interviews. It seems pretty helpful, I'd check it out!
Super helpful, especially since one of my interviews is actually at the NIH. Thank you!
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What do people recommend as far as preparing for interviews?
Obviously, know your own research. I know the work I've done at 2/3 institutions like the back of my hand. The 3rd was a 3 month internship I'm more vague on, but am currently reading the publication that came out of it.
I have my first interview next week, and I know I should know the research of the people I'm interviewing with (I have my itinerary). 1/5, though, works on something pretty removed from my interests, and another works mostly with techniques I've never used or read much on. Should I have talking points for each person, or is it okay to not know as much about some if they weren't people I requested/aren't doing what I'm interested in?
Also, generally, what should one do to prepare? I'm interviewing for neuroscience programs, by the way.
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1 hour ago, ExpandTheBrain said:
I don't think they even started. Even on gradcafe's own survey there is no mention of BBS Neuroscience interviews (except for the one person that was apparently already accepted with CSC scholarship). Unless you know of someone personally that got an official invite?
I don't. I may have seen that one and misunderstood. Thanks!
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2 hours ago, CMUnate said:
Does anyone have any idea about waitlists with University of Washington (Seattle). I was waitlisted with the M3D program, but thats prior to interviews even. Is being waitlisted pretty much the same as rejected? Or have people actually been offered from the waitlist.
Probably waitlisted for the interview itself. Some people don't show up to the interview or they like fewer people than expected post-interview - boom, you've got an interview.
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12 hours ago, StemCellFan said:
Shoes are tricky... if you're wearing slacks, I think a low heel boot would be alright. Thicker, nice loafers should be fine also. Thicker flats should be ok, but I've found most don't have the best traction and if it's slush outside, your feet will get wet. Don't worry about getting really nice shoes because salt can destroy stuff.
Some amazon links of footwear I like:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSM6Z45/ref=twister_B01MTNNM98
These are more like a flat, but I like the bottom on these:
Some black booties:
For indoors, I know I'd be too warm with leggings under slacks. I think you'll be fine if you have something covering your legs (even sweater tights or fleece-lined tights/leggings are warm enough in this climate with a skirt or dress).
For a raincoat, I would check the weather because it can be unpredictable in Wisconsin. I don't know how thick the raincoat is, but it wouldn't be warm enough if it's under 30 or 40 degrees outside. I'm a fan of thick wool coats and if you find one that is lined, you should be warm enough. Mine is keeping me warm right now when it's just under 0 degrees and in the single digits. Otherwise puffer/down coats and parkas are pretty warm. Hats/gloves/scarf are a must!
Congrats and best of luck to you on your interviews!
Thank you! That was exactly the kind of response I was hoping for, links and all.
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As a female Californian who is interviewing in such places as Chicago, Boston, and Madison, WI in January and February, what are appropriate shoes? Also, if I wear leggings under slacks, am I going to be too warm indoors? Can a nice raincoat count as a nice coat, or will it not be warm enough either way? Is it weird to layer sweaters?
What is weather????
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Anyone know if Yale BBS neuro is done giving out interviews?
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1 hour ago, Molecular_nutrition_2018 said:
For PIBS
Just got an interview at BU for PiBS!
Anyone know about Yale BBS neuro?
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14 hours ago, tet2 said:
Around 6 pm today. For graduate school at mount Sinai school of medicine. It didn't mention any department
Wouldn't you have had to apply to a specific program? Neuroscience vs biomedical sciences vs whatever else?
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On 8/13/2017 at 6:43 PM, samman1994 said:
Your application actually looks really good. The GPA isn't bad, and GRE is fine. Your main strongpoint is your publications (although depends on 1st author or 2nd, you state you are 2nd in one of them, so I assume you are 1st in the other 2), and a good amount of background experience. I think, on paper, you have a very good chance at getting into your schools however, there is on important thing to keep note of. I have seen this before, many people have joined multiple research labs, but have not contributed much to the labs themselves, and this becomes very evident in the rec letters themselves. So if you have contributed a lot to the research labs you've been a part of, and that is shown in the rec letters, then your application is good to go!
Thank you for the feedback!
I don't actually have any first author papers
the opportunity continues to elude me. I have a 2nd author, and 2 later author papers. Another 1-3 papers before I go to grad school, not first author though.
I contributed quite a bit to 2/3 of my labs. As I said, I was at the NIH for only 3 months, so my contribution was limited to the grad student with whom I was working (Although she did say she was putting me on her dissertation, which she just submitted).
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On 7/20/2017 at 5:17 PM, BabyScientist said:
Undergrad Institution: A "public ivy" in California
Major(s): Neurobiology
Minor(s): Professional Writing
GPA in Major: 3.2
Overall GPA: 3.4
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: domestic, white female
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 159 - 73rd percentile
V: 162 - 91st percentile
AW: 4.5 - 82nd percentileResearch Experience:
4 years, 3 labs:
2 summers and the past year in a neuroscience/stem cell lab with a world renowned stem cell scientist
2 years in college at my undergrad university in developmental neuroscience/biochemistry - included a mini-thesis project
3 months at the NIH in a neurogenetics labAwards/Honors/Recognitions:
Community Service Award
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:1 year at a KO mouse core
2.5ish years internship translating scientific journal articles about contraception and writing a layman's chapter about it for an author writing a bookI don't know about pertinent, but...
3 years volunteer at a homeless shelter (exposure to mental illness)
Special Bonus Points:3 publications so far, 1 as second author. Expect another 2-3 in the next year or so, possibly a first author publication.
Presented a poster at an undergraduate research conference and will be presenting another poster at SfN this year.
My current PI will definitely write me a killer letter of rec.
I'm trying to apply for fellowships but who knows.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
I have 5-7 people who I could have write a letter of rec - not sure who I'll ask yet. Mixture of professors and PIs.My GPA isn't great, but it greatly improved during my last 2 years (straight A's my last year).
Applying to Where:
NorthwesternUniversity of Washington
University of Pennsylvania
Boston University
Brandeis University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Virginia
UCSD
It's really a tentative list, I'm still looking, but these schools have programs and people with whom I'd like to work (looking to do neurodegenerative disease research)
How screwed am I?
Hi everyone,
Still hoping for some input on my stats. Any advice helps! And any other schools anyone recommends applying to. Thanks!
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On 7/21/2017 at 5:28 AM, ThinkA said:
I am an international student with lots of research potential but poor grades. Would like some input on my competitiveness before taking the GRE. Trying to decide is I should apply to US schools or focus on Canadian.
Undergrad Institution: University of Western Ontario (Pretty good Canadian research University)
Major(s): Biology with a specialization in Genetics
Minor(s): Immunology and Microbiology
GPA in Major: 3.3/4.0
Overall GPA: 2.8/4.0
Position in Class: We don't do position, but on deans donor list in 4th year
Type of Student: International, Female
GRE Scores (revised/old version): Haven't taken yet
Q:
V:
W:
B:
Research Experience:Current Masters student in Biology, co-supervised in Medical Biophysics.
- Medical Biophysics Lab Assistant (September 2015 – August 2016)
- Honours Thesis Project in biology (September 2015 – May 2016)
- NSERC – USRA (paid research grant in Biology) (May 2015 – August 2015)
- Animal Physiology Lab Assistant (June 2014 – April 2015)
- Immunology Lab Assistant (May 2013 – April 2014)
Publications:
- 1 first author published, 1 first author in review, 1 first author in progress
Conferences:
- 3 International (poster), 3 National (1 poster with award, 2 oral), 1 Provincia (oral) l and 2 local (oral, both with awards)
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
- None
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
- TA in 2 courses (both Biology)
- Lots of volunteer work in mental health and crisis intervention
- On undergraduate education committee for our society of Graduate students
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...)
- Grad courses: Introduction to Medical Biophysics (3.9/4.0) and Developmental Biology
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
Applying to Where:
Hoping to continue a joint biology/medical biophysics type program. I am interested in using imaging to detect fetal fat development, but flexible with research interests.
Harvard - BBS
Columbia - Joint Biology and biophysics
Johns Hopkins - BCMB and CMDP
Any input would be great!I think you should look into applying to some lower tier schools. Your research experience is impressive, but I've heard that schools like Harvard, etc filter out people with less than a certain GPA (3.5, I think) before even looking at the rest of the application.
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Undergrad Institution: A "public ivy" in California
Major(s): Neurobiology
Minor(s): Professional Writing
GPA in Major: 3.2
Overall GPA: 3.4
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: domestic, white female
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 159 - 73rd percentile
V: 162 - 91st percentile
AW: 4.5 - 82nd percentileResearch Experience:
4 years, 3 labs:
2 summers and the past year in a neuroscience/stem cell lab with a world renowned stem cell scientist
2 years in college at my undergrad university in developmental neuroscience/biochemistry - included a mini-thesis project
3 months at the NIH in a neurogenetics labAwards/Honors/Recognitions:
Community Service Award
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:1 year at a KO mouse core
2.5ish years internship translating scientific journal articles about contraception and writing a layman's chapter about it for an author writing a bookI don't know about pertinent, but...
3 years volunteer at a homeless shelter (exposure to mental illness)
Special Bonus Points:3 publications so far, 1 as second author. Expect another 2-3 in the next year or so, possibly a first author publication.
Presented a poster at an undergraduate research conference and will be presenting another poster at SfN this year.
My current PI will definitely write me a killer letter of rec.
I'm trying to apply for fellowships but who knows.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
I have 5-7 people who I could have write a letter of rec - not sure who I'll ask yet. Mixture of professors and PIs.My GPA isn't great, but it greatly improved during my last 2 years (straight A's my last year).
Applying to Where:
NorthwesternUniversity of Washington
University of Pennsylvania
Boston University
Brandeis University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Virginia
UCSD
It's really a tentative list, I'm still looking, but these schools have programs and people with whom I'd like to work (looking to do neurodegenerative disease research)
How screwed am I?
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On 7/2/2017 at 1:01 PM, BabyScientist said:
Undergrad Institution: A "public ivy" in California
Major(s): Neurobiology
Minor(s): Professional Writing
GPA in Major: 3.2
Overall GPA: 3.4
Position in Class: N/A
Type of Student: domestic, white female
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Just took it, still waiting for AW and percentiles
V: 162
Q: 159
Research Experience:
4 years, 3 labs:
2 summers and the past year in a neuroscience/stem cell lab with a world renowned stem cell scientist
2 years in college at my undergrad university in developmental neuroscience/biochemistry - included a mini-thesis project
3 months at the NIH in a neurogenetics labAwards/Honors/Recognitions:
Community Service Award
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:1 year at a KO mouse core
I don't know about pertinent, but...
3 years volunteer at a homeless shelter (exposure to mental illness)
Special Bonus Points:3 publications so far, 1 as second author. Expect another 2-3 in the next year or so, possibly a first author publication.
Presented a poster at an undergraduate research conference and will be presenting another poster at SfN this year.
My current PI will definitely write me a killer letter of rec.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
I have 5-7 people who I could have write a letter of rec - not sure who I'll ask yet. Mixture of professors and PIs.My GPA isn't great, but it greatly improved during my last 2 years (straight A's my last year).
Applying to Where:
NorthwesternUniversity of Washington
University of Pennsylvania
Boston University
Planning on applying to 6-8, but haven't finalized the list yet.
How screwed am I?
GRE score edit:
Q: 159 - 73rd percentile
V: 162 - 91st percentile
AW: 4.5 - 82nd percentile
2018 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results
in Biology
Posted
Anyone know when BU GPN is coming out? I know it's supposed to be late January, but ugh.