daauni

Going into this, my top choices for pathology PhD programs were Brown, Johns Hopkins, and Baylor College of Medicine. Luckily I was accepted into all 3, but it has also caused a decision crisis! My first acceptance was Brown, which I was very excited about. I liked Providence, the faculty, and the structure of the program. There are ~6 faculty that I'm interested in, however only 1 PI that I am 100% excited to work with, and what if they end up being a terrible mentor? Also Brown isn't exactly known for biomedical research and I want to go to a school more well-known for biomedical science, so I've pretty much taken Brown out of consideration. What's confusing me is a lot of people (family, lab members) seem very surprised that I wouldn't immediately go for an Ivy League offer. Am I crazy? Now I'm kinda torn between JHU and BCM, but definitely leaning towards JHU. The programs are very similar, with similar faculty (lots of PIs with shared interests), curriculum, and research environment. I liked Baltimore and could see myself living there and I also have a lot of friends in the DC area. BCM seems slightly more collaborative, but I don't think I'd want to live in Houston for 5-6 years (I enjoy seasons and some snow), which seems like a picky thing to disregard BCM for. Any thoughts? Anyway, just looking for any insight/advice. Please let me know if there is some factor that I am overlooking.

Don't waste your time or money retaking the GRE. JHU CMM doesn't even take GRE scores anymore (don't know about Duke) I think having some papers and great LORs are the biggest factors for apps, which it sounds like you will be strong in both areas by the time you apply

So I applied to 7 schools last year (1 interview) and was rejected by all of them. After an extra year in research, I retook the GRE, rewrote my statement, and switched up some of my LORs. This year, I applied to more schools and have 7 interviews. Things are looking much better. As others have mentioned, I wouldn't waste your time or money on taking the GRE again. My scores didn't drastically improve and are pretty average, and over half of my schools I applied to this year didn't even need it. I don't know if a PREP program is the best option. Unless you feel you need to improve your undergraduate record in biology/biomedical sciences, I would just apply for lab positions, preferably in academia (quicker in publishing than industry). I think your best option is to stay at your current lab or look at other labs in your university, leaving other institutions or industry as a last resort. Just work your ass off for 6 months and by the app deadlines next fall you could have at least one manuscript in the works if you're in the right lab. One manuscript, even if it's still in writing, can be HUGE for your apps. Lastly, I agree with @Hamsterball about applying to umbrella programs; they are less competitive and good for people that are unsure about what specialization to go into. If you do have an idea about a track in an umbrella program, mention it in your statement and it shows initiative and focus.

Damn that sucks. Sounds like it's not a good fit or good PI. Any way you can try going into a different lab? If you're in the right fit lab you could get a lot done in the next 8 or so months. It could be better to try a new lab and get stuff done there rather than try to persuade someone who sounds like they aren't very supportive of your future.

I would still do business casual

I haven't heard back either. I was at an interview weekend and no one had heard from Stanford Micro either...so maybe there's hope?

Had anyone heard from Yale BBS Micro or Stanford Biosciences Micro? I have invites from other schools on Yale and Stanford's weekends and haven't accepted yet but they're starting to get impatient...

I applied to the program in the molecular basis of health and disease.

Is anyone interviewing at Columbia? I’m going in February but the travel agency made it sound like there’s a January weekend too. Just wondering in case anyone could provide some insight before I go.

Heard from Columbia Pathology last week! Might have cried a little. Haven't heard from anyone else though.

Found this on last year's thread if this helps/induces anxiety about interviews

Just submitted my last application yesterday! Wishing everyone the best of luck through the process and hope to see some of you at interviews!

Hello! I'm applying for Fall 2018 and really starting to freak out. I want to do a pathology/experimental medicine/translational science PhD program. PLEASE give me your thoughts/opinions/feedback on my stats and ambitions. Undergrad Institution: large public research university Major(s): Microbiology; Genomics and Molecular Genetics (double major) GPA in Major: 3.66 Overall GPA: 3.72 Position in Class: N/A Type of Student: domestic multiracial female GRE Scores: taking in early October Research Experience: 1 semester volunteering in a soil microbiology lab 1 semester in a genetic engineering lab 1 year in an epidemiology lab (where I did my senior project and third author publication) Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Full-ride scholarship for undergrad Dean’s List for all of undergrad Graduated with Honor First Place Award from presenting senior project in University Research Forum Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Peer mentor for incoming freshmen Interned at state public health department TA at ivy league university Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Letters of recs coming from PI, director of undergrad research, and senior seminar prof Applying to Where: Dreaming big, ya know? Please let me know if there are any obvious outliers. University of Pennsylvania Columbia University of Virginia Baylor College of Medicine Emory Stanford University of Colorado University of Virginia UNC Dartmouth ...maybe University of Utah

Hey! First time posting on this. Wondering if anyone could give me their thoughts/opinions/feedback on my stats and ambitions (probably aiming way too high?!). I want to do a pathology/experimental medicine PhD program. Undergrad Institution: large public research university Major(s): Microbiology; Genomics and Molecular Genetics (double major) GPA in Major: not sure Overall GPA: 3.72 Position in Class: N/A Type of Student: domestic multiracial female GRE Scores: taking in September! Research Experience: 1 semester volunteering in a soil microbiology lab 1 semester in a genetic engineering lab 1 year in an epidemiology lab. Where I did my senior project and getting a third author publication out of it. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Full-ride scholarship for undergrad Dean’s List for all of undergrad First Place Award from presenting senior project in University Research Forum Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Interned at state public health department Currently working at an ivy league university (TA and research) Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Letters of recs coming from PI, director of undergrad research, and senior seminar prof Applying to Where: dreaming big, ya know? I’m waiting until I have my GRE scores to whittle the list down to 10, but please let me know if there are any obvious outliers. University of Pennsylvania Columbia University of Virginia Baylor College of Medicine Emory Harvard Stanford University of Colorado University of Michigan UNC University of Pittsburg University of Maryland Dartmouth