microbenerd2018

Hi! I am a tech at UVA and I know a lot of graduate students in BIMS (immuno included!). Do you have any specific questions? Also - cville is great! It’s a little small and traffic sucks, but rent is really affordable if you live a few miles away from campus. I live with my boyfriend and we rent a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apt (W/D included!) about 3 miles away for $975/month. However, you really do need a car to live here, IMO. The buses are free with your student ID, but they don’t go everywhere. There’s tons of stuff to do, especially if you’re into hiking. Shenandoah National Park/Blue Ridge Parkway is 20 mins away, which is amazing! If you’re into beaches, it’s also really easy to do a day trip to VA Beach. Richmond is close, and DC is only about ~2 hours away. Also - VINEYARDS! If you are into wine, this is seriously the place to be. Feel free to DM me if you have other questions!!

That is so weird!! I can't believe they didn't send you anything after you didn't get an interview. I'm glad you had other amazing offers and found the right fit for you, regardless!

Has anybody else NOT heard from UNC BBSP yet after their interview? I think I'm going to accept an offer from a different school, but I feel like I can't move forward until I have all my options on the table. I saw they sent out waitlists but I didn't get one? I sent an email to the coordinator Monday but haven't heard anything and it's driving me nuts lol.

You're welcome! I also did my undergrad at UW-Madison, too, @StemCellFan Madison is the best!!

First off - congrats on having so many amazing choices! As far as Harvard and Sinai go, I don't think you could go wrong with either. In my opinion, program structure and NIH funding is kind of a wash, along with maybe even research and faculty choices. I think you would be able to find a lab you are happy in at both schools if you are set on virology. At this point, it seems like maybe it would be better to choose the school where you see yourself being the happiest. For me, I knew I wanted to prioritize having a separate life outside of grad school because I'm a little older, so I picked the school where I felt I fit in the best with the other graduate students and where I saw myself being able to complete other goals in my life in the next 6 years (buy a house, have a garden, etc). Hope this helps - I truly don't think there is a wrong choice

If it makes you feel better, I don’t think they would call you to let you know you were rejected

Has anybody heard from UNC BBSP (microbiology & immunology) after their interview weekend? They are my last school to hear back from and I am dying to make a final decision ha!

I know how you feel! I have been very stressed knowing this week I would hear back for better or worse. IMO, if you had positive responses from the faculty you interviewed with, I am sure you are fine. Like genomicsandstuff, I was extended an "early" offer as well. I heard back from the M&I program director initially, and then received an email from PIBS later in the day. I would bet neuroscience operates in the same way! Its possible the committee for neuroscience isn't able to meet until today or wednesday to discuss, and then from there they will hand out offers. I know it's super stressful but if you think you did good, you probably did Keep us posted, fingers crossed for you!!

Thank you so much! I interviewed the first weekend, January 25-27th.

Accepted to University of Michigan PIBS (microbiology & immunology)! I am so excited and also incredibly relieved lol.

Hi! Wow that’s exciting that you are already starting to think about grad school. I personally don’t think the double major would be necessary. I would take a look at what classes are required for graduate programs you are interested in and make sure you fit those in with your required major classes. It would be better to stick with your biology major and have a higher GPA, rather than adding a second major and potentially lowering it with extra chem classes. I would also try to get into a research lab as soon as you can (which you will have more time for without the extra classes!!). Research experience + higher GPA will get you into better schools than a double major. Just my two cents! Good luck!

To the poster on the results page - Duke Molecular Genetics & Microbiology hasn't had their interview weekend yet - it's Feb 8-10, so I don't think there is any way someone has been accepted already. Are you asking if interview emails have been sent out yet?

Oh no! I'm so sorry, that's a huge bummer. I think as long as you aren't coughing or sneezing too much it would be ok. Maybe with some extra sleep tonight (could you go to bed early or sleep in tomorrow morning?) you will feel a little better. Tissues + hand sanitizer + dayquil will probably be fine!! Hot water with a few slices of lemon and some fresh ginger always helps me feel more like myself. Feel better & good luck!!!

Do you have any full-time experience in a microbiology lab? Or really any biomedical sciences lab? I know you said you worked in a lab in undergrad I'm assuming, but full-time research in an academic lab is probably your best bet. It shows you know what you're getting yourself into, because being in the lab 50+ hours a week is definitely different than 10-15. Good luck!! Fingers crossed for you.

Hi there! You should definitely email them a thank you. Keep it short, though. And don't be offended if they don't respond!