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Hi Everyone, I'm applying for the UC San Diego Biomedical Sciences PhD program and I got a draft finished for the SOP. I'd love it if I can get a few kind individuals to take a look at it and provide me some feedback (rip it apart if you must). Please comment that you're interested and I'll PM you the doc Thank you!

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate my profile! I'm trying to have the perspective of finding the best fit to train vs. just trying to get a phD. Additionally, with encouragement from the people writing my LORs, I threw out the notion of high-tier/ mid-tier/ safety somewhere along the way lol. However, I completely understand what you mean. The worry lingers in the back of my mind and I'm still looking at more schools to add to my list. So far, my criteria for choosing schools includes positive stance towards industry collaborations, opportunities for students to take classes outside of their formal field, ties to medical facilities, location (fairly diverse populations), and of course, potential PIs and their lab cultures. Unsurprisingly, this fits most of the Californian schools haha. If you have any suggestions on mid-tier/safe schools I should consider, I'm definitely taking them!

Undergrad Institution: Top 10 US Public SchoolMajor(s): Cell and Developmental BiologyMinor(s):GPA in Major: Overall GPA: 3.13Position in Class: N/AType of Student: Domestic Asian Female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Retaking in October for better quant and writing score.. but not sure if I can get it up significantly. I have a really poor affinity for standardized testing Q: 157V: 158W: 4.0B:TOEFL Total: (if applicable, otherwise delete this)Research Experience: (At your school or elsewhere? What field? How much time? Any publications (Mth author out of N?) or conference talks etc...) Lab Assistant --> Research Associate 2 at Medical Diagnostic Biotech Startup (2.5 years). Not really sure how to categorize the field of assay development. Probably closest to microbiology/biochem 1 patent pending, 2nd patent currently being written Currently helping write up paper to submit to scientific journal (probably nature biotech) for first ever product release. Definitely not the first author on this, but I'm going to be an author nonetheless Holding a company-wide seminar talk about the development of a novel AMR detection method Presented data weekly to CEO and CMO on various projects Undergraduate researcher at undergrad university (1 year) Basic genomics lab studying unicellular eukaryotic organisms Visiting Undergraduate Researcher: Arizona State University Biodesign Institute (2 summers) Early cancer detection research, biomarker discovery and diagnostic method development Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?) Graduated undergrad with distinction in major (Honors) Not sure how to really go about talking about awarded grants when I'm not listed as the PI, but I'm a major contributor. Anyways, here they are: NIH SBIR Phase II AMR Challenge step 1 semi finalist (BARDA) Primary researcher for step 2 submission Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...) Mentor in undergraduate mentorship program for underclassmen majoring in biology Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: In a few months, I can say I'm a key player in bringing my company's first ever product from R&D to market. I'm employee #18 and company is now over 70 people. Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...) Great LORs from CEO, CFO, Director of R&D Assay, and PI of summer cancer research lab CEO is well known. Previously Stanford associate professor in cancer lab. Forbes 30 under 30. CMO is well known Stanford MD. Currently emeritus professor at Stanford with an active infectious disease research lab. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: There's an upward trend in my undergrad transcript.... managed to pull a 2.79 to a 3.13. I really screwed up for one quarter (winter junior year) because of burn out. Learned how to study smarter and better coping/resting mechanisms from that point on. Applying to Where: UCSF - BMS Cancer Biology and Cell Signaling Stanford - Cancer Biology University of Washington - MCB MDAnderson (UTHealth) - Cancer Biology UCSD - BMS Cancer Biology University of Michigan - MCP University of Chicago - Biosciences Cancer UCLA - Biosciences, molecular, cellular & integrative physio UCI - MCB My goal is to specialize in early cancer detection research. Liquid biopsy, circulating tumor cells/DNA/exosomes, biomarkers are all of interest to me and I understand that it's fairly broad. Any suggestions on which schools/labs are good for this are greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch! Originally, I wasn't so confident in getting as strong as an LOR from my undergrad thesis advisor as I am from people at my company. I feel as if I've grown exponentially more and made significantly more strides while working at my job than I did at my undergrad project, but I definitely understand the need for LORs that have more variability so the admissions committee would be able to have more to access me with. I'll reach out to my undergrad thesis advisor and ask if he'd be able to write a strong LOR anyways. Doesn't hurt to try . Thanks a lot for your advice!

Thank you so much Victorious Secret (clever name btw). Your response is super helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to write back. I definitely have much to consider Yes, it is de la zerda. I definitely triangulated on his identity with my description haha!

Hi Everyone, After graduating with a BS in 2015, I've been working at a stealth medical diagnostic start up in the R&D department for over 2 years and I'm planning to apply to some phD programs fall 2019 focusing on microbiome/immuno/cancer . I have a question regarding how much my industry experience will help me in my applications. Some context: I have a pretty low uGPA: 3.13 from burning out during one quarter which resulted in me receiving a 2.97. I tried really hard to bring it back up... and I sort of did, but by the time I figured out how to study well, it was too late.... My GRE scores are mediocre 157/158/4.0. I can try to retake it, but I'd honestly rather not because I absolutely hate standardized testing. During undergrad, I did 2 summers of cancer research and 1 year of genetics research. The 1 year of genetics research included a short thesis and I received my BS with honors. During my time at the start up, I've made numerous key contributions to the product from its research phase to its soon upcoming product release (got my name in several pending IPs). Also, in the short time that I've been there, I've been promoted twice and 3 mid year bonuses. Because of my stellar performance and contributions, I'll definitely be able to snag great LoRs from the director of my team, the CEO(well known figure from stanford, 2 time forbes 30 under 30), and the CMO (practicing MD and professor at Stanford/Board member of various other small start ups/apparently knows everyone). My mentors tell me that it's a huge asset for me to be able to say that I played a significant role in a product from research to final product which is true in industry, but I'm not sure how it'll look for grad schools...especially with my poor grades and GRE scores. I don't have any publications either because.... well my company is in stealth mode. My work experience and research is really all I have going for me. I really appreciate any feedback you guys have. Thank you for your time!!!!! Also, I'm taking recommendations for which programs to apply for as I'm currently in the process of narrowing down my interests as well. Super interested in the interplay between the microbiome and immuno and potentially harnessing that relationship to develop clinically relevant therapies/tech.