aspiringscientist

UCLA MCGD went out today. I was told that Harvard BBS will be sending interview invites at the end of this week. Stanford Biosciences historically sends out late interview invites, I'm not sure if we could expect any before early January. All biosciences interviews are Feb 27th to March 3rd with no other scheduled weekends for all home programs.

HI! So until I know the funding situation for Cambridge, I can't say for sure. Assuming I get into everything and have funding everywhere, etc. etc., it would come down to a combination of atmosphere, the type of research, and how I feel my relationship with potential PIs would be. I'm looking into developmental biology, so I'm mostly concerned about what my research would be and the lab I'd be a part of. Now, that being said, in the process of my Cambridge application, I've already begun to foster a relationship with a PI in my field doing work that incredibly excites me, and that's the main reason I applied to Cambridge and the Gates, and why being with that PI is my top choice situation. I wasn't and am not expecting to get offers everywhere I applied at all, and I want to be at a great institution with labs doing work I'm interested in, so that's why I applied to so many programs.

Yeah! I just edited my above response, realize I forgot to mention. I got into Jesus college last week as well. It was my top choice

Hi there, I was also notified of being chosen for an interview on December 7th. I'll be going to DC; I thought all interviews would be held in DC as the location changes between Seattle and DC depending on the year. Someone from my school (public state university on the East Coast) was selected for a GC two years ago, and he had to fly to Seattle. I'm definitely surprised that the news came out so early, but I'm super excited! I'd be doing a PhD in Physiology, Development and Neuroscience with specific emphasis on developmental biology. Edit: I was accepted to my programme on November 27th, and I got my college placement (Jesus; was my top choice) on December 5th.

Generally, is it very frowned upon to back out of an interview? I was offered an interview for a good program, but there are a number on my list I prefer that I haven't heard from yet. Would it be really impolite and bad to register for the interview and then, if a conflict arises, back out later? Thanks!

Hi everyone. Generally, is it very frowned upon to back out of an interview? I was offered an interview today for one of my applications. It's for a good program, but there are a number on my list I prefer that I haven't heard from yet. Would it be really impolite and bad to register for the interview and then, if a conflict arises, back out later? Thanks!

Thank you! I'm starting to look into faculty for sure. Is it usual to reach out to the faculty at the schools? For Cambridge departmental applications you're required to have a faculty sponsor, but I get the impression that isn't the standard in US programs?

Hi everyone! I have my stats and all below. Members of my department are pushing to say I should apply to around 10 schools - is that the usual? It feels like a lot. I have a list of 10 below, but I feel like they're all really top-notch programs, so should I substitute in some safety schools? and what would good safety school options even be? Thank you! Undergrad Institution: flagship state school, generally well-regarded research schoolMajor(s): Biology with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology and geneticsMinor(s): biochemistry, political science, applied music (piano), and writingGPA in Major: 4.00Overall GPA: 3.94Position in Class: Probably top 10%Type of Student: Domestic female, mixed race (Filipino + white)GRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 163 (84%)V: 169 (99%)W: 5 (93%)B: Will not takeResearch Experience: First lab was junior year and senior year of high school, started when I was 16. Osteogenesis focused lab and did a science fair project involving cell line work and examining morphological changes in response to some growth factors and UV radiation. Worked in molecular plant biology lab for 1 year that generated Arabidopsis plants with variable plasmodesmata permeability. Not too much out of there really, projects didn't pan out and realized the work wasn't for me. Will have 3 years in a developmental genetics lab with hardy amounts of cell and mouse work. 2nd author paper (I'm drafting the manuscript) before applications, possible co-first after. 6-7 poster presentations, as well as a solid undergraduate thesis.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Goldwater honorable mention, full tuition scholarship based on research potential, two summer fellowships for my research (one statewide, one institutional), two other awards from biology department based on scholarship, research, and commitment to the spirit of science, undergraduate writing award, and a few other smaller institutional thingsPertinent Activities or Jobs: 7 semesters of university peer tutor, president of an active political registered student organization, lots of volunteer experience with education access work, advocacy delegate with ASBMB Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:Special Bonus Points: Five graduate courses, expecting strong recommendations (I'm very close with many of the faculty in my department)Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Also planning to apply for NSF - GFRP, Stanford Knight Hennessy, and Gates CambridgeApplying to Where:Stanford - Developmental Biology University of Cambridge - Wellcome Trust Developmental Biology + PDN departmental application UC San Francisco - Developmental and Stem Cell Biology UC Berkeley - Molecular and Cell Biology - Cell/developmental division Harvard - BBS - Developmental community Cornell - Genetics, Genomics, and Development Duke - Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Yale - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology UPenn - Cell and Molecular Biology - Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program UNC Chapel Hill - Molecular/Cellular and Developmental Biology