Renalee

I applied straight out of undergrad, got accepted for a master's (not PhD), and turned it down in favor of getting a tech job. I think that was the best decision I could have made. I've gained tons of experience and really narrowed down my research interests thanks to my tech job, plus I now have multiple papers and great LORs! I just applied for PhD programs again this cycle (~3 years later) and have several interviews lined up. If you're not thrilled with the program I definitely recommend applying for jobs and trying again later.

Invites just went out!

NYU Sackler invites just went out!

So far I've got: Emory (IMP): January 24th-26th Icahn MSSM: January 10th-11th, January 14th-15th, or January 17th-18th Columbia (Integrated CMBS): February 1st-3rd or February 22nd-24th NYU Sackler: February 28th - March 1st

It was the Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies. I got invited for that program with a specialization in Microbiology and Immunology since I indicated that on my application as my preferred track.

I got an invite from Icahn yesterday.

The integrated program? I got an invite email today for the microbiology and immunology track.

Columbia CMBS (Microbiology and Immunology) just sent out invites! @sbaringer Oh my gosh, that's the worst ?

I applied to Rockefeller and haven't heard back. I think they said somewhere they would send out invites at the end of December?

I just got an invite and I just applied to Biomedical Sciences.

I applied there too and haven't heard anything back, but it looks like someone just posted in the results section that they got an interview invite today.

I applied there! I'll post my stats later too.

Also considering: Scripps San Diego and Weill Cornell. I think I'd like to cut down my list down to 5 schools to actually apply to though. I'd love if someone could give me feedback on my profile!

Undergrad Institution: Large state school, nothing specialMajor(s): Double in Biology and Environmental StudiesMinor(s): ChemistryGPA in Major: 3.89 (Biology)Overall GPA: 3.93Position in Class: Unsure but I graduated summa cum laudeType of Student: domestic, white, femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 157 (65th %)V: 163 (93rd %)W: 4 (59th %)I took this in late 2014 (graduated in 2015). At this point I don't think I'd really do any better on it so I'm hesitant to spend the money retaking it.Research Experience: 1 year of undergrad research in a plant genetics lab, but nothing significant came of it. Have been working as a research specialist for the past 2.5 years (will be 3 years in February) at an institution associated with Emory University. I will be promoted to lead research specialist next month. I have done a poster presentation at one conference, have one paper published (3rd author), 1 paper submitted (3rd author), and 2 papers in the pipeline (one 2nd author and one middle author). My research is focused on genetics and immunology and I do a lot of single cell sequencing.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Graduated summa cum laude, was on the President's List for 5 semesters and Dean's List for 3 semesters. Was also a National Merit Scholar but that was a pretty long time ago so it doesn't really matter. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Nothing besides my current job as a research specialist. Letters of Recommendation: Will be getting a strong letter from my PI and potentially from his colleague who knows me and is quite well known in the HIV/AIDS field. Considering whether a letter from the postdoc I work under or the lab manager of my lab would be better for my last letter (both should be very positive, I'm just not sure if one would "look" better than the other?).Applying to Where:Rockefeller Emory University of Chicago Harvard Cornell Boston University I know my list is pretty top heavy and I've been looking for other schools to apply to but I think I'm too picky. I'm really interested in vaccine development and anything with single cells, but kind of want to get away from the HIV/AIDS field. I'm partial to moving to the Northeast.