[2019 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

On 4/10/2019 at 2:33 PM, MLC2019 said:

Help (PLEASE)! Should I go to UCSF or MIT? I'm from the Bay Area and would like to experience living somewhere else, but I'm also worried that being away from my family for 6 years would be so difficult. I am interested in a similar number of faculty at both places, but felt more comfortable overall (with faculty and students) at SF. I think it's probably because of this complex that I'm simply not good enough to go to MIT, even though I know UCSF is of very similar caliber. UCSF would probably be a safer option for me, but I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing. Any advice would be GREATLY GREATLY appreciated.

This is tricky. I was facing a similar decision and just recently chose UCSF over Yale. The best advice I got was to go where you feel most comfortable. UCSF had a friendly, open vibe that I did not get on the east coast. There's something to be said for leaving home, but you can always do that for your postdoc/job after grad school. At the end of the day though you're likely going to succeed wherever you go! You've already been accepted to both schools, so don't let self doubt get you down!

Happy to chat over DM, too! 

[2019 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

Undergrad Institution: State flagship school, R1 research
Major(s): Biology, cell/molecular
Minor(s): Chemistry, music
GPA in Major: 3.99
Overall GPA: 3.993
Position in Class: Top 5% Magna Cum Laude
Type of Student: Domestic white female

GRE Scores:
Q: 161
V: 164
W: 4.5
B: Not taking

Research Experience: 2 years in current cell biology lab, including 1 gap year full time as lab manager. 1 summer NIH internship program in immunology lab, 1 previous semester in undergraduate intro-to-research program in a biochem lab. 1 3rd author publication in submission process. Upcoming poster at ASCB meeting.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 8 semesters on the Dean's list, 4 yrs full ride scholarship from university, Biology department scholarship, private undergraduate research fellowship

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 4 semesters cell biology TA, 1 semester biological diversity TA, organized undergrad journal club course for evolutionary health interest group

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Lots of extracurricular music activities, but not very relevant

Special Bonus Points: female from extremely religious/conservative area; not much exposure to science before college

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Was premed until third bout of cancer this year and I realized all I want to do is bench science. Debating if/how this needs to show up in my personal statement. 

Applying to Where:
UW MCB and biology

UCSF Tetrad

Oregon IMB (maybe)

Michigan MCDB

Berkeley MCB

University of Rochester MCDB

Dartmouth MCB

Brown MCB

Yale BBS

 

What do you think? Probably need more safety schools and fewer top tier schools, I know. Looking for mid-tier schools with strong research in RNA and/or membrane trafficking. Suggestions?