corgibutt19

I applied last year, too, albeit to only a small handful of reach schools since I was really happy with my job, but I didn't get in. As a result, the panic this year is super real. Planning and having little projects is the only way I know how to distract my brain. I am leaving in March for a(nother) long distance hike, so I've been meticulously planning and researching gear deals. And shamefully, I've also planned out my move to multiple possible cities complete with contingency plans and created multiple spreadsheets with projected budgets based on cost of living and expected stipends at each school I've applied to.

Hi everyone I'm applying for the second time this year -- last year I pretty much only picked top tier schools, but I also simply didn't have the experience as I was set on veterinary school through my undergrad and focus has shifted since. Undergrad Institution: University of ConnecticutMajor(s): Pathobiology; Animal ScienceGPA in Major: 3.45 (combined both majors)Overall GPA: 3.381Position in Class: AverageType of Student: Domestic, femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 154 (56th percentile)V: 165 (96th percentile)W: 6 I am retaking my GRE's this week with a hope of boosting my quantitative. I know GRE's are not so valuable anymore, but I'm hoping a solid GRE offsets my GPA at least a little. Research Experience/Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Undergraduate independent study in "Gut Microbiota" Multiple years (junior year of high school through senior year of college) as part-time lab assistant at major Boston hospital/Harvard affiliate in a research lab; no paper ever published although I believe it was submitted 3 summers of veterinary internships, including a week with the CDC Pathology department (again, was set on vet school in undergrad) 3 semesters/1.5 years doing undergraduate honors thesis (Ketosis in Pregnant Ewes): 1 published paper, 3rd author 1 semester in an equine extension/state equine program independent study: 1 published abstract, 2nd author 4 semesters in state diagnostics laboratory, some attached research projects that I contributed to indirectly 1 year post-bacc as a research associate in a parasitology/microbiology laboratory at a medical school; 3 manuscripts in process but won't be submitted before apps, 1 poster presentation at conference Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List (1 semester only) UConn Sophomore Honors; (missed GPA for Honors gradation by 0.2 pts ) Received a departmental merit scholarship every year President of college outing club, social media chair of college riding team and of pre-vet club Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help/Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Worked since sophomore year of college, including in disability services and as a riding instructor (this has affected my GPA) 2017 thru hike of the Appalachian Trail/2019 attempt of the Pacific Crest Trail Licensed MA Riding Instructor Current PI worked at UCSD for over a decade and has connections with microbiome headsApplying to Where: UMass Medical School - GSBS - Microbiology/ImmunologyUniversity of Colorado Denver - BSP - Microbiology/ImmunologyBaylor School of Medicine - GSBS -- Microbiology/Immunology UCSD - Biomedical Sciences - Microbiome and Microbial Sciences UCSF - BMS - Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Defense Considering: CU Boulder WUSTL University of Washington Tufts Vet School UNC Chapel Hill Penn State My interests are chiefly in the microbiome and infectious disease, with a more translational approach and a focus on gastrointestinal microbiota (although I'm not very picky about this; skin and urogenital microflora are super interesting, too). For example, most of my reading focus has been on the development and alterations in the microbiome and how that effects pathogenesis of various disorders (GI infections, obesity, autism, etc.), namely in humans and other mammals. I work now in a laboratory studying STH infections and wouldn't mind getting involved in the microbiome aspect of this. I think I'd get incredibly bored studying the microbiota of leeches or plants, for example. I don't feel very confident in my chances of getting into a graduate program, and am having a hard time finding mid-tier/lower-tier programs with research that cater towards my interests or will give me a leg up in my field. I applied to four schools last year (Harvard, CU Denver, Baylor, Tufts), and while I wasn't accepted at any, I didn't hear from any of them until April/May and had some professors from those schools add me on LinkedIn, which felt like an affirmation that I wasn't exactly at the bottom of the barrel. I do have contacts at Harvard, Baylor, UCSD, and in STH-microbiome laboratories through my previous labs. I have 2 very solid LORs, but am working on the 3rd (graduated college over two years ago now). I also plan on applying to one or two masters programs as a backup. One other odd point of importance: I'll be attempting a PCT thru hike this summer, with the hope of finishing early August. Programs that begin late Aug/early September are preferable to summer start or early Aug start programs.