mcal

For those who applied/are applying to UPenn: I applied to the CAMB program (under Penn's BGS umbrella) last year, and I really did like it. Since interviews are all going to be virtual (I assume), I thought it would be nice to just share my thoughts on Penn since I interviewed there last year. It was a lot friendlier than I was expecting, and the PIs and students I met were all really great so I thought the environment was overall really good. The reason I chose not to go was most of the PIs I was interested in working with were not taking students for the year I was entering. Philly was not bad also. I thought the stipend to cost of living situation was not bad, especially compared to some of the other places I interviewed at. If anyone has any specific questions about my thoughts on UPenn or any of the schools I interviewed at, feel free to message me!

Hi! So I did a post bac at a research institute (program is independent of NIH IRTA or NIH PREP), and I thought it was super helpful. Rather than being a technician and helping maintain the lab in addition to being on some projects (the RA title is only for grad students so the equivalent job you're thinking of at my institute would be a lab tech), I only had to focus on doing the work for the projects I was assigned to by my mentors. Also, I think only the labs that have a lot of money took post bacs so I never had to worry about money regarding the experiments I was doing, which was great. I had biweekly meeting with the other post bacs and program coordinators to discuss grad school admissions, making posters, presentations, etc (things you would have to do/know as a grad student). I got time to do one-on-ones with the coordinators to do practice interviews, go over my personal statement, etc during application time. The person in charge of the post bac program was also the person who was in charge of grad interviews at the institute so I felt as though he reviewed my app materials as much as if I were an applicant for the program there. I do think this was super helpful in getting me as many interviews as I did. Also, my program paid for us to attend the Society for Neuroscience conference, which was super cool. I never worried about money, but that may not always be the case with other post bac programs and it may depend on where you live. My program paid (I think) 5-10% more than the NIH IRTA post bac. There was no classwork for my program. I just had meetings for my program and then spent the rest of the time in the lab. Other programs do allow for coursework though. I do understand why you would rather be an RA, but I just wanted to let you know I had a great experience doing a post bac. I think either way, you will be fine. They are very similar at the end of the day. It more just depends what you're looking for and how you want to spend your time.

Hi, so I think you have a good GPA and good research background so I think you would be a good candidate for a PhD program, but I do suggest looking at more schools as well because it is better to be safe than sorry. The only Cali school I applied to was USC so I do not have much to say about the ones you want to apply to. I believe they are more on the competitive side so it would be beneficial to look at additional schools who have research you are interested in. I was told that those who want to go into a more industry-based career should go to a school in a location that does have a lot more industry-based jobs so that may be something to consider for an R&D career. In terms of not having a neuroscience background, that is okay. Use it to your advantage to say that your previous research experience in disease and metabolism will give you a unique perspective of the neuroscience field. Make sure you come across as committed to learn about the field and to complete the PhD, capable of doing independent research, and can think critically. That is more important than what your previous research experience has been. For your letters of recommendation: Make sure to give your CV and draft of your personal statement to the professors you only took classes with (in addition to your PI) so they know what to emphasize when writing your letter. It could be beneficial to highlight to them what you think is important for them to include, especially those who do not know you as well as your PI. Anyways, good luck!

Undergrad Institution: R2 State School Major(s): B.S. Neuroscience Minor(s) : Mathematics GPA in Major: 3.90 Science GPA: 3.92 Overall GPA: 3.841 Type of Student: Domestic, Asian Female GRE Scores (revised/old version): Not taken yet, but on practices I have been getting in the low 160s Q and mid 150s V and 4 W Research Experience: 2 years at a stand-alone scientific institute studying aging→ 2 papers in preparation, no first author; wrote an honors thesis 1 year at a lab at my school studying behavioral neuroscience→ 2 presentations (at my school only) Just started a post-bac program this past July at a stand-alone scientific institute studying neurobiology Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Outstanding Thesis Award Dean’s List for 2 semesters President’s List for 3 semesters Received the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Grant Pertinent Activities or Jobs: (Such as tutor, TA, SPS officer etc...) I help at the outreach events at my institute targeting the local community as well as students. During Undergrad- Part of student government for 3 years (leadership) Was on the e-board of a club for 3.5 years (leadership) Tutored high school students in geometry, chemistry and SAT prep Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I attended the Frontiers in Aging and Alzheimer’s didactic research training course by the Pittsburgh Development Center. I met some PIs of labs at schools that I plan to apply to and asked them if they would be taking grad students for when I plan to begin. Special Bonus Points: One of my PIs is well-known in the aging field and my current PI is well-known in the neuroscience field. I suppose the letter from my first PI will matter the most as I plan to apply to schools that have strong aging labs. Applying to Where: University of Southern California - Gerontology - Biology of Aging Northwestern University- Driskill Graduate Program (DGP) University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)- Biological Studies- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics (BMBB) Mayo Clinic- Biomedical Sciences- Clinical and Translational Sciences OR Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Texas Health San Antonio- Biomedical Studies- Biology of Aging NIH/OxCam- Biomedical Sciences Brown University- Molecular and Cellular Biology- Molecular Biology of Aging University of Wisconsin, Madison- Molecular and Cellular Biology University of Pennsylvania- Biomedical Graduate Studies- Cellular and Molecular Biology Cold Spring Harbor- Biological Sciences *I chose my programs based on what faculty they have who do aging research*

Hi! I am applying this fall for Biomedical Sciences/ Molecular Biology PhD Programs. I want to do aging-related research (senescence) and I kind of geared my personal statement so it is clear that it is the type of research I want to do. However, I worry that it may be too specific. Would anyone be willing to read it and give some feedback? Please feel free to send me a message Thank you!

I interviewed with Northwestern and am waiting for final decisions to be sent by the beginning of April. I have the BU Interview next week. I have got offers from labs at the NIH.

You could always apply to the Post-Bac IRTA Program with the NIH. It is not too late since they take people via rolling admission. I have had 4 labs reach out to me since submitting my application and 2 offers.

@Smeb lol thank you and I think it may be a new program or not actually an NIH PREP program. They only offer 3 assistantships and it does not directly say if it gets the money from the NIH. But I definitely think they should update their website if it is from the NIH though. I've never actually been to Boston, but it is a place I definitely want to live in for a bit to see if I like it since I've always wanted to visit. I just hope I get into one of the programs. I would be happy with any of them!

Hi! I also applied to 7 programs. All the applications are in. My schools: Harvard, Northwestern, UIC, Boston U, UPenn, Mayo, Albert Einstein. I also applied directly to the NIH Post-Bac IRTA program for the Bethesda and Baltimore locations.